Update with FKNK reaction below – Qawra Point is to be declared a no-hunting zone by the Government, confirmed Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia on Sunday.

He also said that BirdLife Malta will be granted a “guardianship deed” which will be signed in the coming weeks to manage the area.

The Minister, writing on Facebook, condemned the “shocking news” that 4 flamingos had been shot on Saturday, an act, he said, that has been condemned by everyone – from the public, to environmental groups and the hunting community.

BirdLife Malta has welcomed this decision by the Environment Minister, saying that they are “happy to see that common sense has prevailed.”

“It is a pity that another four highly-protected Greater Flamingos had to be killed for this decision to be taken, but we welcome the news that finally no more hunting will be allowed at Qawra Point, something we have been insisting on for quite a number of years,” BirdLife said.

Now that hunting will be banned in the area, BirdLife Malta said that it “looks forward to the signing of the guardianship deed to manage the site.”

Update – Government illegally imposes fourth collective punishment on hunters – FKNK

The FKNK said that it is “disappointed that the Government intends for the fourth time to impose a collective punishment on hunters due to an illegality that was allegedly committed by one person yesterday, so that the whole hunting community will be punished.”

“This illegal act by the Government was announced today by Minister Aaron Farrugia without any consultation with the Ornis Committee as he was legally obliged to do,” the FKNK said.

FKNK went on to say that, “in order to add more salt to the wound, the Minister will be allowing BirdLife Malta to manage the area, adding to the many already owned by this entity of just a few people.”

The FKNK is investigating what legal steps it can take against the Government,” it said.

Permalink: Update -Qawra Point to be no-hunting zone, BirdLife to manage area through “guardianship deed”