Be the first to comment!BirdLife and Malta Rangers concerned over music event on Natura 2000 site
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BirdLife Malta has joined with the Malta Ranger Unit in expressing its concerns about a music event being organised at Wied iz-Zurrieq, Malta on Saturday, the 24th of October from afternoon till late, within a Natura 2000 site.
BirdLife said that the event, ”which is expected to host around 200-250 people, and which shall obviously involve the use of sound and light, is happening during a very sensitive period for young Scopoli’s shearwaters about to fledge for their first flight out of their nesting burrows and under the cover of darkness.”
The organisation explained that during this time, light pollution causes young birds to become disoriented, becoming stranded on land, instead of heading out to open sea, risking death. ”Scopoli’s shearwater nest along the southern cliffs of Malta including the islet of Filfla opposite Wied iz-Zurrieq, with lights and noise from this event expected to have an impact on these colonies.”
BirdLife Malta said that yesterday it enquired with the ERA – Environment and Resources Authority whether a permit has been issued for this activity, which could not be found on its website portal, despite the event organisers stating they have all the necessary permits. BLM said that that this event is sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority.
BirdLife Malta said that together with the Qrendi Local Council, they have been working in the past years to reduce light pollution from areas such as Wied iz-Zurrieq through multiple EU LIFE funded projects, also supported by the ERA.
The organisation noted that ”all mass events within Natura 2000 sites require permitting from ERA to ensure that activities on site do not compromise the bird colonies and habitats for which the protected status was designated for.”
BirdLife Malta concluded by calling upon the ERA to ”truly safeguard this site and strive to reduce light pollution at Natura 2000 sites rather than permitting such events during sensitive periods for Scopoli’s Shearwaters. It should not be the case that NGOs have to continually intervene to ensure an authority such as ERA is doing its duty in protecting our natural environment.”
Photo: BirdLife Malta -young Scopoli’s Shearwaters grounded due to light pollution, being released after rehabilitation
