The Interdiocesan Environment Commission (KA) has issued a submission as part of the consultation of the Ministry for Gozo, on the framework allowing a derogation for research on seven species of songbirds in order to establish for reference the population in Malta.

In its comments the KA has made the following points.

The concept behind the proposal

The KA said that it agrees with the concept that trappers are directly involved in scientific projects that increase knowledge about birds and their behaviour. “If well planned and worked out, this can be a step in the right direction to find a lasting and sustainable solution to the issue of trapping in our country.”

However, the KA said that it is seriously concerned about the speed with which it is working out this proposal. “So much is being done in a hurry that, from the comments that have appeared in the media there seems to be a great lack of knowledge about what needs to be done within the same community of trappers – those who will be involved in this study.”

This suggests that a means has been found as we turn to the law that limits trapping and thus offer a quick solution to solve the (short-term) issue of trapping in our country.

In other words, we can’t go through the door, so you say we will try to enter through the window? Thus a project that can have good results will end up doing more harm than good, both to the natural environment and to the trappers themselves,” the KA said.

This project is also likely to draw the attention of the European Commission, which has already warned Malta on the trapping of other species, the KA said.

The KA argued that the “reopening of trapping to seven species of song birds in the proposed manner, when a case has already been decided by the European Courts, is not fair to our country, because it continues to tarnish Malta’s reputation.”

It added that, besides, it is also unfair on the trappers themselves to have a project that gives them false hopes and leads to further frustration. In addition to the environment aspect that the KA is concerned about, there is also the human aspect and the way the project is proposed, you are playing with the emotions of the trappers because you are giving them false hope with a solution that is not lasting.

Scientific study

The KA stressed, that for such a project to be truly scientific, credible and effective, it must be organised under the auspices of a credible institution (e.g. the University) offering experts who can draw up, monitor and evaluate the project. “One of the biggest disadvantages of this project is that it does not have a stated methodology – an essential feature for a project to be considered indeed scientific.”

If the Government really wants trappers to participate in a scientific project, it should engage ornithologists to train and assist those trappers who are willing to train to become bird ringers, it said. “The KA recalls that, in a report by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017, it was recommended to have pluralism in bird research including bird ringing.”

The study of ringed birds has a certain level of self-control because the recovery of (from outside Malta) of ring-wearing birds in Malta is the current evidence that the birds are being caught and released, the KA said. “With the system as proposed, there is no guarantee that the birds caught will be allowed to fly again. This is likely to lead to investigation by the European Commission,” it added.

Validity of results

The KA said that the project as designed leaves trappers free to catch as many of the seven species as they want of song birds, take note of the rings they may have and release them immediately. “Here it is good to clarify that available studies show that birds having a ring are a rarity. In fact, from 1910 until today, the number of registered birds was only a little over 100.”

The catching of song birds with a ring gives only limited information on the countries where the rings were fitted and nothing more, the KA said. The number of songbirds caught and wearing a ring depends on what efforts have been made by various countries to fit them, and is not related to the size of the bird population.

The KA stressed that if we succeed with the proposed project we must make it a truly scientific one, where a bird which is caught and wearing the ring, is allowed to fly free, we can then build a clear picture that shows us where the birds that visit us go.

“But in the way this project is being designed, it seems that the information that will be gathered will be minimal and likely irrelevant. This further casts serious doubt on the true intention following this proposal,” the KA stated.

The use of songbirds and ringing of pre-recorded birds

Here, too, it appears that the project as presented may give rise to abuses, the KA said. The proposed regulations mention birds that have been caught in the seasons 2016-2017 and having rings with the code R16U being used to attract migratory birds.

The KA said that trappers are complaining that almost none of these birds remain, most having died. “Keep in mind that this can lead to abuse as similar can be bought cheaply online, and it seems that the demand for imported birds illegally has already increased.”

The KA argued that the fact that the Government is also allowing the use of pre-recorded ringing for songbirds, in cassettes (which is illegal for hunting and trapping) further reinforces the idea that this project will facilitate the abuse.

“There were already some trappers who commented that they would be better than before, as they can now use seven pre-recorded bird targets without the risk of prosecution,” the KA said.

Appeal

The KA reiterated that while agreeing with the notion that trappers are involved in scientific projects on birds, it can in no way accept what this framework suggests, “which has the potential to further tarnish our name with the European Commission, and continue to cast an ugly shadow on the hobby of trapping.

The KA appealed to the authorities and the trapping community in order to prevent the haste and eagerness to find a quick solution, the opportunity to become a serious and more lasting project ensuring (a) a serious scientific study (b) adequate training to those to be involved in the study (c) a serious guarantee that there will be no abuses and (d) that such a project is one which, because it is carried out seriously and properly, can be done indefinitely and not just for a year or two – as long as set up by the European Commission.

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