Spring hunting season opens against Maltese interests, for the selfishness of a few – ADPD

The Ministry for Gozo has announced that, once again, the hunting season for turtle dove and quail will reopen on 13 April, bowing to the demands of the hunters’ lobby while sidelining the common interest and the wellbeing of our wildlife and ecosystems, ADPD the Green Party said Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mark Zerafa said: “Scientific figures presented by BirdLife Malta, which clearly show that quail and turtle dove are vulnerable species, were ignored under the excuse that further scrutiny of the scientific research is needed at European level. In a scandalous move, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) failed to take a clear stand in favour of the ecosystem it is meant to protect, and abstained from voting against the opening of the hunting season. If it is not the excuse of scientific research, as in the case of finch trapping, they simply invent another excuse to get their way and keep hunters happy.”

Nominally, no more than a fixed quota of birds may be taken during the season, and hunters are required to report their catch. However, so far there appears to be no mechanism in place to verify what is self-reported by the hunters themselves. Nor is there any effective safeguard in force to ensure the protection of protected species.

The opening of the hunting season goes against our international obligations, European laws, and ultimately against our own interests and Malta’s natural environment. ADPD – The Green Party insists that, as a country, instead of continuing to act unilaterally, we should work hand in hand with our colleagues across Europe to protect the natural heritage that belongs to us all.

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