SHout spokesperson Mark Sultana was in Gozo this morning with pioneer conservationist and former BirdLife Malta president Joe Sultana, to encourage fellow Gozitans to vote ‘NO’ on Saturday.

“I invite all those who support the NO campaign in Gozo to come forward and vote on Saturday. This is the time where the vote is far more effective weapon than the shotgun. Everyone knows what is more positive and what is more negative. Preserving wildlife is positive, killing it is negative.”

Mark Sultana continued, “today we are in Gozo, where we know we have support from a sizable group of silent voters. I spent much of my childhood here. Gozo is a place where many Maltese and tourists visit to enjoy the countryside.

“Gozo has rightly earned a reputation as the greener island, however spring hunting remains a blight on this beautiful landscape. It is on this Island that many illegalities take place.”

“In spite of the fact that Gozo has proportionally more countryside than Malta there are only three localities where hunting is prohibited. Bird hunting is very intensive in the rest of the countryside and has a negative impact not only on the birds, but on the residents and tourists who come to visit and walk in the island during spring,” said Mark.

Joe Sultana is an ornithologist and pioneer of bird conservation in Malta and Gozo, and also one of the first presidents of BirdLife Malta in the W’s and has written many books and scientific papers on the birds of Malta.

“These birds we are seeing take on this incredible journey from Africa, thousands of kilometres across deserts and seas, to make it back to their breeding place. I have travelled all over the world visiting nature reserves and countries but I always look forward to watching spring migration right here in Gozo the place I was born and live. Hunting birds in spring when they are on their way to breed simply does not make sense. Spring hunting is not only unsustainable, it is unethical,” said Joe.

“I was once a hunter too but I am not sorry that I changed because I realised that preserving and embracing nature is the right choice.”

Mark Sultana said, “Spring in Gozo is the best time of the year, the countryside is simply unique, but it is also a fact that in spring Gozo becomes a killing ground for thousands of migrating birds. A NO vote for Gozo will not only mean a more peaceful countryside for birds and residents, but will also boost the island’s economy as more tourists will be attracted to holiday here in spring.”

Joe Sultana made an appeal, “on Saturday, as Gozitans we have the chance to improve the island for each other, for nature and for our families. We have the chance to be true to our pledge to become an eco-island and cast our NO vote for a more sustainable future.”

Saviour Balzan commented, “Mark and Joe Sultana have worked for bird conservation but they also suffered for standing for what they believe in, as they both have had first-hand experience of intimidation and threats from hunters.”

“In the last two days of campaigning Mark and Joe should serve as an example of what altruism stands for: working not for one’s personal benefit but for the good of our environment and community, said” Saviour.

He concluded by saying, “I therefore appeal to all Gozitans to take up the challenge and embrace this golden opportunity for change, and to vote NO next Saturday.”

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