Maltese MEP Therese Comodini Cachia has urged the European Commission to look into the abuse of a Natura 2000 site in Gozo after reports in this newspaper exposed a number of illegalities taking place at Ras il-Wardija in Gozo.
In October and November of this year, The Malta Independent on Sunday published a number of photographs showing how trappers had taken over large portions of the west of Gozo.
The story dealt with the area called Ras il-Wardija, where a Punic/Roman temple is located. One of the photos showed great areas of land that had been burnt. Dozens of trappers were seen in the area operating in earnest - some had also sprayed herbicides on the ground to destroy wild plants in order to prevent their nets from becoming entangled when they lift them to catch wild birds. Two trappers were seen placing imitation birds near ponds to lure live birds down into the traps. Illegal bird lures, electronic recordings of bird song that trick birds into thinking their friends are nesting in the trapping areas, were frequently heard.
The most disturbing development, however, was a group of half a dozen trappers and hunters levelling the ground of an EU-protected Natura 2000 site, laying nets and building a hide. They were using off-road vehicles to access this ecologically sensitive area.
Even if European laws were to be ignored, the land is still considered an extremely important area by various Maltese authorities, who describe it as one of great cultural, environmental and aesthetic value.
An environmental educator and a guide recently sent an open letter to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes. She wrote: "I am writing in sheer exasperation over the situation I have been reporting about... non-stop shots as families were trying to picnic at Sarraflu, and a myriad of trapping sites in internationally protected areas... It is ridiculous how the government is condoning damage to natural and protected areas and allowing the capture of birds with cruel methods... there will not be much left to protect soon and Malta will have failed to ensure compliance to Habitats and Birds Directive."
In her European parliamentary question, Dr Comodini Cachia asks the European Commission whether it was aware of the situation at the EU-protected site and, if so, whether it has sought and explanation of the situation from the competent Maltese authorities.
She also asks whether, if unaware of the situation, the Commission will consider taking remedial action to address this abusive practice.
Article 6 of the Habitats Directive - which has been transposed into Maltese legislation through the Environment Protection Act and the Development Planning Act - defines how Natura 2000 sites are managed and protected, requiring member states to take appropriate conservation measures to maintain and restore the habitats and species to a favourable conservation status, and to avoid damaging activities that could significantly disturb these species or deteriorate the habitats, Dr Comodini Cachia pointed out in her EPQ.