Seminar attempts to win over trappers

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Nov 12th 2009, 21:14

I smell something fishy that BLM seem to want trappers in their fold?!!

Seeing that trapping is practiced in Italy and other EU countries and this within the parameters of the law, I strongly believe that the Maltese trappers should not be treated any inferior to these EU citizens.

Ray Mangani

Nov 11th 2009, 21:52

About 20 to 30 years ago while hunting during the first 2 weeks of September I used to watch small flocks of Linnets that for sure have bred during the previous months of the years mentioned, when trapping of these species was at full swing during autumn and SPRING time!!!
So why not now?????. This is simply proof that trappers do not make the difference for not having breeding song birds on these island!!! The only major problem is the overbuilding and destruction of the natural enviorment and not hunters and trappers

John Borg

Nov 11th 2009, 20:54

Joe Sultana was and IS STILL a bird trapper. He just changed the method of trapping from clap nets to vertical mist nests. He must have made a big effort in changing his mentality. I'm sure most of the trappers will be more than willing to make a similar change and will be awarded with a bird ringing licence which entitles them to trap any bird all year round.

Wiilfred L. Camilleri

Nov 11th 2009, 20:27

And exactly what's wrong with trappers and hunters learning how to breed birds inatead of trapping them or shooting them? Or perhaps learning to shoot birds with cameras instead of guns?

joseph lia

Nov 11th 2009, 20:18

@ Joe Sultana
'when finches were more plentiful' I nearly choked at this ludicrous comment! In Mr Sultana's days 30% of Malta was not a concrete tower-crane filled jungle!
Profs Massa should very well know that Malta , as amply said by the hosts of this farcical seminar, is simply a beacon for migrating finches. Due to Malta's climatic conditions finches will only winter when plentiful water and ample vegetation is in bloom, no autumn trapping will interfere with finches choosing to stay and nest sporadically which has been the case for centuries.
One does not simply banish a way-of-life and the next day urges that person to change overnight! Simply does not work, much like demanding from an active footballer to stop playing and watch the game on TV, no way! What measures were taken by those responsible during the 5 year Transitional Period as stated by the EU? In order to inform the trappers? NONE
Of course, as publicly stated in this seminar that trappers love their birds, these birds are used judiciously, taken in SMALL numbers and selectively. All inline with legal EU benchmarks. Trapping or not these finches will return north come spring.

MARIO SALNITRO

Nov 11th 2009, 20:16

WHAT A SHAME, OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE TRAP THEN WHY NOT US MALTESE?/

SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG, AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT !!!!!

THE NATIONALIST PARTY PROMISED THAT TRAPPING WILL CONTINUE AND THIS IS WHAT WE GOT.

IF ANY NATIONALIST TRAPPER IS READING THIS COMMENT YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THE NEXT ELECTION .

r sammut

Nov 11th 2009, 19:27

Would ALL Maltese trappers be allowed a diversion to their hobby and enjoy the bird ringing alternative as Mr Joe Sultana?

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Nov 11th 2009, 18:56

Joe Sultana states "when birds were plentiful"
Global population according to 2008 IUCN data www.iucnredlist.org/ compiled by BIRDLIFE INTL.
CHAFFINCH 390,000,000-720,000,000 individuals
HAWFINCH 14,700,000-50,400,000
LIINNET 40,500,000-168,000,000
SISKIN 31,900,000-72,000,000
GREENFINCH 44,700,000-128,000,000
GOLDFINCH 73,500,000-348,000,000
SERIN 26,500,000-80,000,000

All the above finches are categorized as Least concern. Meaning none of these birds are Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened but Widespread and abundant. What exactly is plentiful Mr. Sultana?

Geoffrey Saliba is "seeking to understand how trappers felt about the changes". The changes actually consist of their lifetime practice being banned. NOT BAD FOR A "CHANGE"

A change brought about through devious means, that resulted in 175,000 euro from EU funds and 30,000 euro from MEPA if trappers participate in the project.

Well you can rest assured that no trapper will ever participate in what can only be termed as a ruthless plan to eradicate the trapping of a few birds, that are all abundant and nowhere near threatened.

This form of extremism is what people condemn. If indeed you played fair, regulating was the proper way. The road you chose only leads to conflict, hatred and some easy money.

Anthony Formosa

Nov 11th 2009, 17:56

Ornithologists, conservationists and bird lovers discussed how Maltese trappers could continue to enjoy birds without harming wild populations or their natural countryside.

Unbelievable the Trappers are the ones who are harming their natural countryside. To add with the below comments, many song birds in Europe are even caught to be served in restaurants. Instead of picking on tiny Malta, look at what is happening elsewhere because nobody is going to convince us that the Maltese trappers can or ever will effect bird population.

j cutajar

Nov 11th 2009, 17:34

''why is Birdlife Malta trying to lure trappers to its fold?''
why do trappers try to lure bird to their minuscule cages?

Johann Cutajar

Nov 11th 2009, 16:52

Mr. Sultana just allow others to enjoy the passion for bird trapping just the way you used to enjoy it. I spend loads of money annually for the sake of finch breeding and love my birds accordingly, however nothing will ever over come the passion for finch trapping.
I think our foreign friends have by far worse finch threats to tackle then our trapping.

kevin francica

Nov 11th 2009, 16:50

why is Birdlife Malta trying to lure trappers to its fold? does it have to do with the releasing of EU and MEPA funds for "educating trappers" ?

David Borg Cardona

Nov 11th 2009, 16:41

@ Dottor Massa..

Before coming up with such statements such as "Stopping trapping in Malta will benefit over wintering populations " should you not have a look in your own backyard and tell your own countrymen to stop SHOOTING (with the blessing of the EU) the same species of finches we trap here in Malta. You arrive here to help out BLM preach the same ad nauseam rhetoric we have been hearing for years. Such a respected person of your calibre should not be led by the nose I'm afraid !!! Carissimo Professore, non lascia che ti mettino le parole in bocca...

@ Geoffrey Saliba...

"Seeking to understand how trappers felt about the changes" ?????? What do you lot at BLM know about what trappers are feeling.. Ask trappers who have been trapping for 40 years how they are feeling.. I bet that their answer would be somewhat "flowery" believe me. Your organisation, with the help of people like "former trapper now turned bird saviour" Joe Sultana, has launched nothing short of a vicious and mailicious campaign against trapping in Malta. Then you have the cheek to organise a seminar to see what trappers are feeling. U halluna !!!!!

Tony Caruana

Nov 11th 2009, 16:09

Would love to see a photo of the thousands of trappers who attended.

M. Cardona

Nov 11th 2009, 15:58

“Stopping trapping in Malta will benefit over wintering populations and also allow some of the finch species to re-establish breeding populations over time,” Prof. Massa said.

Dear Professor Massa,....stopping the shooting and trapping of the very same bird species in your own home country- Italy, may be so much more beneficial to the populations, But alas whoever said that charity begins at home.

Furthermore, following recent studies conducted in the UK, it has been determined that the numbers of particular raptor species have increased to proportions which are detrimental to song bird species. This includes the very same finch species BLM seeks to "conserve" thorugh their radical measures. In the Uk particular raptor species including the goshawk and the buzzard can now be shot "YES SHOT" as part of a culling programme.

I am not for the killing of birds of prey since they do not cause any local harm. Nonetheless, isn't this a further case of two weights and two measures which Prof Massa et al might wish to consider?

Joe Camilleri

Nov 11th 2009, 15:52

The only correct phrase in this article is "trappers are bird lovers"

So what that in Belgium trapping is banned, in most EU countries (Italy, France, Spain , Austria etc) trapping is legalized. So who says that we should follow Belgium and not the majority of the EU countries.

Chris Galea

Nov 11th 2009, 15:47

Why not tell the same to Spain and Austria ?!!!!! or they're in a different EU ?!!!!!!!!!!

A.Sacco

Nov 11th 2009, 15:24

This greenfinch photo is fabulous

Edward Farrugia

Nov 11th 2009, 15:19

http://www.timesofmalta.com/media/serve/20090131--174653-billboarddummy.jpg

Putting up posters like these, birdlife want to convince lifetime trappers? :-)

Tony Caruana

Nov 11th 2009, 15:08

In Malta we are not allowed to trap finches but in Italy they are allowed to shoot them !!

Viva EU.