The Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta (FKNK) said in a statement today that it “considers this spring hunting season as the foundation stone on which the next spring hunting seasons can be built within EU parameters, and a mirror for a just, equally serious and strictly controlled solution to be found for live-finch capturing in autumn.”
“After four years, during which period Maltese hunters were unjustly deprived of spring hunting, this limited 2011 spring hunting season for turtle doves and quails has now closed. This season was opened by the Maltese government by virtue of the application of a Derogation from the EU Directive known as the “Birds”. The FKNK would firstly like to thank its members for their exemplary behaviour during the few hours that hunting was permitted,” FKNK said.
The FKNK went on to say, “this is being said, notwithstanding the restrictions and other measures, some of which unnecessary, while others were very difficult to enforce. This was a very poor season with regards to turtle dove and quail migration over the Maltese Islands, however in the same period one could witness an unprecedented heavy passage of protected bird species, mostly raptors, particularly in the last few days. It was indeed an honour for the FKNK to perceive the total obedience of the hunting regulations by the absolute majority of Maltese and Gozitan hunters. This aids immensely in removing the stigma that we cannot be amongst the most exemplary of hunters in Europe.”
In conclusion the FKNK said that it “thanked the Police Corps who justly carried out their duties and by whose presence as well as through controls and strict supervision, equivocal incidents were avoided and stability was the order of the day throughout the spring hunting season.”