BLM urges for priority in environmental law during hunting season

by Gozo News · September 1, 2016

On the first day of the autumn hunting season, BirdLife Malta has urged the Government and police to place environmental law enforcement as a priority during the coming months.

The laws allow for the killing of 40 species of birds during five whole months of autumn, 12 of which also from the sea. The rest of the species are protected both by local and international law and BirdLife Malta said that it "expects everyone to adhere to these regulations."

"September brings with it the start of an exciting time of year for all those who love birds and nature in Malta, with the autumn migration of raptors and various other birds. Every autumn, many migrating birds of prey crossing the Mediterranean Sea en route to Africa seek shelter on the Maltese Islands."

BirdLife Malta remains critical of the fact that during the peak migration of raptors, hunting is allowed until 7.00pm. There was a time when this curfew was more effective to safeguard these birds since hunting was not allowed after 3.00pm, it said.

With respect to the bag limit and limited hunting season of Turtle Doves – recently certified as being in a vulnerable status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – BirdLife Malta said that it is pleased to see the acknowledgement of this issue, but it said that it believes that the measures will not be effective. "Turtle Doves hardly migrate after September with the peaks being in the first two weeks of September."

BirdLife Malta said that it looks forward to work closely with WBRU and other stakeholders in Europe to push for proper conservation measures across Europe to save the Turtle Dove from continuing to decline.

"With around 10,000 hunters, Malta has the highest density of hunters in the European Union. In view of this we urge the authorities, in particular the Malta Police Force and the Administrative Law Enforcement (ALE) unit to put the protection of birds and their habitats on top in their agenda," BLM said.

It added that, "we expect the ALE to immediately take the necessary actions against those who are caught breaking regulations. We will remain willing to assist and collaborate with enforcement officers as we have always done. To this effect, BirdLife Malta will once again be organising its annual Raptor Camp to monitor illegal hunting and ensure that the birds that are traditionally targeted in Malta are protected."

While hoping that illegalities continue to decrease, BLM urged anyone witnessing illegal hunting to immediately report the case to the police and to BirdLife Malta in order for immediate action to be taken.

BLM reiterated its annual appeal for everyone "to obey the laws that are enacted to protect birds in Malta and to report any illegality which may occur during this period."

Illegalities and cases of injured birds can be reported to BirdLife Malta by calling 2134 7645/6 during office hours or our hotline 7925 5697 (strictly only for wildlife crime emergencies) during evenings and weekends. Other reports can be sent by email to info@birdlifemalta.org or by leaving a Facebook message on www.facebook.com/birdlifemalta.