Be the first to comment!At least 24 illegal trapping sites found in Gozo – Birdlife Malta
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“The current autumn trapping derogation is being used as a loophole to continue illegal finch trapping with at least 24 illegal trapping sites found by BirdLife on Gozo last Saturday,” the conservation organisation announced today.
Birdlife said that, “Following a high number of reports of illegal trapping on the island from members of the public, it sent two teams to Gozo last Saturday and recorded illegal trapping in every location visited.
“The majority of sites found were targeting protected finch species, while two trapping sites were found active on protected areas of Xahgri inside EU Natura 2000 sites.”
Malta is currently applying a derogation of EU law to allow the trapping of Song Thrush and Golden Plover, a decision contested by the European Commission and which may lead to Malta being taken to the European Court of Justice.
“It is evident that the autumn trapping derogation is not being strictly supervised and it’s being used as cover for the continuation of illegal finch trapping,” BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager, Nicholas Barbara, said.
During BirdLife’s surveillance on Gozo last Saturday the NGO said that “no police were observed patrolling and monitoring the derogation. BirdLife was informed that the ALE are not operating on Gozo and the Gozo district police could only respond to BirdLife reports with one vehicle. Gozo police successfully apprehended illegal trappers at two sites following reports called in by BirdLife teams.”
BirdLife Malta said that it is carrying out island-wide surveys in Malta and Gozo to assess the current autumn trapping derogation’s adherence to the conditions of the EU Birds Directive.
Birldife said that it “is encouraging members of the public to report any illegal trapping activity to the ALE and inform BirdLife.” For instructions on how to file a report and what is illegal click here.
Photos – Top – “An active illegal finch trapping site- with nets clearly visible on the ground- at the top of the cliffs at Tal-Hellul overlooking the Azure Window in Gozo this weekend.” – Middle photo – “An illegal finch trapper hides his face while fleeing with nets and cages from a Natura 2000 site to escape police at Qortin Tal-Magun in Gozo this weekend.” Bottom photo – “An illegal finch trapper removes cages containing live finch decoys from an illegal trapping site in Sarraflu, Gozo, on Saturday.” All Photographs by BirdLife Malta.
