The autumn hunting season opened yesterday to the delight of hunters, but BirdLife Malta has reported the shooting of protected species, blaming this on poor enforcement.
"Poachers are targeting protected species," BirdLife claimed, adding that the police enforcement unit is being deployed only in a limited manner.
BirdLife said it approved of the season as outlined by the government last August because it was in line with the EU Birds Directive, but stressed that the problem of illegal practices was still "major".
Three night herons were shot down yesterday at Luqa near the airport, an area deemed to be one of the worst illegal hunting hot spots on the islands, according to BirdLife.
"Apart from these reports, we have had an injured night heron given to us by the police... An independent vet confirmed it was shot, with damage to the head and beak," BirdLife added. Other illegal incidents were reported in Dingli, Nadur, Buskett and Girgenti.
In autumn, BirdLife organises an international bird monitoring camp, bringing ornithologists and bird watchers from various countries to keep an eye on hunters and migrating birds, and report illegal activity to the police.
BirdLife called for a wildlife crime unit to be set up, to operate not only during the migration period but also during the breeding months in summer to clamp down on illegal hunting.
The NGO also asked for fines for repeat offenders to be drastically increased and licences cancelled temporarily.
"The solution is simple but it requires political will," BirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge insisted.
Joe Perici Calascione, hunters' federation PRO, said they expect an invasion of foreign anti-hunting lobbyists who have made it their ambition to destroy anything that is Maltese culture and tradition.
"We look forward to better days when we live to see a pragmatic government that really defends Maltese interests and culture.
"BirdLife and the government are fully aware that we are completely against illegal hunting," he said.
The authorities are there to react to illegal acts. Why does anything having to do with hunting seem to take precedence and lead news bulletins, he added.
The FKNK adopts an approach of internal discipline that is intended to cater for the proper conduct of its members. This system will continue to operate pending the introduction of self-regulation procedures once our members are placed in a situation where they can really practise legal and traditional hunting and trapping in the Maltese islands as had been promised by the Prime Minister in writing to each and every Maltese and Gozitan hunter and trapper, Mr Perici Calascione said.
The autumn season is five months long and will close on January 31. Hunting will only be allowed till 1 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Between September 15 and 30, in order to protect birds of prey, hunting from land will not be allowed between 3 p.m. and two hours before dusk.
Hunting at sea will be allowed from October 1 to January 31, while the trapping of song birds can take place between October 1 and December 31. Trapping for turtle dove and quail is permissible between September 1 and October 30 and trapping for golden plover and song thrush between October 20 and December 31.