Widespread Abuse of hunting laws decimate migrating birds

Malta Independent Saturday, 24 April 2004, 00:00 Last update: about 23 years ago

As the bird migration season reaches a peak, said a spokesman, it is more apparent than ever that the hunting laws are being breached on a daily basis in various areas.

The Maltese government has allowed hunting and trapping of turtle doves and quail to continue in spring, from 25 March to 22 May, but this is only serving as a loophole to allow a substantial number of hunters to roam the countryside and shoot at anything they see.

In less than a month since the hunting season opened, BirdLife Malta says it has been receiving illegal hunting reports on a daily basis. Birds of prey, especially falcons and harriers, are being targeted, as well as herons, swallows, hoopoes and bee-eaters.

In the last few days, when the migration of bee-eaters was particularly evident, hundreds of these birds must have been killed. These illegal activities continue to tarnish Malta’s image, year after year.

BirdLife Malta is aware that the Administrative Law Enforcement section of the police are working day in, day out to try to control the situation, but the extent of illegal hunting is such that it is impossible for them to manage the whole territory. It is imperative that the ALE team is reinforced with more personnel if any long-term results are to be achieved. BirdLife Malta has, however, noted with satisfaction that, for the first time in years, some police officers have been assigned the task of enforcing the bird protection laws in Gozo.

Once again BirdLife Malta has been proved right about the effects of the spring hunting season. Protected migrating birds shot illegally include endangered species such as the lesser kestrel and the purple heron. Not only are migrating birds being shot, but the spring hunting season offers little hope for prospective breeding birds. BirdLife Malta says it has learnt over the last few days that a nest of a breeding quail was disrupted after one of the pair was shot in the northern part of Malta.

It is evident that the current laws, and the extent to which they are being enforced, are not acting as an effective deterrent to those intent on breaking the law. Harsher measures are required – such as stricter fines, confiscation of the shotgun and a permanent forfeiture of the hunting licence.

BirdLife Malta has reiterated its call for a total ban on hunting and trapping in spring.