Qawra Point is set to declared as a no-hunting zone, Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia said on Facebook on Sunday morning.
The decision was taken after four flamingos were shot down by a hunter on Saturday – with a man having been charged in court already.
Farrugia condemned the incident, and said that as a result of the incident, the zone will be declared as a no-hunting zone and will also be turned over to BirdLife Malta, who will take care of the zone through a ‘guardianship deed’ which will be signed in the coming weeks.
The incident was witnessed by BirdLife volunteers.
23-year-old hunter Miguel Zammit was arraigned in court on Saturday, with the court hearing how police officers found him at the scene with a firearm and ammunition.
Hunters evaluating legal action against the government
In a statement in reaction, the Federation of Hunters, Trappers and Conservationists (FKNK) noted their disappointment at the government’s decision to impose a “collective punishment” on all hunters because of an illegality allegedly committed by one person.
The FKNK said that the act which the government is proposing is “illegal” because it is being done without any consultation with the Ornis Committee as is the minister’s legal obligation.
“And to rub further salt to the wounds, the Minister has said that the zone will be passed on to BirdLife Malta, thereby increasing the already numerous number of zones which this entity of a few people possesses,” the FKNK continued.
The federation referred to a decision in 2015 when the Prime Minister (then Joseph Muscat) announced that the government would not remain responsible for certain decisions on hunting and trapping, with recommendations on such punishments for hunters being in the hands of the Ornis Committee.
Indeed, the FKNK said that when BirdLife Malta had proposed at the committee for hunting to be banned at Qawra Point on 5 October 2016, the FKNK had protested because they believed that this would be a collective punishment, and the matter stopped there.
The FKNK said that it was evaluating what legal steps it can take against the government.