Seven land-based bird hunting licences were suspended or revoked between February and May 2026, according to information provided by Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri in response to parliamentary questions by Nationalist MP Adrian Delia.
Camilleri said the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) had been notified of seven cases involving the suspension or revocation of hunting licences during the four-month period.
The Minister explained that the police notify the WBRU when a court suspends or revokes a person's licence, allowing the unit to initiate the administrative procedures required to collect the licence. However, he cautioned that other court judgments may not yet have been communicated to the unit because they remain within the appeal period.
In a separate reply, Camilleri confirmed that four administrative fines were issued during the same period for offences listed under Schedule VIII of the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations.
However, the Minister could not provide comprehensive figures on the number of people prosecuted in court for hunting-related offences. He explained that the WBRU is sometimes asked by the police to provide technical assistance during prosecutions but is not the authority responsible for prosecuting such cases.
Similarly, the WBRU could not provide a complete account of the number of reported cases involving alleged illegal hunting or breaches of hunting licence conditions between February and May.
The unit also does not hold comprehensive information on the total number of hunting-related inspections and enforcement checks carried out by the authorities, as it is not involved in every case. Its role includes providing technical assistance to the Malta Police Force when requested to help inspect certain cases.
Camilleri also clarified the rules governing hunting licences held by individuals facing pending court proceedings over alleged breaches of hunting laws.
According to the Minister, licences may continue to be renewed while judicial proceedings are ongoing, without prejudice to any eventual court decision.
Once a definitive court decision is delivered, the necessary administrative action is taken, including the suspension or revocation of the relevant licence, as required by the court.
Regarding special permits or derogations issued during the period, Camilleri said that the only hunting-related derogations issued were those covering the spring hunting seasons for quail and turtle dove.
The quail hunting season ran from 13 April to 3 May, while the turtle dove season ran from 20 April to 3 May.