The Government said today that “having considered recommendations made by the Malta Ornis Committee and applicable legal provisions regulating hunting” it has today published L.N. L.N. 248 of 2013 (Conservation of Wild Birds – Declaration of the Periods for Hunting in Autumn – Winter 2013 – 2014 Regulations, 2013).

“By virtue of these Regulations, the hunting of birds at sea will be allowed between the 1st October 2013 and the 31st January 2014, whilst the hunting of birds on land shall be permitted between the 1st September 2013 and the 31st January 2014, between two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset on any day between Monday and Saturday and between two hours before sunrise and 1.00pm in the afternoon on Sundays and public holidays, provided that hunting on land between the 15th September 2013 and the 7th October 2013 will not be permitted from Monday to Saturday after 7.00 pm and two hours before sunrise of the next following day,” the Government said.

It added that, “this measure is being implemented as an additional safeguard for the passage of migrating protected birds.”

The Government said that “it should be noted that over the past few years, a hunting “curfew” was imposed during the period between 15th and 30th September prohibiting all hunting after 3pm during this period.

“Recognising that this ‘curfew’ was considered to have deprived law-abiding hunters from hunting opportunities in the afternoon, whilst at the same time recognising the need to strengthen enforcement and safeguard the passage of protected birds of prey, the Government has decided to limit the applicability of the “curfew” to 7pm.”

The Government said that “this will ensure additional protection during the time when the roosting birds are most vulnerable, whilst extending the period of this measure up to 7th of October in order to ensure greater protection for birds of prey migrating during the first week of October. Should this measure be abused, the Government will consider other, stricter options.”

“Enforcement presence in the field during the hunting season, particularly during the peak passage of protected birds, will be strengthened to the levels comparable to those deployed in April this year during the period of the Spring hunting derogation,” the Government continued.

“A Wild Birds Regulation Unit established within the Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights will monitor the season closely and will coordinate with the relevant law enforcement bodies, including with the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security, the Police, the AFM and MEPA in order to deter and eradicate abuse,” it said.

“In line with the zero-tolerance policy for hunting infringements, the Government will demand nothing short of strict compliance with the hunting regulations established in the law and will ensure that these are adhered to.”

The Government concluded by saying, “without renouncing its own enforcement obligations, the Government appeals to hunting organisations and individual hunters to ensure that no illegal hunting takes place as it is ultimately in their and in everybody’s interest to ensure that Malta’s credibility in implementing applicable laws and regulations, including application of any derogations, are in no manner jeopardised.

“It is the duty of each and every individual hunter to comply and adhere vigorously with the law including by maintaining accurate records of their bags and complying with all applicable regulations.”

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