The SHout campaign today were in Pembroke to highlight that the area, which is a Natura 2000 site and public land. “It will be occupied by hunters in a week’s time unless the ‘no’ vote passes,” said the group.

“This area,” said Mark Sultana, “like hundreds of other sites around Malta and Gozo, is today a peaceful area enjoyed by walkers and joggers, and a safe place for migrating birds to land and feed when they arrive, exhausted, on our shores. However, in just one week’s time, this area could be occupied by hunters once more if the NO vote does not win.”

“Hunters literally take over public land and other Natura 2000 sites in Spring and not only stop the public from entering them but kill birds. Worse still, they kill thousands of migrating birds that are on their way to breed.”

He added, “these illegally built hides will be full of hunters shooting, the peace will be shattered. It will no longer be a safe place for walkers and joggers as they have to constantly watch out for falling lead, and what chance would birds stand flying across a small area so tightly packed with hunters?”

Mark Sultana said that “Spring migration is well under way now, with people enjoying the spectacle of migrating birds passing over our islands every day. Huge birds of prey such as marsh harriers, colourful hoopoes, flocks of herons, all looking for a safe place to rest.”

“While other countries in Europe are undertaking projects to encourage birds to breed and recover, here in Malta a section of our society is intent only on destroying them,” he said.

“Let’s not forget that hunters still have 5 months to shoot 41 species in autumn and winter, the rest of us deserve spring. Vote ‘no’ on 11 April to save migrating birds, vote ‘no’ to protect our countryside.”

Sultana continued, “there are 27,000 votes that still need to be collected, we are encouraged by the early voters who voted last Saturday in the referendum. This is an encouraging sign.”

“We call on voters to get and out and vote, to make change happen, and to go out there and draw a cross an X in the box marked LE (NO). We can win this together, and the day after everyone will be a winner,” Mark Sultana concluded.

Permalink: No vote ensures no hunting takes place on public land this Spring – SHout