A bird trapper from Gozo has been found guilty of illegal finch trapping close to San Lawrenz during the closed season in spring 2015. He was today sentenced to pay €8000 and has had his trapping permit and hunting licence revoked for life, Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) said.
The case was reported to the police by a CABS on the 23rd of March 2015 after the volunteers observed and photographed the man operating an active clap net and an illegal electronic bird caller to attract finches to the trapping site.
According to CABS the man is a repeat offender with at least one prior conviction related to illegal trapping of birds.
CABS president Heinz Schwarze welcomed the verdict as a “very clear and strong signal to poachers that the society is not going to tolerate their actions anymore.”
“The fine is probably the highest fine for a single case of illegal bird trapping in Maltese history, CABS said.
With regard to controversial opening of a trapping season in October the NGO announced that it will monitor the situation with up to 3 teams until December and report all cases of illegal trapping to the police.
“In case the season has to be closed because the EC seeks a temporary embargo we will be there to monitor the ban and report all active sites to the police,” CABS Wildlife crime Officer Fiona Burrows added.
Photo: “Greenfinch in a cage used for live decoys,” Copyright: CABS
1 Comment To "Gozo trapper given record fine of €8000 for illegal bird trapping"
#1 Comment By george palmer On October 15, 2015 @ 10:24 pm
Wonderful. May there be many more sentences like this. The birds are singing.