Cynthia Busuttil
Hunters' federation calls foreign bird-watchers spies
Hunters and trappers yesterday rattled their swords, claiming foreigners come to Malta to "spy" on them and accusing the government of stopping afternoon hunting this month to allow these strangers free rein in the countryside.
The Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) accused BirdLife Malta of having lost all sense of direction and of resorting to deceitful information and blatant lies.
Federation secretary Lino Farrugia warned that, although hunters and trappers have not retaliated in the face of provocation, they will not surrender an inch of their culture or their homeland, adding that trouble was to be expected.
The visit by the Committee Against Birds' Murder (CABS), which he described as mercenaries, and other "foreign spies" were the reason why the government had stopped afternoon hunting this month, thus remaining servile to BirdLife Malta and allowing foreign interference.
"These foreign spies, who are being brought to Malta by BirdLife Malta with the blessing of the government, want to get people out of their homeland to be able to enjoy it themselves. They are not tourists but constitute a serious threat of foreign interference."
A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister, denied that afternoon hunting was closed because of the visitors.
Calling CABS "paid spies", Mr Farrugia said they will be going round the island, annoying, provoking and interfering in local life. He alleged they also intend to intrude into private property at night.
The foreigners are coming to act as bird guards and collaborate with BirdLife Malta because they believe the police are inefficient, he insisted.
This year they were combining their mission with that of foreigners coming here for the Raptor Camp on the invitation of BirdLife Malta.
Next month another group of foreigners from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) will be coming over on a voluntary basis in a "premeditated and provocative" campaign against trappers.
The volunteers have to be capable of confrontation and the federation understood that they would be going round asking trappers to register their traps because, according to BirdLife Malta, the government had to register traps until the end of the year so that they can be removed once trapping is abolished next year, Mr Farrugia said.
Referring to posters exhibited in the room where the news conference was held - which said that attacks on birds of prey had gone up by 40 per cent in the UK and that in Duren, Germany, 83 birds were killed in 15 months - Mr Farrugia said charity begins at home and people in glass houses should not throw stones.
"They had better see what is happening in their country rather than coming here where they are not welcome," he said, referring to CABS and the RSPB.
Mr Farrugia urged hunters and trappers to contact the police in case of problems, adding that the federation would be keeping a detailed log of reports by its members during the hunting season.
A report that is expected to be published this month looks at how autumn hunting is not an alternative for spring hunting and another report looking at trapping is expected to be published by the end of the year.
BirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge said when contacted that FKNK was desperate to try and hide illegal hunting and was uncomfortable with birdwatchers - both Maltese and foreign - because they reveal the scale of illegal hunting and lead to increased police presence. Only days ago he witnessed poachers in broad daylight in a conservation area, he said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Petrol price up 6c
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
49 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 15th 2008, 18:01
Obtaining a copy of the Concise Oxford Dictionary should not prove to be that expensive, or maybe, one can borrow a copy and confirm my quote regarding 'Skills in Confrontation'.
Trying to play 'macho' behind a computer monitor gets one nowhere. Neither do persistent insults similar to "it seems that the language barrier sometimes makes understanding impossible" make one respectable and mature. On the contrary, it further confirms my belief that certain contributors are not worth their salt!
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 12th 2008, 18:52
Note: The last line in my previous post is from Ms Zarb Darmanin (I have mistakenly forgotten to remove it before pressing "submit"). ;)
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 12th 2008, 08:27
@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin:
Regarding "confrontation skills" or "skills in confrontation", I doubt that you quoted (correctly) the Concise Oxford Dictionary, seeing that, and I quote, "EXPERTISE TO FACE IN HOSTILITY AND DEFIANCE" is not written in proper English.
So once again, I ask you to google it, and learn about courses in "confrontation skills" where participants learn how to turn a situation that would otherwise escalate into violence, to a situation of calm and reasoning.
This is not a personal interpretation, but alas, it seems that the language barrier sometimes makes understanding impossible.
(Hostility = STATE OF WARFARE, whereas Defiance = CHALLENGE TO FIGHT)
Antoine Vella
Sep 12th 2008, 00:48
One issue raised by Lino Farrugia regards the so-called 'private' land used by hunters and trappers. It is too easy for someone to claim - without any proof - that a plot of land belongs to him. Everyone knows that a large proportion of trapping sites have been set up illegally on public land.
It is high time that the Lands Department issue a detailed map of Malta and Gozo, showing clearly which areas are private. Some leases include the condition that public access be allowed through the plot in question and this 'right of way' should also be indicated.
Richard Cachia Zammit
Sep 11th 2008, 23:20
@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
You doubt what I say so I have the right to doubt what YOU say.
Monica Gale
Sep 11th 2008, 22:33
Malta is a vital stepping-stone for these birds that are close to extinction on their exhausting journey northwards, and this is not an issue just for Malta – it affects all European nations.
The Maltese hunters may not want to live up to their common responsibility as Europeans but the Maltese government should.
“
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 11th 2008, 19:57
Mr. RCZ, what I wrote was the truth. I spoke to CABS representatives and they, in fact, acknowledged that no shots were heard in the area on a Sunday afternoon and we agreed that the Maltese hunters in this area were indeed law-abiding ones. Again, I confirm that a person wearing a BirdLife T-Shirt tried to stop these foreigners from continuing with our discussion. WHAT I WRITE ARE FACTS. If you still doubt this, persons who were accompanying me during this discussion, can confirm what I am saying. Who are you to doubt FACTS.
For those who have not read my comment regarding the meaning of SKILLS IN CONFRONTATION posted on 4th September wherein I had quoted the Concise Oxford Dictionary, I am repeating it below:
Skills in Confrontation = EXPERTISE TO FACE IN HOSTILITY AND DEFIANCE (Hostility = STATE OF WARFARE, whereas Defiance = CHALLENGE TO FIGHT)
Giving a personal intrepretation to this is useless. Maybe it would be wiser had this individual queried whether these 'Bird Guards' are being armed against our Maltese Hunters!
J. Borg
Sep 11th 2008, 11:15
'....mercenaries, and other "foreign spies"...'
I wonder how one of the FKNK reps is pretending to be elected (on a PN ticket) to the EU Parliament, when the organisation he represents comes out with such self centered statements.
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 11th 2008, 09:33
@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin:
I have already informed you elsewhere that "confrontation skills" are the opposite of what you think they are. In actual fact, they are skills for people to be able to avoid violent confrontation in heated situations.
Google it and learn. You'll find several such courses, if you're interested.
Kenneth Cassar
Sep 11th 2008, 09:28
What is to be expected from someone who tells a colleague not to obey police orders?
J Oatmon
Sep 11th 2008, 07:57
@ charlie buhagar
Australia is a completely different situation to Malta, Australia has vast tracts of open bush and desert, for wildlife to live in undisturbed.
Malta has tiny little rural areas for its wildlife - Malta is just too small for bird shooting and trapping, these activities wipe out the local wildlife. 50 years ago maybe these activites were OK - now Maltais just too urban.
I do not call these activities sport because to me shooting and trapping tiny birds is not sport.
John Portelli
Sep 11th 2008, 02:13
I agree. Why do we have all these so called birdwatchers coming in to Malta to interfere in our business. Are any Maltese going to some of the EU countries where hunting is legal and hold protest or watch. I am sure they don't because they will be too scared. Also, who is protecting the these birdwatchers. God forbid something happens to them. Isn't the maltese government capable of controlling this situtian. I suppose not. Look at the mess they are making with the illegal immigration issue.
mark mifsud bonnici
Sep 11th 2008, 01:03
@RobertCaruana
So far I hunted on private land in the Rabat area, Bidnija and in Gozo. Considering the suspension of spring hunting I availed myself of two weeks leave to hunt dove. I spend a total of 8 hours every day. So far I have seen two doves and never fired a shot. I heard no more than a hundred shots in all the areas I mentioned and never witnessed anything illegal. I have confirmed this with other dedicated hunters, they all tally with my findings. I believe this is more than enough for me to base my statement on. The Birdlife reports are untrue.
You may believe all you read including my statement. But have you also considered the fact that the manipulation of the truth could benefit some.
As you theorize, a small percentage of idiots flout the law causing harm to the majority. However it is suspicious that whenever reports are made hardly any convictions follow.
This leads to two conclusions. 1.The reports are false and consequently the police have learnt to ignore them. 2.Those apprehended justify the severity of the problem.
Birdlife only exaggerate matters!!!
charlie buhagar
Sep 10th 2008, 23:05
when I see all those comments they remind me of when I was in australia in the 80s the same thing was happening a month before duck season opens protests on the papers and tv and showing dead protected birds. one time they even showed a swan chick on the news claiming it was shot by hunters only it turned out to be a baby swan which it couldn`t fly but many people didn`t know that and the next day The Fisheries and Wildlife dept made a news statmente that it was a baby swan and ordered the Greenies to take it back to it`s location and the Fisheries and Wildlife also found out that the dead protected birds where shot a month before by the same Greenies then frozen and on the opening day of hunting the Greenies put the frozen birds very early in the morning and then pick them later and they always carry media people with them to report the findings but the following year the Greenies were reported of what they were doing and were arrested and punished because in other countries law is law.
chris mallia
Sep 10th 2008, 22:38
Yes Peter Muscat is right the whole of gozo knows about this particular poacher taxidermist and so does the police many times he was caught and arrested ,but somebody in higher authority makes a phone call and he is poaching again, he carries his shotgun day and night all year round in his car, so you see it`s no use reporting to the police cause when you have authority you have ,many times his firearms where confiscated by the police just they are given back the next morning, another thing he could be a member of another federation I think there are more than one it` not only FKNK there is another one if I`m not mistaken or more
Carl Pol
Sep 10th 2008, 22:07
I am not an informer or a spy. Hence I do not have an interest in reporting anybody. There are enough actors in this farse to do the job. Thank you.
Richard Cachia Zammit
Sep 10th 2008, 21:55
@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Strange because last year, CABS were never accompanied by any Birdlife representatives. In fact Birdlife were busy with their own Raptor Camp which even Lino Farrugia mentioned when he said that to date, the hunters had never had problems with the Raptor Camps.
Sylvana Zarb Darmain
Sep 10th 2008, 21:22
Mr. Sultana, I do not defend law-breakers, directly or indirectly! It seems you have never read my comments. Likewise, I am against CABS trespassing on private property unlawfully.
You really do not know me. I spend quite some time in the countryside, incidentally not wearing high heels. I won't join CABS however, as I abide by the law and stick to public property or my own private land! Notwithstanding this, I have had occasion to meet individuals from CABS last year and we had a very civilised discussion. The only mishap was that the representative from BirdLife tried to stop them from continuing with our discussion!
mark sultana
Sep 10th 2008, 21:03
Sylvana...just when i was about to nail you to a corner you managed to escape. By the same escape route of all those who argue like you. You are against illegal hunters, you don't want trespassers, you beleive the police force is capable enough etc etc.
let me repeat for the alst time, Lino, and i have to say now poeple like you, indirectly defend illegal hunters and illegal hunting. You threaten trouble just because a few foreigners are ready to piont out illegalities to the police.
Anyone walking in the country side should be skilled in confrontation becaues that excatly what you face whne you get close to hunting and trapping areas. You ahve called me intollerant and now even extremist. I won't call you names except that you are far from seeing reality and accepting it.
Stop kidding yourself Sylvana, take of your high heel shoes and take a walk in the countrryside, maybe also join the CABS.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 10th 2008, 20:51
Mr. Sultana, it seems you are unaware that I have ALWAYS defended law-abiding hunters only. As for law-breakers, I feel that these should be brought to justice - definitely not at the expense of law-abiding hunters. See the point now?
What Mr. Lino Farrugia has actually done was to pinpoint that these foreigners are prepared to trespass on private property - something which I am sure you will agree, is illegal. Owners of such property have all the right to defend their property through LEGAL MEANS. Mr. Farrugia also informed us that one of the requisites for CABS was to possess SKILLS OF CONFRONTATION. Are you still following me, Sir?
Sir, extremist comments gets one nowhere. Above all, I feel that we have our Police Force who should bring the few law-breakers to justice - we do not need foreigners. If these individuals come here and act according to our Maltese Law they are welcome BUT they have no right to intimidate any Maltese citizen, be it hunter or not!
Robert Caruana
Sep 10th 2008, 20:50
Everbody can believe what he/she wants. I have no reason to doubt neither birdlife nor Mark Mifsud Bonnici's figures.
Mark you have not heard more than 100 shots - but you can only be in one place at a time, and even though gunshot can be heard for quite a distance, you cannot hear all the shooting (legal or otherwise) that is going on.
As to the scale of illegal hunting, this is very difficult to quantify, but even if only a small percentage of hunters are ready to break the law it can still add up to quite a few. If I remember correctly (please correct me if I am mistaken) some time ago, an FKNK official (I think it was Mr Pereci Calascione) had estimated that perhaps 5% of hunters may not be conforming with the law.
Now if there are 10,000 hunters, 5% means 500 poachers - this number is still large enough to make illegal hunting very conspicuous, to make it difficult to enjoy birds and to make Malta seem rife with illegal hunting, even though 95% or 9500 hunters may be simply enjoying their traditional pastime in strict conformity with the law.
A. Mallia
Sep 10th 2008, 20:48
Last Monday, the 8th of September, a public holiday, I was with my family at Buskett. At 6:30pm, just metres away from Buskett Roadhouse, hence a couple of metres away from the Watchmens' Room, two shots were fired. The police were informed within minutes, and I was told that somebody was being sent! I waited for a whole half an hour but nobody came. The lead pellets smashed on the cars that were in the car park, including mine! I cannot show evidence that this happened, and I did my duty as a citizen to report the case to the police, but it did not lead anywhere!
If the police did not bother to at least come on the spot for such a serious illegality (two shots from within Buskett BIRD SANCTUARY, within a very short distance of a public catering establishment, in the afternoon on a public holiday...) how can there be people who are brought in front of the courts?
Of course, everyone can say that I am not saying the truth because I do not have any evidence! Well, if the police took action to the report, then maybe there would have been!
mark sultana
Sep 10th 2008, 20:13
Sylvana...as much as this might hurt your ego...i have to tell you that you missed the point...by a mile. If you defend illegal driving then you need to bear responsabilities. If you go against people (foreigners or maltese) who aim to point out these illegalities then you have to bear responsability. If you don't control your arrogance and go out stating that there will be trouble, then you have to bear responsabilities. this is excatly what Lino has done, over and over again. Did i clear this better for you to aim..i mean understand.
I tollerate a lot even more then the hunters that asked me to turn around while walking on piblic land, even more then those who climbed trees to throw stoneS at protesters in buskett, even more then those who punched and physically abused protesters in sliema starnd. Even more then those who are afriad that the truth will be out so they threatehnwith trouble when Cabs come over.
Of course i can beleive that there are non hunters who would go out of their way to defend hunting...I might not know why but I can beleive they exist. It doesn't make hunting any more acceptable though.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 10th 2008, 19:48
Mr. Sultana, with your line of taught, then we, as drivers, should shoulder the responsibility for irresponsible drivers, we, as Maltese Citizens, should shoulder responsibility for other citizens who commit criminal acts, etc., etc., etc. This is what makes people laugh..... such lines of thought!!
It seems you found it hard to believe that persons who are not hunters, STILL defend the rights of the law-abiding hunters. Sorry, but you have to accept it: I AM NOT A HUNTER BUT STILL DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS! You know fully well that I have not missed the point, I only argued the way which does not please you. So much for tolerance!!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Sep 10th 2008, 19:27
@AlexEllul
Pcecisely so. Why should anyone believe my signtings or Birdlife's form that matter . I might be quoting what suits my interest and so could they.
So its really not a question of two weights or two measures. But a question of who to believe.
Can you honestly state that all that Birdlfie states is correct. I know for fact that i haven't heard more than a 100 shots this season and therefore find their allegations false.
I never said I was against anyone spotting the illegal element. The problem is that spotting hundreds and never actually catching tha culprit leads me to believe that these reported offences do not tally with reality.
This is why i
mark sultana
Sep 10th 2008, 19:18
Dear Sylvana, very simple CABS will be responsible if they break the law, as much as Lino will shoulder responsability fro hunters breaking the law or causing trouble.
I will rephrase mr prevuous wording saying that the rest except people like you would be either laughing at lino's comments or ashamed. I don't care if you are a hunter or not, but if you aimed the way you argue no bird is in danger because you will always miss the point/target.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Sep 10th 2008, 18:30
Mr. Barrett, law-abiding hunters do not fear the 'bird guards' at all. However, foreigners replacing our Policr Force annoy them indeed. Not to mention that trespassing on the hunters' private property will render these 'bird guards' as acting illegally.
Mr. T. Mifsud, so quick to point fingers! Are you aware that one of the requirements to join CABS was that one had to have 'skills in CONFRONTATION'? How's that for siding with foreigners and against compatriots?
I BELIEVE THAT MR. CARL POL HAS MADE SOME SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS. THE LOCAL POLICE FORCE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER.
Mr. M. Sultana, who is to be held responsible for law-breaking CABS personnel if these trespass on private property? And please, don't you think you are bering presumptuous when writing "the rest of Malta". Sorry to disappoint you but although I am no hunter, I am not of your opinion. In future, please refrain from talking on my behalf. I prefer doing it myself.
Very well said Mr. A. Gatt. I just cannot comprehend how certain individuals are so gullible to believe lies, yet ignore facts such as those quoted by you. Keep it up, Sir.
Aron Tanti
Sep 10th 2008, 18:26
Lino, if you go out in the Maltese countryside witha binocular or a camera to photograph nature, yes you have to be ready for confrontation. I have a family who are keen hunters and trappers, hence I know what annoys them, so when I go out to take some photos ON PUBILC LAND, I know what I should and should not do. This prudence was not enough to get me out of confrontation with a NUMBER, not just one, of hunters. My bitter experiences all happened on PUBLIC LAND: in the Majjistral Natural Park, in Pembroke, just ouside the fence at Hagar Qim, and yes, even in Buskett! The police were informed but the hunters seem to know very well what to do against the very limited police resources that we all know we have!
Am I so unlucky that wherever I go, I face the 'few' irresponsible hunters?! If the hunters/trappers are not breaking the law, then they have nothing to fear if somebody is watching, but it seems that this is not the case! I agree with FKNK that it should encourage its members to report ALL ILLEGALITIES, but even those so called hunters who break the law!
Muscat Peter
Sep 10th 2008, 18:12
@ Andrew Gatt ..... I may assure that I did what I should do and the man I mentioned is doing much worse then I tried to say here.
If you can afford just a couple of hours and go to any Nadur coffee shop and start a normal chat even with the village idiot you will get first hand information within seconds. I am more then positive that any hunter or trapper, we have plenty here, will openly tell you much more then I wrote here.
And if you have more then two hours to spare it is very easy to experience yourself all.I know that all I am saying sounds unbelievable for some but the majority of Gozitans, especially 'in-Nadurin' knows all.
Yes in Gozo we have a good number of persons above the law. No one can deny the truth and I personally shoulder all responsibilities for what I am writing. Furthermore I can openly add I bear no one any kind of grudge.
Alex Ellul
Sep 10th 2008, 17:58
@Mark Mifsud Bonnici: Your comment shows the two weights-two-measures mentality: First you say that other peoples experiences are false, then you describe your own 'experiences', and you expect readers to believe what you say.
Normally its the criminal who objects to polive presence. Why object to bird watchers trying to spot the rogue hunter? Arn.t you and you fellow bloggers all against illegal hunting? Why all this fuss? Your attitude betrays your real objectives.
Andrew Gatt
Sep 10th 2008, 17:43
@ Carl Pol, Peter Muscat............you have made some very serious allegations here, folks.
Corrupt law-enforcement officers and poachers with protection from on-high! May I ask whether you have reported these persons to the authorities? To Birdlife? To the FKNK? To the media? IF what you allege is true, then what are you waiting for? You seem to have names, details and places.
And then you accuse the FKNK of not taking action to tackle illegalities! Sounds pretty unfair to me! I don't know these people but I would be the first to file a report - damn right - so why don't you?
Anthony Formosa
Sep 10th 2008, 16:50
Dear all, I think its time to understand this issue of foreign interference, BLM started monitoring bird migration years ago and FKNK never objected to that, FKNK and individual hunters offered to study bird migration alongside, but there was no cooperation from BLM. What we're against is their objective, even if there isn't one illegality they will create one, just to pursue their objectives.
They already admitted that they entered private land to report any illegalities and no one took any measures, we have no fear of their presence as long as they respect our privacy and freedom. If such action is accepted, from next day I'll take my camera, I'll go on the beaches and start to take pictures of topless women because they're also breaking the law. I will go to Sliema front and take pictures of the dog owners that leaves the Poo behind. I go to Paceville and start to take pictures of youngsters drinking alcohol in pubs, and so on.
@Carl Pol: If our police are reluctant or incompetent to control 16,000 hunters and trappers, then how they are able to control 278,000 drivers and around 80,000 drug abusers including importers and pushers.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Sep 10th 2008, 15:28
Birdlife recently reported in the times "186 incidents of illegal hunting" it would be interesting to learn how many arrests where made resulting from this information. Since i consider this report as nothing but false.
I have been hunting every day since the 1st September and have not yet counted more than a 100 shots so far. This can be verified by any other hunter.
Birdlfie, as usual are manipulating the truth and abusing the media in order to gain public support and sponsorship.
Now with the arrival of CABS and the RSPB they aim to impress all and sundry by reporting thousands of incidents of illegal shooting.
Birdlife Malta, CABS and RSPB are working in close collaboration. They are after causing a sensation.
Illegalities do occur, on a scale much less that Birdlfie and their Cronies would have us believe.
These persons cannot be trusted since they have every reason for manipulating the truth.
Who can verify the truth of their allegations apart from us hunters.
Unless their reports are backed by proof an hopefully convictions of those found guilty. Apart from being just speculation they are to be considered as false declarations aimed at discrediting hunters.
Robert Caruana
Sep 10th 2008, 15:13
The two comments below about Gozitan hunters above the law and law enforcement officers who tip off the hunters when a raid is imminent are very worrying indeed.
Andrew Gatt - It might just be possible that when the RSPB volunteers say 'it is necessary to walk within the trapping areas' they might be referring to the general areas where trapping is taking place rather than trespassing on actual trapping sites; perhaps it could be pathways or roads within 'trapping territory'. In that case they would still be highly visible to trappers and hence the need of skills in dealing with confrontation if any arguments arise.
However, if they actually trespass onto trapping sites or private land, then yes, this will be illegal and the hunters/trappers concerned have every right to take action according to the law.
Andrew Gatt
Sep 10th 2008, 14:36
Quote from CABS wesite: "CABS is firmly committed to putting an end to the killing and trapping of migrant birds on Malta. We aim to achieve this through our migrant bird protection camps, education programmes and protest campaigns, as well as our support for our local partner organisations"
THIS IS THEIR SELF-DECLARED AIM - the abolition of ALL hunting and trapping in Malta, because, as they, Birdlife, RSPB etc all know, we ONLY get migrant game birds in Malta, and a pitiful amount at that compared to ALL other EU countries!! They are using tiny Malta as an example, and this was stated publicly by no other than Stavros Dimas himself - the EU Environment Commissioner!
What do you expect us to do? Offer them pastizzi, refreshments and carte blanche to trample everywhere sticking their-not-so-clean noses into our business? They are threatening the pastime of ALL hunters and our gutless government is busy prostituting itself to accomodate them - and this after shortened seasons, less huntable species, reduced hunting in September, the Spring Hunting ban and pre-EU lies, etc. etc. We've had enough flak and bs. Give it a rest and find something else to crusade about!
Andrew Gatt
Sep 10th 2008, 14:18
@ T Farrugia, on the subject of confrontation, perhaps you may wish to have a look at this WORD FOR WORD quote taken from RSPB's website, and part of the "volunteers wanted" campaign.
"In many cases, observations will be carried out from higher vantage points and trapping site data will be collected using optics. However, there will be some areas where it is necessary to walk within the trapping areas and in these cases, discretion will be used to minimise confrontation."
Walking within trapping areas indeed! when these are legally in use till 31st December! Trespassing on privately owned or privately leased land normally leads to confrontation with the owner/leaseholder, wouldn't you agree? who also happens to be a trapper or hunter legally practising his pastime! Who's stirring up trouble, Mr T Farrugia? THIS is DELIBERATE confrontation aimed at garnering public sympathy, no doubt......not to mention a downright reckless, stupid, provocative and dangerous action that could lead to accidents.
Carmelo Aquilina
Sep 10th 2008, 12:22
The volunteers according to the CABS web-site will have a uniform and will not be hiding so how can the FKNK call them spies ? If the FKNK has nothing to hide why is it getting so hysterical with all this ranting about mercenaries. This is not the 1970s when people could talk about foreign interference without blushing. When the FKNK start asking for more police patrols and reporting the people shooting illegally then there will be no need for volunteers. I have never been threatened by bird watchers but have had many a bully with a shotgun or a trapping site. The FKNK has got to be careful in case some of its members mistake these press conferences as encouragement to physically or verbally attack anyone in the countryside who looks foreign. educated they are.
J Oatmon
Sep 10th 2008, 12:21
The FKNK is being led by a person with extreme views, who is apparently unable to accept any other opinion as valid except his own.
Most reasonable people know instinctively, that to live in harmony we have to reject extreme views. This is democracy at work - accepting everything in moderation and not going way out on a limb, with extreme views or words.
The majority decides what is acceptable and what is not (not just in Malta but in all true demopcracies), if the FKNK is unable to accept this fact of life it is doomed to failure.
I reject extreme views and actions as being unworkable, unacceptable and in error for the vast majority of people. No group should be placed above the law, and no group should ignore the majority of the public's views - or it will fail as public opinion turns more and more against it.
Robert Caruana
Sep 10th 2008, 12:06
I simply cannot understand the attitude taken by FKNK. It seems that FKNK want to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
FKNK states that it is against illegal hunting - yet as soon as any group of people, whether birdlife, CABS or whoever take concrete action against illegal hunting we get this type of response - foreign spies, mercenaries, foreign interference - somebody out there reading too much fiction about spies and wars?
It simply makes no sense to declare that you are against illegal hunting and yet go on the defensive in this absurd way when something is being done about it. Saying that this type of response gives mixed messages as to the way FKNK views illegal hunting is an understatement
By all means hunters are perfectly right to take action according the law if these bird guards or whatever they choose to call themselves enter private property or directly bother hunters who are just enjoying their pastime within the parameters of the law. But otherwise they should be happy that poachers will be reported - after all it is these trigger happy morons who have managed to put all hunters in a bad light.
L Galea
Sep 10th 2008, 12:02
Whatever the situation, and I am not in favour of hunting, no foreigners should be allowed to be here acting as if they are some sort of policemen.
Are we independent or not?
Oh, I forgot.
We are now a colony of the European Union.
Graham Crocker
Sep 10th 2008, 11:36
Watch out for Agent 007
mark sultana
Sep 10th 2008, 11:32
i agree with the previous M Sultana (not related to me i think ) but this issue is really getting boring and ridiculous now. Lino you hardly got any majority of hunters voting for you in the EU Parliament elections and yet you think you can talk this nonsense. You will only please the few thousand of hunters especially those who really break the law, the ones you call poachers and illegal hunters. Lino you're indirectly defending them...yes indirectly but this still makes you responsible. Now that you speak like this Lino, you should be held responsible for any trouble that is caused by hunters along with any other illegal acts and illegal hunting. If i was a hunter I would call out 'bravu lino' and think i can rule the world with my shotgun and will use your words in court if i am ever caught....just keep in mind the rest of malta if not the world is either laughing or ashamed of your words.
Carl Pol
Sep 10th 2008, 11:30
I can assure Mr farrugia that for the majority of the maltese these'spies' are welcome because the local police force either are reluctant or do not have the means to control these vandals. While on the subject I may add that I know of law enforcement officers who tip off the hunters when a raid is imminent. That doesn't mean all officers are corrupt....
Muscat Peter
Sep 10th 2008, 11:03
In Gozo, we have 5 hunters who are really above the law. Everyone is much aware of this.
These particular hunters who seem to be above the law practice their so called 'sport' all year round. One of these notorious hunters who hails from Nadur publicly claims that 'nobody' can touch him. Any one can get first hand information about him by simply visits Nadur and start a simple discussion with any one and anywhere, even a coffee shop or local club, to understand the 'protection' he claims he enjoys.
To add insult to injury this 'new fusello' is a member of the hunters' ferederation. Mr Lino Farrugia should just pick the phone and in one second he will know the identity of this notorious hunter, who is doing such a disservice to all genuine and law abiding trappers and hunters.
Such behaviour shouldn't only be condemned by foreign "spies' but Mr L Farrugia and his Federation should ask that all legal actions to be taken against such a notorious hunter, who is giving the Federation such a bad name.All Gozitan and in particular Nadur hunters knows very well the identity of this man.
T Mifsud
Sep 10th 2008, 10:55
Did I read well? Did Mr Farrugia, say that "trouble is to be expected"? Coming from the Federation Secretary this is nothing less than incitement and these words are music to the hot headed trigger happy hunters. If there is trouble Mr Farrugia should be held responsible for his words.
Phil Humphries
Sep 10th 2008, 10:44
What does the FKNK have to fear? Surely they don't think these genuine conservationists will find evidence of illegal hunting and trapping, do they ?
This 'foreign interference' could have been avoided if the FKNK and its supporters had assisted the ALE and the Police in bringing their rogue brethren to justice. Also, the irresponsible behaviour showed by hunters in Valletta earlier this year did nothing to assist their cause. Rather than crying wolf, FKNK members might question the wisdom of its leadership which has continually shot itself in the foot and done more to endanger this 'traditional pastime' than BirdLife could ever have done. Well done Lino and Co.
M Sultana
Sep 10th 2008, 10:20
The FKNK i always harping that the honest hunters should not be punished for the wrong doings of rogue hunters, yet whenever a picture of a shot birds published they always come out saying that the bird was shot by birdlife or it was taken out of a freezer. What's it to be Lino? are there or are there not hunters who shoot indiscriminately? you can't ave it both ways.
Paul Barrett
Sep 10th 2008, 10:13
If both hunters and bird watchers keep within the rules, we should be in for a quiet season.
It is the rouge hunter shooting in protected areas, shooting at protected birds or outside the permitted hunting hours that bring the maximum condemnation upon the hunters in general.
Genuine hunters legally carrying out their sport should fear nothing from the bird watchers and indeed should welcome the assistance in watching out for and the reporting of hunters bringing disgrace upon the rest.
A. Tabone
Sep 10th 2008, 10:05
So.. Mr Farrugia is scandalised that 83 raptors were shot down in Duren over a period of 15 months....here in Malta given the chance, 83 raptors are killed in one afternoon.