By very large margins, on average around two-thirds, the Maltese are against spring hunting, hunting at sea and falconry, while two thirds either agree or agree a lot with a total ban of bird hunting and trapping.

These are some of the findings of the latest opinion survey carried out by sociologist Mario Vassallo on behalf of The Sunday Times. Held between April 5 and last Tuesday, the survey, as usual, was carried out by telephone among 300 households in Malta and Gozo.

Only 10.3% of those surveyed said they know "a lot" about regulations covering hunting and trapping in Malta; 26% said they know a little, and another 42% said they know "very little"; 21.7% did not answer when asked to what extent they are aware of the current hunting and trapping regulations.

Two-thirds of the population (66%) are not happy with the existence of a spring hunting season in Malta; 16.7% are prepared to tolerate it, while 12% are in favour; 5.3% did not reply to this question.

Only 1.3% "absolutely disagree" that hunting and trapping should be abolished; however 13.3% "agree a lot" with the ban, and another 49.7% agree with it. Those who disagree with such a ban amount to 17.7%, with the same percentage neither agreeing nor disagreeing that hunting and trapping should be completely outlawed.

Similarly, 58.3% disapprove, and another 10% disapprove very forcefully of hunting from boats, while only 14.7% approve and 16.7% neither approve nor disapprove of it.

Almost 80% disagree with falconry (65.7% disagree and 13.3% absolutely disagree). Only 11.3% agree with this form of sport, while 9.3% neither agree nor disagree.

By a substantial majority the Maltese also disapprove of the hunting and trapping of birds only if these were bred in captivity through a special captive breeding programme. Only 0.3% are fully in agreement with this proposal; another 21.7% expressed agreement, while 14% neither agree nor disagree with it. However, 53.3% disagree, and 8.7% absolutely disagree with it.

A majority (53.3%) think that as a result of Malta's EU membership, the environment is being protected better; but a third think that it is being protected less, while 5% think that EU accession had no effect on the environment in Malta. The remaining 8.3% did not offer an opinion. Almost half the population (47.3%) think that fewer tourists will visit Malta if hunting and trapping is not curbed further, but 42.7% think that tourists will continue to visit Malta no matter what happens to hunting and trapping; the remaining 10% did not offer an opinion.

Regarding the abolition of spring hunting which is due to come into effect after 2008, 62.7% agree with this and 21.7% do not; the remaining 15.7% did not express an opinion on this.

A relative majority of those surveyed (47.2%) do not feel that children and young persons are being educated to appreciate nature; 39.3% say they are, and 18% did not know.

An absolute majority (52%) said that a ban should have been imposed on spring hunting this year in view of the threat of bird flu; 37.7% said there was no need for such a ban, while 10.3% did not offer an opinion.

In any case, 89.3% said they are still buying and consuming poultry products.

Asked to comment on these findings, Professor Vassallo said: "It appears that there is a substantial shift in favour of environmental protection in Malta, and in consequence traditional pastimes likes hunting and trapping, are increasingly being looked at with disdain by the Maltese population.

"This is in line with modernity, which gives more importance to reason. Birds are there to be enjoyed and not be killed by the few who nurture the untamed hunting instinct in man.

"This study clearly shows that among the young appreciation of nature as a common heritage is on the increase. But it also discloses a gap in the extent of knowledge on the regulations that actually govern hunting and trapping. Despite the explosion in communication, there is still a long road ahead: it is up to the education system and the media to bridge this gap to ensure an even more widespread appreciation of the gifts of nature."

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