NGOs call for hunting ban in new park

E. Azzopardi

Apr 1st 2009, 18:05

This is a park with people and most of all children, How can you have hunting there? So citizens cannot go in the countryside because RTO is written all over the place and now hunters want to go in there. Hunting in spring is well gone anyway and we do not know what is going to happen to the autumn one. But of course there should not be any hunting IN A PARK !!!!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 28th 2009, 17:50

Well, we may add SELFISHNESS to DISRESPECT, INTOLLERANCE, HATRED, etc. I believe part of our taxes will be used for this project. As such, all Maltese have a right to enjoy this area, be it hunters or not. Why does Malta have to be different from other EU countries? Has the Maltese heart become so greedy?! The anti-hunting lobby wants to reclaim the countryside while intending the exclude hunting from this park! X'tustagni!!!!

John Borg

Mar 28th 2009, 17:48

This has been 'neutral' area for long long years and today we see it still in original state. But it's going to be managed by NGO's who probably will need to make pathways throughout the 'park' for tours; benches scattered around for resting, a kiosk for drinks, toilets, a room or two for a watchman, some more rooms for administration and slowly slowly we end up with a built up area

Jos Vella

Mar 28th 2009, 17:01

Although I disagree with hunting, maybe sharing will not be a selfish idea BUT there need not be any bullying or intimidating passers by of course.

patrick mifsud

Mar 28th 2009, 16:25

why don't you ask that the hunters are extradicted from the island? this is the last proposal i am expecting from these NGO's. leave us alone please

J. Borg

Mar 28th 2009, 16:21

Hunting should be banned throughout - with say at most four clearly demarcated selected areas in Malta & Gozo assigned to hunting - with adequate buffer during the hunting season.

Hunting should be the exception and not the rule - Hunting associations will have the onus to apply and request that hunting be allowed in a specific area - and not the other way round.

I have full confidence in Nature Trust, DLH and Gaia - let's hope that their finances will not be drained by security costs to deter arson attacks, by those who have been having their way for ages.

John Matthews

Mar 28th 2009, 16:08

For information purposes, perhaps the anti hunting lobby should read the following-:

BASC is the national representative body of sporting shooting in the United Kingdom. It has over 120.000 members. Waterfowl hunting (wildfowling) in the United Kingdom is predominantly undertaken on the coast through the aucpices of some 200 wildfowling clubs affiliated to the BASC. Collectively these clubs own or lease hunting or management rights er some 30.000 hectares of coastland of which 98% is of designated conservation importance. This includes land within many Ramsar sites and designated or proposed Natura 2000 sites. The hunting club system has proved to be a rapid, inexpensive, effective and lon lasting mechanism for regulating hunting and an important conduit for integrated management.

FOR INFO-: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/COP7_c9.pdf

Joint effort

Antoine Grima

Mar 28th 2009, 14:04

Has'nt anyone thought of sharing ? It's always me me me me me with the ngo's.And they say that the hunters are the selfish ones.Thing again

C. Schembri

Mar 28th 2009, 13:35

The above link is broken... due to the following comma.
Just copy and paste the one below...

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Majjistral/index.html

I Robinich

Mar 28th 2009, 13:16

Natura 2000 Directive states that hunting is allowed in these sites. If no hunting is allowed due to disturbance of the natural habitat/breeding grounds, no waking tours or trespassing is allowed since it also disturbs this habitat according to the Birds Directive and also transposed into Maltese Law. But strangely enough Gaia Foundation applied for a Refreshments Kiosk to be erected in a Natura 2000 Site. Unbelievable ................................

M.SAID

Mar 28th 2009, 12:58

With what right the ngo's say the park has to be freed from hunters? The park is for ALL the maltese hunters or not. And then you say the hunters are arrogant and selfish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
incredible and unbeleivable!!!!!

Anthony Formosa

Mar 28th 2009, 12:53

Can we make an online poll to have a total ban on alcohol to we save our children? our we prefer it that way, are we part of the environment. Wake up NGOs, why don't you say exactly what's behind all this, give guarantees that this place will not be another mess of yours with the so called sustainable development, I'm sure that even those against hunting they are raising their eyebrows, look at the place it's still in a natural state, but then ?????.

Chris Mifsud

Mar 28th 2009, 12:08

I disagree that it is considered for a national park .... Whilst i believe that it should be taken care of and kept clean and free of any illegal structures , i strongly disagree with it being turned into some sort of park ... I like it as it is in its natural state .

D. A . Agius

Mar 28th 2009, 11:53

This is a proposal that in my opinion is going on the wrong foot.

Instead of placing a hunting ban (which in reality refers to restricting hunting from the legal allowance of a few weeks to a zero period), the organisation should strive to collaborate with the hunting lobbies, creating a joint effort and extending the Majjistral Park to include the Mizied and Xaghra l- Bajda areas.

Working together, both would work for the interest of the respective organisations, limiting the possibility of vandalism and ensure collaboration!

Also, we hope that such a ban will not be extended from the practice of hunting to more restrictions such as at the Simar Nature Reserve. Whoever is old enough will surely remember how popular this area was for the families who used to frequent it, even in its former derelict state.

We hear that the last part of this reserve is also going to be closed off to the general public and assimilated in the reserve.

Apologies but although I love birds, my respect for humans incurs me to appeal so that this does not happen!

P Agius

Mar 28th 2009, 11:43

Please note that the link to the petition is http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Majjistral/

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Mar 28th 2009, 11:32

The EU's Conservation of Habitats permits hunting under controlled conditions in NATURA2000 sites

"The Commission does not consider that activities – of which hunting is an example -necessarily contravene these provisions. However, it is necessary that such
activities within SPAs to be properly managed and monitored"

WILL THE STAKEHOLDERS NATURE TRUST, DIN L-ART HELWA AND GAIA FOUNDATION DECIDE WHETHER TO PERMIT HUNTING?

Their opposition to hunting is confirmed. "it is imperative for the park to be freed of hunters and hunters hides if it is to be enjoyed and developed as a true nature park for the benefit of all"

Hunting under controlled conditions is more than a possibility within the park. It happens in NATURA2000 SITES all over Europe. BUT WHY NOT IN MALTA?

One vital point FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HUNTING has been purposely omitted. The involvement of hunting associations from the park's management.

GATHERING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THEIR BAN ON HUNTING IS NOTHING LESS THAN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HUNTERS.

What does government have to say? It is finally it's decision whether to discriminate against hunters. But as usual the hunter is always excluded from matters of national interest.

Alfred Grima

Mar 28th 2009, 11:20

I've heard rumours of a proposal for a new hunting zone in the South of Malta, as that's where much of the wild game on Malta is gathering. Do any other readers have more information? It's time we hunters had a place to practise our hobby without bothering anyone or being bothered ourselves.

Chris Finch

Mar 28th 2009, 11:17

It shuoldn't take an online appeal, it should be taken as read that hunting will be banned in this recreation area for families and the population at large - and no, hunting near people who are enjoying the public areas of the countryside is not safe.

René Micallef

Mar 28th 2009, 11:09

Remove the "index.html" part to access the petitions page (at least for Firefox users): http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Majjistral/

Edward Camilleri

Mar 28th 2009, 11:07

Prosit, keep up the good work. It would be outrageous to allow hunting in such a park.

Jon Cardona

Mar 28th 2009, 10:52

this is the correct site of the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Majjistral/