Geoffrey Saliba
Alternative future for trappers
Finch trapping has been a popular activity for many trappers over the years. It is understandable that many are frustrated and unhappy that a hobby they could practise in the past is now illegal due to improved nature protection laws. Over the past year, staff of the LIFE+ Project on Bird Migration and Trapping have been meeting trappers to talk about the current situation.
Through these meetings it has become clear that for many trappers the actual trapping is just one part of a larger hobby. Most trappers are also breeders, though success varies from person to person with the most capable of trappers breeding many different species, and those with less expertise breeding just a few. Some trappers also participate in international cage bird competitions. There has even been interest expressed in photographing wild birds and other wildlife or in ornithological studies.
Since trapping is not permitted in the EU under the Birds Directive, when Malta joined the EU it negotiated a gradual phasing out period for the trapping of seven finch species, to ease the transition. This period ended in December 2008 and the government did not open a finch trapping season this year, in line with the Accession Treaty and the Birds Directive. Yet even if extensive finch trapping in Malta is a thing of the past, the passion in trappers for birds need not also be a thing of the past. It is clear that most trappers are also interested in bird-related activities that do not rely on catching wild birds. The finches targeted in Malta have been successfully bred in captivity, and in fact, captive bred European finches are the norm in many other EU countries.
A Belgian ex-trapper who was recently in Malta to attend the international seminar organised by the LIFE+ Project, stopped trapping in Belgium when the trapping ban was introduced. Today, he successfully breeds the same European finches targeted by our local trappers, and participates in international cage bird shows.
This can also be the future for many Maltese trappers. Their passion for birds can continue without trapping. Captive bred birds (not wild birds) of the species previously trapped locally can be legally purchased locally or from abroad and successfully bred in Malta.
The saying "Mitt bniedem, mitt fehma" (each to his own) holds true and no one solution is going to satisfy all trappers. Some might be interested in captive bird breeding, others in cage bird competitions, others still might turn to studying wild birds and a range of hobbies in between.
While taking up a new hobby is always daunting - equipment needs to be bought and knowledge to be earned - trappers interested in the activities mentioned during the meetings are lucky in that national organisations already exist which can facilitate their entry into the new hobby. For those interested in captive bird breeding or international cage bird shows, there is the Malta Cage Bird Association, those interested in photography would benefit from joining the Malta Photographic Society, and BirdLife Malta is willing to help those interested in studying wild birds.
With the cessation of finch trapping on the Maltese islands, our environment can slowly recover. With time finches could set up breeding populations, as are present on other small central Mediterranean islands like Lampedusa and Linosa. Maybe these birds will even become common garden birds as they are in other European countries. With care, trappers' passion for birds can also continue through activities such as those mentioned. This will allow the environment to recover for the benefit of all.
For more details call 2134 7644; geoffrey.saliba@birdlifemalta.org
Mr Saliba is the Campaigns Coordinator of BirdLife Malta.
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MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 20th 2009, 13:36
RCZ "And if other countries practice finch trapping that does not make it right."
Is it not illegal in all EU states according to Birdlife?
Suddenly we now learn that trapping is not right. Coming from a Birdlife member it's not at all surprising. I'm quite sure according to anyone of your sort nothing to do with trapping or shooting birds is right. So what! Are we to condition ourselves because you consider what we do as "not right"
If according to you these practices are not right then start thinking about all the things that might not be right for some and yet get official blessing. You might realize how pathetic your commnet truly is.
Maltese trappers will do no less then what trappers in other countries are legally permitted to do, no more no less, your considering this as "not right" has as much weight as foul air.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Dec 18th 2009, 21:29
V Falzon, you have a habit of speaking on behalf of others!! Has it escaped me that you have been appointed spokeperson for BirdLife Malta? In any case, it is what you stated that is the real joke. I urge you Sir/Madam to have a look at recent media reports, obviously without wearing your blinkers, and you will see whether BLM are in a frenzy to attract trappers into their fold or not. Having failed to convince trappers to join them, blm are trying to make us believe that this is the case. Well, they might convince gullible readers BUT not sensible individuals! This is similar to trying to convince us that bird trapping is illegal in the EU. What another joke!! Another joke of theirs was when they paraded in t-shirts stating that Spring Hunting is illegal! The list of jokes is endless!
"Most of these birds die just a few days after being caught." You simply do not know what you are saying, Mr R Muscat Baron!
Richard Cachia Zammit
Dec 18th 2009, 20:50
In this day and age, the taking of wild finches to put in cages is unacceptable since there is already a stock of cage bred birds available as finches have been bred in captivity for ages. And if other countries practice finch trapping that does not make it right.
carmel j
Dec 18th 2009, 20:45
J lia - finch trapping has become illegal on Malta but has finch trapping actually stopped altogether? do you know that for finches to breed most of the finch species need to set up territory during the winter months....and if these are caught? how many finches die after a few hours of being caught? and why does trappers have to trap all day dawn to dusk throughout the whole migration? and why do they need to trap also what are called 'tal-post' (meaning the wintering birds)...nothing is to be left in the countryside, thats the trappers motto...and finch trapping in europe is illegal..YES..the only difference is that derogations are agreed for certain small regions and in most cases these derogations were all permitted by the local authorities and are being investigated.
V Falzon
Dec 18th 2009, 20:00
@Sylvana Zarb Darmanin: "BLM appear to be in a frenzy to attract trappers into their fold."
Good one, Ms ZD! You have a real flair for jokes, it seems. Dear Ms ZD, BirdLife has no wish (let alone frenzy) to attract trappers into its fold, although they are most welcome to join, I have no doubt. What BirdLife is saying is that there are other ways to enjoy birds apart from getting a rush out of killing them or imprisoning them.
R Galea
Dec 18th 2009, 19:05
Trapping is all about taking birds selfishly from the wild and put them in cages for the rest of their lives. Most of these birds die just a few days after being caught. Come on, we are living in 2009 now.........teach your children to enjoy birds living in their proper habitat and not imprisoned in tiny cages, enjoyed only by their selfish bird trappers. We don't have birds in our gardens just because birds were trapped in their thousands for many years now.
kevin francica
Dec 18th 2009, 17:11
I wonder why Mr Saliba - a payed employee of Birdlife Malta, only mentions breeding as an alternative for trapping? Wouldn't it have made a more tempting and acceptable alternative had he proposed a catch and release proposal? Or does he consider trapping an exclusive right for Birdlife ringers? I am sure that a catch and release alternative would be widely accepted by traditional trappers which in the same time will be an added plus for bird conservation.
Henry Fenech Azzopardi
Dec 18th 2009, 16:44
Mr Saliba you did nit convince me that you did in fact have any trappers gathering who agreed to switch to your darling hobby. You purposely ignored the fact that trappers were promised to keep on practicing their hobby as any other european country albeith for breeding purposes. It would have been more appropiate if you would have come up with a format that can be presented to the government for this type of trappng. You seem to also ignore that trapping is still being practiced in other european countries. Are the finches in other countries less privilidged than those in Malta? Why does not birdlife object to these european trappers? The last thing I want to hear from Birdlife is that trapping is illegal. You do not seem to know the real meeting of this word and the European Court Of Justice gave you a specific ruling that made you scrap your T shirts. Bear with me and wait, time will soon tell us whether spring hunting/trapping are legal or not.
I take this opportunity to urge all concerned to distance our hobby from any political party if we sincerely want to have an acceptable spring hunting season.
Anthony Formosa
Dec 18th 2009, 16:35
Dear Geoffrey,
Finch trapping is still and remain a popular activity. No you can never understand their frustration or desperation of these people, especially when they were deceived by the higher authorities with written guarantees. I can be assured that if BLM really met trappers, it will broadcasted on all TV stations.
Trapping is still permitted in other EU countries, and our trappers will not be treated differently. Bringing examples by a Belgian ex trapper will not convince any trapper, what about the other ex Belgian ex trappers? do they feel the same?
@Ramon Casha, I would appreciate if you stick to your subject, and leave hunting and trapping in this case for the experts. May I have your expert advice? What is an acceptable alternative when a women gets pregnant with an unwanted baby? I would like to hear it again thanks.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 18th 2009, 16:23
The heading says it all
"alternative future for trappers" if what Mr. Saliba suggests is considered an alternative, then it must be an alternative to something.
What Mr. Saliba is suggesting is that trappers take on bird ringing as he and his friends at Birdlfie do. In fact Birdlife secured EU funds to educate trappers form this purpose.
Well, Bird ringing and bird trapping are two different activities. So really what he suggests is not an alternative to trapping but an invitation to join what he likes doing best.
On behalf of all trappers, I will try to secure EU funds in order to convince him and his friends at BLM that trapping is far more rewarding. Judging how BLM managed to fool the EU it certainly is no problem securing such funds.
All one needs is a lot of fabricated nonsense, a few supporters from overseas and some very obliging fools in high places.
If BLM managed, anyone can.
salvu abela
Dec 18th 2009, 16:15
@ Geoffrey Saliba,
I always learned that there is only one E.U., but it seems that there are two E.U.s,when you wrote that "Since trapping is not permitted in the EU under the Birds Directive" could you please try to clearly explain to me why do the Spanish and Austrian trappers trap the same finches like we the Maltese trappers used to trap, and they too have trapping licence as this YOUTUBE video shows ----
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_qy35UKTMs&feature=rec-rn-2r-6-HM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPThIPz-iE4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAG9Fra47Bc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kytAutUq3Jo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLRoLB-cchc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klpQT81FF6I
So as one can see trapping is still legally practiced in the E.U.the one that I know off .Now could it be that you are living in a different E.U. ,the one that I have never heard off ?
Chris Galea
Dec 18th 2009, 16:01
"Since trapping is not permitted in the EU under the Birds Directive," a big fat lie dear Geoffrey !!!
Holland,Spain,Austria and Germany trap birds and are in the EU........ seems you're living in a different world Sur Saliba !!!
Andrea Damato
Dec 18th 2009, 13:48
Although in a way related, breeding and trapping are 2 different hobbies. There are many trappers who are NOT breeders and many breeders who are NOT trappers. So conveniently mixing up these two different hobbies to find excuses to abolish trapping is simply stupid and patethic.
As Birdlife & CO well know ( and conveniently don't want to admit ), trapping is NOT illegal in the EU and a prove of this is the letter published in the TOM 0f the 07/03/2009, where an EU spokesperson for the EU embassy in Malta CLEARLY stated that ( quote)' Following the expiry of this period, under the treaty, Malta can, along with all other member states, apply a derogation to permit trapping to continue'. The EU cannot be clearer that that. So Birdlife is simply lying about bird trapping to try to influence the gullible public against trapping.
But the truth as always will prevail and trapping will be re-allowed under the conditions and rules set out in the derogation permitting this traditional and socio-cultural practice in the EU.
joseph lia
Dec 18th 2009, 13:27
Mr Saliba seems to be convinced that they (BLM) have had meetings with trappers!
Going around cage bird shows and trying to obtain second hand information does not constitute an official BLM/Trappers accord. Finch trapping is not a hobby as Mr Saliba continues to imply, but a way of life handed over from generation to generation, duly recognised by the Convention on Biodiversity (Lisbon) and LEGALLY allowed in various EU states. Stop trying to convince the public that this is simply changing a hobby, because it is not as simple as you are trying to imply.
Again the usual rhetoric as squeeky as a Serins song! The countryside will recover!? From what will the countryside recover may I ask? The only recoverable aspect is protecting the garigue (always acknowledged by the hunting/trapping fraternity) otherwise all other trapping sites are reversible! Can Mr Saliba kindly show the general public where are the wintering finches now that finch trapping has become illegal? This autumn passage saw huge influxes of Hawfinches, Chaffinches, Linnets, Siskins and to a lesser degree Greenfinches and Serins, extremely low numbers of Goldfinches. Again these are but a miniscule percentage of the European species!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Dec 18th 2009, 13:22
Mr Geoffrey Saliba, why don't YOU change your hobby and start collecting stamps?!!!!! You might find stamps which depict birds - this way your new hobby will be linked to your present one!!! Come on, Sir, don't you think you are being presumptuous in asking bird trappers to change their hobby?!! The anti-hunting lobby appear to believe that they have some divine right to dictate what others do!!
BLM appear to be in a frenzy to attract trappers into their fold. They are trying to do anything in their power so as to benefit from the Life + project. Trappers are no fools (as you try to portray them).
Mr Saliba, I urge you to be factual in your statements, something quite lacking in your above article. A similar incident occurred during your recent appearance on TVM's programme Puss 'n Boots where you stated that any gunshots heard outside the open season of September to January was illegal. You omitted to state that the rabbit hunting season is open between 1st June and December and that there are some 8 Shooting Ranges where shooting takes place all year round including Sunday afternoons. Is this the deceitful tactic used by BLM?!
Joseph Scicluna
Dec 18th 2009, 12:57
Can you please elaborate abit more on the "range of hobbies in between" and are any of the ex-trappers allowed to use any or part of your funds for the "taking up a new hobby is always daunting - equipment needs to be bought" ?
Joe Camilleri
Dec 18th 2009, 11:22
UFFF!!!!
The same old songs. " trapping is not permitted in the EU under the Birds Directive .... is a thing of the past" That is what you said about spring hunting but the EU gave you the reply this year on 10th September.
" Meeting Trappers" are you reffering to the International seminar FLOP you held on 11 November this year where there were more speakers than audience .
And about "taking up a new hobby " why don't you try to take up a new hobby!!
Ramon Casha
Dec 18th 2009, 10:50
@David Borg Cardona: Sour grapes make poor wine. Maybe breeding of finches is not your cup of tea, but there may be some who find it an acceptable alternative. They're not saying that all ex-trappers must now start breeding birds, but are offering that as a possible pastime. Some might decide to give it a try.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Dec 18th 2009, 10:49
Can Godfrey Saliba please mention when and where he held meetings with local trappers?
The best way to gain credibility is to invent or fabricate information. This is precisely what Birdlife specialize in
Birdlife need to prove that they are meeting trappers in order to secure funds from MEPA for the Life + project.
Are they now going to start a campaign of imaginary meetings in order to have all believe trappers are complying with their plans?
Certainly nothing new coming from Birdlife.
David Borg Cardona
Dec 18th 2009, 10:27
@ Geoffrey Saliba..
For the umpteenth time you rub more salt into the trappers wounds.. The idea of bird breeding, commendable as it may be, is absolutely no alternative to bird trapping. This is the same comparison they make when they tell us to shoot clay pigeons instead of game.
And please try and realistic for once.. ieqaf tipprova tbellana ir ross bil libra.. you perfectly know that finches will never breed in large quantities and will NEVER become "common garden birds" as you so conveniently put it. A perfect example is this year, trapping was banned and yet wintering finches are non existent. You used the same rhetoric with the breeding birds in spring and once again it backfired on your charlatan organisation. The more we see of these articles by yourself and by other BLM members the more we convince ourselves that bird protection is the last item on your agenda and that your only mission is to eradicate hunting and trapping and add more fuel to an issue which has already reached boiling point.
Isthi jekk taf kif Sur Saliba.. B'dak li tikteb mhux gid qed taghmel imma iggib aktar stmerrija lejn l-ghaqda li tirraprezenta emmini.