The trapping research period for seven songbird species opens tomorrow, a Gozo Ministry statement read.
"After considering the Ornis committee's recommendations, the government is announcing the opening of the research project from 20 October until 20 December, including both dates."
The trapping of songbirds is highly controversial, Brussels has also threatened to take Malta to court over the practice.
Anyone partecipating will be obliged to report every songbird caught (species and amount) immediately upon releasing them back into the wild by calling, 8000 2020 from a mobile phone registered in their name, or by using the mobile app 'Game Reporting MT'. The systems will confirm the report by sending an SMS back as a confirmation.
All participants are also obliged to write down all details in the ring forms if a songbird with a scientific ring is caught. Every bird caught with such a ring must also be reported that day, as explained in the special license.
Participants are encouraged to take a short video showing the songbirds being released from the same spot they were caught, as explained in the special license.
Participants must also report research efforts whenever they take part in the research project but would not have caught any songbirds by calling 8000 2020 from their registered mobile phones.
Derogation for the trapping of Malvizz and Pluviera
The fovernment also announced the opening of the trappong season for Malvizz (Song Thrush) between 20 October until 31 December, including both dates, and of Pluviera (Golden Plover) between 1 November and 10 January, both dates included. The national quotas are 5,000 malvizz u 700 pluviera.
Anyone licenced to catch such birds are required to immediately report their catches by calling 8000 2020 or using the app 'Game Reporting MT'.
If one of the birds caught has been ringed, they are obliged to take note of all the details in the ring form included in the special licence.
They are also required to report trapping efforts each time they head out for such activity and dont capture such birds by calling 8000 2020 or using the app 'Game Reporting MT'