FKNK promises to work for reintroduction of finch trapping

D. Farrugia

Mar 7th 2010, 17:52

@ David Caruana. And I suppose Malta's position opposing the tuna ban fits into the sustainability concept, right? Some catch finches for their own satisfaction, others catch tuna to satisfy their lucrative business (and God knows how many other species end up thrown dead back into the sea as by-catch). The global fish stock is in great turmoil, hardly fits the sustainability paradigm. We move from one species to the other until eventually there will be no more left to satisfy the non-vegans/non-vegetarians. If we had to delve into the ethical concept, even drinking a glass of (cow's) milk may be deemed unethical. What is so ethical in 'snatching' a calf away from it's mum so that humans can steal its milk? Having said all this, and beyond all ethical concepts of keeping the nonhuman race is captivity, the seven finch species targeted by Maltese and other European citizens have retained a healthy population and remain to this very day (despite centuries of trapping) as Least Concern (IUCN). These species are not threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or on the brink of extinction. May I remind the readers that I am NOT/NEVER BEEN a trapper and/or hunter.

Johnny Xerri

Mar 7th 2010, 14:45

@ Bill James,

I cannot really understand your logic since in the past two spring seasons I hunted in the UK more woodpigeons, seagulls, crows, magpies, squirrels, rabbits and canada geese in one week than in 10 years in Malta, managing more than 200 heads per day.

If hunting is so detrimental to Maltese tourism then why is it not detrimental to UK's tourism? Why is a limited gamebag in Malta more harmful than UK's unlimited 364 days a year hunting?

Bill James, gone are the days when Malta was part of the British empire...and gone are the days in which British people can dictate what should and should not be done in Malta.

It’s not only hunting that deters tourists, my signature in UK, Italia and Spanish hunting forums is much more effective from the response I get:

'Planning a holiday or business in Malta, please note that the Maltese find no guilt in inciting government to break a democratic obligation. Please follow the link to what was guaranteed http://www.meusac.gov.mt/Portals/FME/Documents/AGGSE13e_Hunting.pdf and what was delivered i.e. spring hunting stopped from 2007 and trapping stopped from 2008. If the Maltese treat their citizens like this how will they treat you?'

David Caruana

Mar 7th 2010, 14:42

@ D.Farrugia:

There are some of us who practice a sustainable lifestyle, for example, if the big tuna industry is depleting the global tuna stocks, we just choose smaller sustainable fish over tuna. Believe me it's not easy for me to say no to tuna.
Anyway, I condemn the hunting and trapping for PLEASURE. If you hunt for your source of food, and truly believe it is sustainable and so your grandchildren will be able to enjoy your same meal, then God bless you.
"They are not kept in cages for their entire life, contrary to popular belief. During the non-trapping season they are released in aviaries" - aviaries! That's neat! It's like getting a prisoner out of his cell and putting him in the prison's courtyard - freedom! You can shoot as much scientific "proof" as you want, some of us appreciate freedom so we wouldn't dare removing it from any creature that was born free, especially if that's for PLEASURE.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 7th 2010, 14:24

Bill James, I have read the report which, as usual, is packed with inaccuracies. The usual inaccuracies written by BLM and Co. Accusations made are not substantiated and only quote a BLM official. I have long been asking the Maltese Government to take the necessary action against all those who unjustly tarnish Malta's reputation.

Sir, you are fully aware that hunting takes place in the UK as well. Maltese hunters go for hunting holidays there and their catch for a week is much higher than their catch for 10 years in Malta. Also, they legally shoot birds in the UK which in Malta are protected. So what exactly are you trying to get to? Furthermore, the Sunday Times UK is expected to report factual and more serious cases like, for example, the killing of a hunter (God bless his soul - Trevor Norse) and where an anti-hunting individual is being questioned for his murder!

Bill James

Mar 7th 2010, 12:03

@ M. Cardona,

Circa. 1.3 Million people will read that article today and The Sunday Times (UK) is a very reputable paper - can Malta afford that much negative publicity to keep a couple of thousand hunters happy?

D. Farrugia

Mar 7th 2010, 10:33

@ David Caruana. If this country was 100% vegan, sir, then I would suppose you are 100% correct in what you just said. Try saying that again over a nice fish platter. And by the way, finches do not pair for life and in any case if trapping was to be limited to the autumn/winter months the ones that migrate over our islands would not be in breeding condition. By the way, these finches do breed in captivity too. They are not kept in cages for their entire life, contrary to popular belief. During the non-trapping season they are released in aviaries, and yes some are content enough to reproduce. Finches adapt. Males don't sing out of frustration, contrary to popular belief. Females do not carry nesting material in an aviary out of misery and raise a brood or two out of desperation, contrary to popular belief. Only open-minded people will ever come close to understanding trapping. I am no trapper, but I know exactly what I am saying and is a far cry from the antis' sensationalism and "msieken" or "jahasra" gibberish.

David Caruana

Mar 7th 2010, 09:51

@ Joseph Calafato:
If you think that "most people in Malta, especially in rural areas outside Sliema-centric newsrooms are in favour of hunting and trapping", you're so wrong my friend. I do come from a rural area and frankly speaking I don't care about Birdlife, I don't care about FKNK, but I do care for the life of any living creature. Your mudlisnging at Birdlife won't change anything - there are many people out there who oppose the killing or trapping of birds for pleasure and I'm confident that by the next election more and more of them will sound their voices and show our government that if he allows spring hunting he'll loose a good number of votes anyway.
I hope that you pro-hunting people can stop for a minute and think that all living creatures are equal and like you, they all want to live happily and prosper. I hope you can all stop and think how a bird would feel when its mate does not return to the nest because Mr.Calafato would like to keep it for himself trapped in a cage in his garage.

M. Cardona

Mar 7th 2010, 09:26

@ Bill James,

and should we take that article seriously? "They all come in via Malta".
BTW how DAFT does the paper really think that people are? Granted that some are!

Henry Fenech Azzopardi

Mar 7th 2010, 08:37

Hard facts are not that easy to contradict. Yesterday I exposed Birdlife's wrong doing in my lettter with regards to the ORNIS meeting.

There were only three comments one against and two in favour.

The one against, sent by Mr Peter Green, went out of contents to my letter and just generalised against hunting because one cannot argue against the facts.

The point I want to make is how can Birdlife be credible when within minutes of a confidential meeting they go public twist facts and comment on items that were very seriously debated and declared farcical by birdlife.

When the going is not according to their agenda they try to interrupt and what could have taken two hours to conclude took four hours. It reminds me of my childhood banging my feet because I used to disgree with my parents guidlines.

That was exactly Birdlife attitude at the meeting.

Now that ORNIS concluded this issue on hunting the antis seem to have turned their attention to trapping. Time will tell, but what is good for other european countries should be good for us.

I just conclude why don't the enviornmentailists attack the overexploiting of our country by developers?

Bill James

Mar 7th 2010, 08:23

Malta relies on tourism and foreign investment. I wonder how many Brit's will read this article in the Sunday Times (UK) today 'The first sound of spring is illegal bird slaughter in Malta' and cancel Malta as their destination? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article7052481.ece .

John Matthews

Mar 6th 2010, 23:05

@ Franco Farrugia
Some people say that a CULL is beneficial to nature. This can never be proven only estimated as we will never know if the species being culled could have "mingled" with nature.
So what is your next theory?

r sammut

Mar 6th 2010, 22:15

@Edward Camilleri
The FKNK was never intentioned or commissioned to rehabilitate trappers! On the other hand BLM were specifically awarded EU funds to do just that; yet fail miserably!

If you may have no interest in birds trapped in small cages, it’s your business. Look at the crowd pull and interest of bird fairs! So if you be so kind not to impose your attitudes on others!

D. Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 20:49

Dear Sylvana, how very true! I find it very ironic that people romanticise the idea of a Malta free of hunting and trapping and a haven for birds, yet be the first to dump rubbish in the countryside, leave a mess after their picnics or barbecues, promote anti-tourism, run on hatred campaigns, party till dawn in protected areas and offshore, and what not. I'm not trying to generalise, but I know a few who do just that! Impacts on habitats are by far more damaging than sustainable harvesting of species. Natural ecosystems are being reclaimed for permanent agriculture faster than one can shout stop, but you'll find that extremists will be the first to blame trapping. Dear readers, the human impact on our environment has a much wider sphere of influence than one is led to believe by the anti-hunting/trapping extremists.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 6th 2010, 19:47

D Farrugia, I also have been free to enjoy the countryside. I am sure the reason for this is that we do not trespass onto private property. We know how to respect others. J Borg is always harping on about the countryside and it has often been suggested to her to purchase some private property. This lady cannot understand that she is free to enjoy the public countryside, obviously sharing it with hunters and trappers, while she should refrain from trespassing!

D. Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 19:24

@ Andrew Gatt. You have just added yourself to the list where you rightly belong along with Mr. Calafato! I fully support what you two wrote. This country is being run by extremists and they are doing more harm to their own agenda that anyone else!! We live in such an intolerant country that the minute you DON'T voice your opinion against hunting and trapping you are instantly assumed a hunter or trapper!!

D. Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 18:56

@ J Borg. First off, I have never caught a single bird in my entire life. Never been a trapper and never will. It's just not in me. Just happen to have genuine friends who are trappers and, no, not "hamalli", contrary to popular belief, but well educated gentlemen some of whom can even save your life as they are in the medical profession. But what is good for the goose will remain good for the gander. I am not a hunter either. However, I always had time to enjoy what little is left of our countryside even when finch capturing was legal. Enjoyed by everyone?? Well, when the time comes that everyone can tell the difference between a warbler and a finch, or indeed from a Carduelis cannabina and a Passer domesticus, my kids will be the first to lock me up in our house and throw away the keys!! J Borg, my family and I have never felt entrapped with trapping and have always been free to enjoy the Maltese countryside. That too sums it all up.

Andrew Gatt

Mar 6th 2010, 18:40

Have just seen Mr Calafato's comment and it is indeed a pleasure to read succint and objective analysis of the situation.

All forms of extremism are wrong and Birdlife's anti-hunting obession is one of the worst. This foreign-led elitist network disregards ECJ rulings, breaks prior promises to honour them and violates confidentiality agreements of the Ornis Committee, All this just in the last few months!

Not to mention their cronies, buddies and contacts at the highest levels of the media, local authorities, Government departments and EU organisations, CABS abolitionists and God knows what else. Not to mention their extensive EU funding; some for laudable and measurable projects, but too much for pointless, inflammatory, wasteful, often untrue anti-hunting-and-trapping propoganda.

I hope there are many more Mr Calafato's out there who realise that hunters and trappers have the same rights as all other EU citizens; that they should be given what they were repeatedly promised and at a satisfactory level; that no bunch of self-appointed and UNELECTED obsessives should be permitted to dishonour promises, disrespect agreements and disinherit Maltese traditions that date back centuries.

J. Borg

Mar 6th 2010, 18:19

@ D Farrugia
when these birds become as numerous in Malta as they are in other countries...then go ahead and trap some.
However until such time - let the few who make it to Malta and the fewer that remain - free so that they can be enjoyed by everyone in their natural habitat.
FKNK harps on being 2nd class citizens in the EU - however the real 2nd class in Malta are not the hunters/trappers but the general public - in being denied the right to a safe and peaceful countryside and the sight of birds - something which our European fellows are blessed with.
as to socio-cultural blasphamy......guess it sums it all!

D. Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 18:02

Finch capturing is permitted in several EU member states. That is a fact. These countries do not depend solely on seasonal migration as in the case of Malta since they have resident finches all year round (they also have favourable breeding habitats unlike these overpopulated semi-arid islands of ours). Scientific literature informs us that a good subset of the finch population is resident all year round (they will never reach our shores), whilst others only disperse short distances during winter.

European finches have an extremely vast geographical range, and only a small subset migrates to Africa, and only a smaller subset passes over the Maltese Islands. Historical evidence proves that trapping of finches is not detrimental to long-term viability of the species: trapping in Malta was practiced for centuries, and is also practiced in other EU countries, yet these species have maintained a favourable conservation status and are of 'Least Concern' (IUCN). That is also a fact. The whole argument that trapping undermines the population of these birds can be flushed down the proverbial drain. Besides, agricultural practices in Europe have caused more harm to these birds than anyone can ever hope to imagine.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 6th 2010, 17:58

Franco Farrugia, as a teacher, you should be ashamed to use such insultive language!! Well, being insultive will not win you an argument! The Maltese trappers have every right to enjoy their pastime similar to their EU counterparts. What is so backward about enjoying their traditional hobby?

"times have changed and that things are no longer at a standstill here in Malta and Gozo". What exactly is your argument Franco Farrugia? Should Malta and Gozo be progressive like other EU countries by likewise legalising abortion?!!

Edward Camilleri

Mar 6th 2010, 16:53

The FKNK should help to rehabilitate these trappers so that they will enjoy life by doing something fruitful and enjoyable. Having several birds trapped in small cages to catch more doesn't seem interesting, it is depressing.

Franco Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 16:52

@ Joseph Lia - Backward are those who insist on sticking to things that are no longer beneficial to nature itself. Backward are those who insist on carrying on with their pastime, even if the future of their country and that of their children, hangs in the balance.

Johnny Xerri

Mar 6th 2010, 16:47

@ Franco Farrugia,

The silent majority lol...at least you got the silent part right.....lol....BLM only managed to garnish 22000 signitures from an international petition which does not even equate the amount of licensed hunters....lol..and the environmental MEP wonna bees and Alternativa Democratica only managed to garnish 2 pence worth of votes....lol


As for the lazing in the countryside part.....lol....should we ban sunbathing...or...birdwatching...because for the matter of fact at least trappers do pull the claspnet , release the bird into a cage and reset the claspnet....apart from watching just like birdwatchers do...or should we introduce a law on those who laze?

And who are you to say whats wrong and right? A legal appointee representing people? Are you a member of parliament representing those that elected you? Or are you a frustrated environmentalist with no support from and Political party except the one which never got a single seat, who is venting his frustration hunters after having his expectations shot down by the ECJ judgement and the EU commission?

Times have changed, people have realised that hunting takes place on a worldwide scale and that trapping is allowed in the EU. If anyone is stuck in time thats the antis brigade

joseph lia

Mar 6th 2010, 16:26

@ Franco farrugia, as you imply in your snide remark, 'wrong and backward' then the 'Birds' Directive which has the backing and support of the whole EU including Birdlife International and is the foundation of environmental law is also 'wrong and backward', as you imply. The Directive justly and fairly allows the management and harvesting of limited capturing with nets. So who is wrong and backward, Mr Farrugia?!

M. Cardona

Mar 6th 2010, 16:01

@ Franco Farrugia,

you might wish to note that BirdlifeMalta's MACCHIAVELLIAN way of doing things is despicable to what you repeatedly term "the silent majority". And trust me its the truth. Anyone with a pinch of common sense (and that excludes those whose extremism will never let them reason issues objectively) is disgusted with BLM's recurring shameful tactics!

Now you might continue to maintain otherwise but believe me there are even BLM members who are fed up with their organisation's disgusting approach and tactics!

Franco Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 15:17

@ Joseph Calafato - All these attacks and abuse against Birdlife should only strengthen it more. The electorate's wishes, as you call it, are also made up of the silent majority and no attacks or insults against this NGO will change the truth. Nor is this a question fo minority or majority - if something is wrong and backward, it remains wrong and backward, whether it comes from the majority or from the minority.

Nyal Xuereb

Mar 6th 2010, 15:12

What I find strange and unfair is that bird ringers use mist nets to catch whatever passes through, while trappers use purposly set areas, special nets and other traditional equipment to catch specific birds. Why cannot the trappers still enjoy their hobby by catching the birds for the ringers or ring them themselves? With the expertise the trappers have the bird ringering in Malta would shoot sky high and the scientific study for migrating birds would gain so much. And how can the government expect the breeders to keep a good supply of finches if they are not capped with wild ones?

Joseph Calafato

Mar 6th 2010, 14:51

I started out mildly against hunting and trapping in my youth but I do accept that most people in Malta, especially in rural areas outside Sliema-centric newsrooms are in favour of hunting and trapping.
After years of BirdLife trying to foist on the Maltese population a wholesale ban on hunting/trapping that the population of Malta so obviously disagrees with, it is now clear for me that an elitist anti-liberal minority wants to force this ban via Brussels rather than via the ballot box in Malta.
This same elitist minority sees hunters and trappers not as fellow Maltese but as 'hamalli' that have to be dictated to.
This illiberal minority is trying to do via European institutions (especially the EU Commission's environment directorate that is actually infested with BirdLife activists) what both main political parties in Malta representing 98% of the electorate disagree with.
This is unacceptable in a liberal democracy and BirdLife should be shown for what it is - a fixated minority run by foreign activists in Malta influencing politicians against the electorate's wishes peddling untruths now clearly shown as such by the European Court of Justice.

Franco Farrugia

Mar 6th 2010, 14:38

What FKNK needs is some enlightening - to realise that times have changed and that things are no longer at a standstill here in Malta and Gozo. Yes, sure, go on .... try reintroducing finch-trapping ... and encourage people to laze around doing nothing but trap birds for their fun .... after all, it is their 'pastime', says someone, and that that these people should not be denied their right to trap hapless small birds!

laurence schembri

Mar 6th 2010, 14:29

Socio-cultural passion? What trapping a defenceless tiny bird?