Trapping information campaign launched
Six billboards are being erected across Malta as part of a project aimed at raising awareness on the implications of trapping on the environment, now that the transition period to phase out trapping has expired.
The message on the billboards reads Gawdihom Ħielsa (enjoy them in their natural environment). The billboards show an empty trapper's cage and three finches sitting on top of the billboards, free.
The information campaign, EU Life + Project on Bird Migration and Trapping, will run for two years. It aims to raise awareness on the importance of Malta for bird migration, with a special focus on finches, the species targeted by Maltese trappers. The project will also highlight the negative impacts of trapping on Malta's breeding birds and its natural environment.
Trapping is illegal in the EU under the Birds Directive but, during the Accession Treaty negotiations, Malta obtained a period to gradually phase out trapping until the end of 2008.
BirdLife Malta campaigns coordinator Geoffrey Saliba, said: "The Commission acted reasonably and gave Malta a five-year transition period to phase out trapping. However, many people are still not aware of the serious implications of trapping on our wildlife and the legally binding agreements. One of our aims is to establish a constructive dialogue with individual trappers.
"We know that many feel frustrated with the situation. We therefore hope to exchange views and find ways to channel their enthusiasm for birds in more constructive ways,"Mr Saliba said.
Malta is an important resting spot on the central migratory flyway, with large numbers of birds migrating over Malta every year between European breeding grounds and African wintering grounds.
The project is 50 per cent funded by the EU Life Unit with additional contributions from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the project partners.
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salvu abela
Feb 1st 2009, 20:36
For those who are waiting to see a lot of birds in there gardens,may I ask ,why is it that ROBINS,WAGTAILS and a dozen other birds stay for the whole 6 months wintering in our island,but when breeding comes they(the birds) all go back to main land Europe to breed (NEST ) there,and some of them return back again the next season.
Edward Camilleri
Feb 1st 2009, 17:48
Birdlife is going to need quite a sum of money to try to change the mentality of some hot headed and stubborn trappers, who do not see anything beyond their 'pastime'. It is unfortunate that trappers and hunters alike do not appreciate a free wild bird over a trapped one, or worse still a dead one. However the country has achieved a lot already, by banning trapping.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Feb 1st 2009, 13:27
FRANCE, ITALY, SPAIN AND AUSTRIA allow trapping for the same birds trapped in Malta.
Trapping in these EU countries is allowed under derogation from the Birds directive article 9. The same derogation Malta could apply.
Unlike Malta, none of these governments were deceived into negotiating a vile transition period. Why should Malta be any different?
Simply because our gullible Government has been led to believe otherwise by its "experts" Birdlfie and friends, that Malta's trappers are harming the EU and Malta biodiversity.
This deceit has, apart from denying an equal right to trap birds as enjoyed by other European trappers, earned Birdlfie an EU grant of 175,000 euro to make their lies public.
Government is to blame for this vile treatment of Maltese trappers. The same " government ignorance" is what led to the spring hunting debacle.
Government guaranteed both trapping and spring hunting to its electorate it should now shoulder its responsibilities should any repercussions occur.
John Borg
Feb 1st 2009, 13:21
@ May Cassar
Keep on dreaming of ever " wake up to the sound of birds singing outside our window."
Joe Camilleri
Feb 1st 2009, 12:27
Dear May Cassar,
if you think you are going to hear the sound of bird song in your garden, you are way off. Hunting and especially trapping haven't been practised in spring for years now. So if you still have not heard any bird songs by now, then you'r still not going to hear any. The most that you can do is buy a bird song casette from one of the hunting shops and listen to it in the comodity of your sofa.
1) it's good to point out that birdlife malta received €350,000 from the EU to run this campaign
2) is this part of the promise that trapping is going to continue after malta's EU accesion??
May Cassar
Feb 1st 2009, 10:47
Well Done, perhaps soon we the general public will be able to once more hear the sound of bird song out in the country and yes perhaps even in our towns. Many of us have not had this opportunity in our life time, perhaps our grandchildren will be more lucky. To wake up to the sound of birds singing outside our window. An experience that one at present can only have during our stay in others countries while on our holiday.
Joe Scerri
Feb 1st 2009, 10:40
Lets see how long before they are all vandalised.