FKNK submits proposals for sustainable hunting and trapping
Proposals intended to ensure the success of a derogation to ‘special license’ turtle dove and quail hunting in spring have been submitted by the Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK).
In a statement, the federation said its proposals were in strict compliance with the European Court judgment and further proof of its determination to improve the level of sustainable hunting in Malta.
The FKNK said it would renew an application for an EU Life+ Project to captive-breed and release turtle doves and quails.
This measure involved captive-breeding birds from wild stock caught by local trappers and releasing both the off-spring and most of the breeding stock into the wild following the end of the spring season and before the commencement of the autumn season.
The federation said it was prepared to take all possible steps to follow the principle of sustainable hunting. Although restrained by the small size of the hunting territory and other limitations, it intended to make a start at returning to, instead of just taking from, the wild.
This measure would further compensate to a degree the net numbers taken by hunting and trapping.
The FKNK proposed that the specifications for the construction of hides/blinds for hunting/trapping purposes be incorporated within the regulations governing hunting and trapping.
The use of portable hides/blinds should also be encouraged.
This was necessary to ensure that hunters’/trappers’ hides or blinds were constructed in an environment friendly manner, ensuring that a recreational necessity did not become an eyesore, but blended better with Malta’s countryside
The FKNK said it would pass on an observation record chart to members to record on a daily basis the number of turtle doves and quail they observed in April and May.
It would then collect the charts and eventually produce a report from the recorded sightings.
The federation also wanted to organise a photography competition in association with the Malta Photographic Society to encourage members to take photographs of any wild birds they may encounter when hunting and trapping.
It said it also welcomed the BirdLife Malta spring camp scheduled for April to further curb unlawful activities and help respect law-abiding hunters’ and trappers’ rights.
In this sense, the FKNK would also be willing to pay for police on extra duties to accompany any individuals, couples or groups from the camp on their field-surveys during the period covered by the derogation. It was also willing to do the same for CABS, who were scheduled to be in Malta in April.
The FKNK said it would embark on a very serious name-and-shame campaign against illegal activities. This would be run on a daily reporting basis in collaboration with the police.
This, the federation said, would continue to foster responsible and sustainable hunting and trapping.
36 Comments
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D. Farrugia
Mar 20th 2010, 23:31
It is sincerely hoped that these proposals will result in the safe migration of protected birds over our islands. There is public outcry against shooting of protected birds and it is high time politicians and BLM take good note of FKNK's proposals. We need to wake up to the realisation that even a single shot protected bird is one too many. Genuine hunters, and birdwatchers have much to gain with these proposals.
In addition to FKNK's proposals we need to beef up the legal system and impose hefty fines. Shooting of protected birds can only be curbed through huge deterrents. As things stand the legal system is doing more harm than good as it is nothing less than an incentive to shooting of protected species. Also, given the insidious poaching activities, which occur irrespective of an open season, we need to have on-the-ground checks throughout the year. This can only be achieved through a transparent, well-equipped and manned wildlife crime unit. Such unit has to be composed of full-timers who work in close collaboration with the hunting community and Birdlife Malta. A promising future in the making? Let's not just hope so!!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 20th 2010, 15:24
MarioTabone
YOUR OWN WORDS yesterday: "With regards to what happens in the UK, trust me my friend ,you have not got a clue, I have arrested poachers but NEVER for shooting birds of prey, or songbirds or rare migrating species or swans."
READ : http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/birdcrime_tcm9-226049.pdf re "shooting birds of prey, or songbirds or rare migrating species" in the UK
READ:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/7036551.stm ABOUT 30 SWANS SHOT IN ONE DAY IN THE UK
So your "21 years experience as a police officer in a rural area " in the UK must have been spent sleeping.
Hopefully the shots this coming spring season will keep you more alert then the 21 years in a UK rural area spent chasing butterflies.
Dream on my friend, with statements like "I am an extremist and of course proud of it. " where do expect to arrive apart from a circus for decrepit clowns.
Mario Tabone
Mar 21st 2010, 09:16
@Mark Mifsud Bonnici.
You are clutching to straws going on about extremism . YOU were the one accusing people of being extremists and I just stated that if it means caring about wildlife then I suppose I was. Other readers would have realised what context it was meant in but you, no way. This was the straw that a drowning person latches on to. Pathetic to say the least. Secondly you keep going on about what is happening in other countries. This does not justify your argument. We want to preserve what we have here, in Malta. Trying to mock my career gets you nowhere my friend.You should have tried it as it might have educated you a bit more in how much life is worth, even a birds life . As it stands its clear your downright disregard for life portrays clearly who the decrepid clown is. Carry on as you are my friend, you are a truly great advert for FKNK.
Mario Tabone
Mar 20th 2010, 14:43
@John Matthews
I see it's back to the holier than thou routine and bible bashing. John, this is not about forgive and forget. This is about stopping something that is wrong.
Its ok having all these proposals and asking for people to endorse them , however you would be naive to say that self regulation will work. Besides, these proposals still cater for the continued wanton slaughter of wildlife which is what this argument is about.
For this reason only I cannot endorse these proposals. That is however my own personal opinion and if the government decides otherwise ( hopefully not) then being by no means an extremist as you suggest, I would accept the law which is hardly what hunters are doing.
John Matthews
Mar 20th 2010, 14:11
@ Mari Tabone
If, as you claim that the hunters are to blame for their past folly, ARE YOU PREPARED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR PROPOSALS? and, if as you say they are to blame, ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THEM TO PUT IT RIGHT?
If the answer to those questions is NO, then you have shown the true colours of an extremist that you claim to be. Even in the bible forgiveness is mentioned.
k. francica
Mar 20th 2010, 13:30
Well done FKNK.
Funny how these proposals are being ridiculed by Birdlife members, from their comments it seems that they are not interested in proposals that further deter illegalities.
Mario Tabone
Mar 20th 2010, 13:13
@Mark Mifsud Bonnici.
Thank you for confirming the general attitude of hunters. I never said that atrocities don't happen in other countries as well. You however keep going around in circles referring to other countries when the priority for us is Malta.
The slaughter of wildlife is wrong from whichever point you look at it. This mistrust of hunters is self inflicted over many years of abuse. Instead of blaming everybody else you should all accept that you are to blame. Have respect for the Maltese public's intelligence and stop trying to con people into believing hunters attitudes have changed because you and I both know they have not. I look forward to the day that FKNK and others will report and name and shame fellow hunters but I can see myself waiting a very long time.
Malta needs adequate laws and a general ban on the slaughter of wildlife. We owe that to our kids at the very least. I urge you be honest and accept the will of the majority.
r curmi
Mar 20th 2010, 12:57
About time the hunters are making something constructive!!!! About time also the breed and realise program. But better late then never.
Have to say its the 1st time I enjoyed reading a statment by fknk.
As an anti if the hunter really endoarse in such projects then hats off. If what you claim is true then I can finally remove the image I have built for myself growing up hat the maltese hunter is a troglodite, savage, uncaring vandal. Pardon me for all he legal honest hunters but as you see I never met anyone of you and you claim you are in your thousands, while all I met is the poacher and the cabinets in their homes. But would love nothing more then to be proven wrong
Also I ride solo being affilated in neither BLM or def FKNK. But Im a bird phorographer and if FKNK issues a bird photography competition it would be lovely that FKNK opens the door for more then just the hunter and Malta photographic society. But lets be fair I doubt any hunter has the high teh equipment to match the MPS in a such thing.
But yet well done FKNK
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 20th 2010, 12:46
Jonathan Beacom
Thank you for your support.
I never denied illegalities existed. I always stated that the few that exist are no more then those in other countries. Malta being branded as the black spot for bird crime comes from those saying SPRING HUNTING is illegal - Birdlife Malta. Now we all know spring hunting is possible and totally legal.
The whole matter does revolve around defending our right to shoot Turtle Doves and Quail. These are our main quarry species. Yet through their deceit Birdlife were trying to deny us of the now acknowledged ECJ right to hunt in spring. They did this and still do it by inflating and publishing all the filth they uncover.
The fact that they do not support the marshal proposal and want do their own unchecked reporting speaks volumes. This explains why though we support their initiatives we want police to accompany them wherever they go.
Rest assured Birdlife are not only after illegal hunting. As a matter of fact, should the spring season open they will be reporting the impact of Maltese hunters on the population of turtle dove and quail. http://birdlifemalta.org/conservation/springwatch2010/
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 20th 2010, 12:06
Clemens Hasengschwandtner
I fully agree with you. As the secretary of one of the hunting organizations I can inform that we have presented proposals for the purpose of new licenses to the Prime Minister well over 2 years ago.
So far we still have had no reply as to whether the current ridiculous system will ever be replaced. Having politicians that do not care whether the situation improves is a problem we have to face.
Their interest is votes, our scope of having a new license system could mean quite a few prospective hunters will be denied a license until they can prove their worth as hunters. These few could mean less votes for the party that approves our proposed system.
What does one do in such a pathetic situation?
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 20th 2010, 11:56
Mario Tabone
As for your mentioning swans:
"A 30-strong flock of swans has been found dead, apparently shot, three days after they arrived on a lake in Beds.
Police and the RSPB have begun an inquiry to trace the killer. "
read all the article on the BBC news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/7036551.stm
ANYMORE OF YOUR BASELESS ACCUSTATIONS AFTER " 21 years experience as a police officer in a rural area".
I'm afraid you are saying absolute nonsense and your accusations against Maltese hunters are precisely what I refer to as "persecution by a hunter hater".
Anymore of your "facts" for me to discredit?
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 20th 2010, 11:56
Mario Tabone
Just to confirm how little you know about crime in UK and how untrue all you say actually is read this: http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/birdcrime_tcm9-226049.pdf
You might be pleased to discover that Malta also has a place of honour in this publication. The connection between Birdlife Malta and the very obliging RSPB becomes even more obvious if you had to discover what goes on in other countries yet does not even deserve mention by the RSPB.
Read this to discover other similar atrocities: http://www.komitee.de/en/index.php?projects
(click on each country listed)
You can now be the judge of what I assert.
Malta is no worse then anywhere else, yet thanks to BLM and its obliging friends it is being made out to be the world's worst offender.
I condemn illegalities but I will never accept the vile way in which my country is being vilified by the anti hunting lobby.
Now where do you stand?
Personally I expect harsh penalties for any illegal act, but if thousands observe the law they expect to be left in peace.
Walter Camilleri
Mar 20th 2010, 11:25
I have often written against indiscriminate hunting because I disapprove of killing and causing pain to anything for pleasure. But if FKNK can really make their proposals work, and can really control their "cowboys", I wish them luck and success. It would definitely be a step in the right direction.
Incidentally, like many others out there, I adsmit to being something of a hypocryte. I love eating well cooked game, and drool over juicy lamb chops. But there is a slight difference between pleasure in good food and pleasure in killing for enjoyment, in the process decimating if not exterminating the species.
adrian aquilina
Mar 20th 2010, 11:11
ban hunting outride..no need for it,nothing good comes of it,it does nothing for anyone,it is destructive,ends in the needless taking of life,harms the enviroment,birds are a large part of the life of the enviroment, young hunters grow up with a warped sense of killing for fun being ok and does spill out into everyday life..no room in a society for cold inhumane and people with no compassion toward living creatures..ignore the hunting associations..killing is extreme not wanting killing to stop..the government have messed up this country through total mismanagement,especially our economy.they can start putting things right and an easy first thing to do would be ban spring hunting a shorten autumn season,then eventually ban it totaly..then start helping the people back on their feet and invest in the small businesses and then sort out our disgracefull infrastructue..
Jonathan Beacom
Mar 20th 2010, 09:42
Finally the FKNK have seen the light !
This is what most anti-hunting persons wanted to hear from the association of hunters. I think that this is the FIRST time we have ever heard anything on these lines from the Federation.
I have often written against illegal hunting and of the many massacres of protected birds of prey that I have witnessed whilst photographing the Maltese countryside over the past 25 years or so.
The FKNK and my good friend Mark Mifsud Bonnici always replied aggressively to my comments and kept on defending their right to shoot Turtle Doves and Quail when this was NEVER the issue.
They always tried to deny that illegal hunting existed on a large scale when it was happening every single day.
The hunters now have a perfect opportunity to change their reputation by taking action themselves against the cowboys in their midst.
Their proposals are ground-breaking especially the 'name and shame' one.
If they manage to implement them seriously they will finally gain our support and respect.
I NEVER thought I would be saying this , but here goes......WELL DONE FKNK ...we are behind you on this one!
Mario Tabone
Mar 20th 2010, 09:25
Aha...so now we are changing the tune to suit . Now it is everybody else who is an extremist and not the hunters. So now we all be come David Baileys with cameras attached to our shotguns. And we are going to sustain life by breeding turtle dove and quail before shooting them. . What else ? Oh yes and pigs fly as well !!!!!
Hell will freeze before anybody will believe anything that is said by Maltese Hunters. All that matters to them is their own egoistic pleasure.
If you want to call ME an extremist please do so as yes I extremely detest the sensless killing that goes on. I extremely believe that Maltese hunters are selfish, arrogant ,blood thirsty people who dont care about preserving wildlife. I extremely dont trust and don't believe what they say or promise simple because I know them and their ways over many many years and last but not least I extremely believe that a total ban on the massacre of birds in Malta and Gozo is the only responsible way to go.
There you go...I am guilty. I am an extremist and of course proud of it.
m.anastasi
Mar 20th 2010, 08:57
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Dear PM
If we breed & release turtle doves & quails will you let us kill birds?
If we use portable hides will you let us kill birds?.
If we take up photography will you let us kill birds?
If we ‘welcome’ (good joke) the BirdLife Malta spring camp scheduled for April will you let us kill birds?
If we embark on a very serious name-and-shame campaign will you let us kill birds?
If we record on a daily basis the number of turtle doves and quail observed will you let us kill birds?
If we pay for police on extra duties to accompany CABS (another good joke) in April will you let us kill birds?
R. Galea
Mar 20th 2010, 07:47
Bla Bla Bla Bla........
Do not let these Bird killers fool you with all these nice world Mr Prime Minister....all they want is to blast birds in Spring...just don't let them fool you with some nice worlds.
Ray Buhagiar
Mar 20th 2010, 07:22
No way. Bird hunting and trapping is now obsolete. Evolve and find some other sport to practice. Perhaps nature photography, landscaping is ideal for hunters.
My grandfather was a hunter, my father was a hunter, but I am glad that my father saw the light and advised me to consider everything before taking up this 'outdated' hobby.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Mar 20th 2010, 06:46
Weldone FKNK , ignor all exremist opinion and let's start a fresh page.
This is my opinion
Tony
David Caruana
Mar 20th 2010, 01:34
@ C Mallia:
Totally agree with you. The Government and FKNK should seal a deal that if any fines are given to Malta, these should be paid by the Federation.
Clemens Hasengschwandtner
Mar 20th 2010, 00:20
I suggest that the procedure to get a hunting license should be changed. In many European countries hunters actually have to know something about the game they hunt. It's a bit like a driving test for hunters - you learn which species exist on the island, their breeding habits, learn to distinguish the different species in flight, gun safety, shooting practice etc. etc. etc.
Yes, it is a sport of some kind but it is also a responsibility. If you actually have to study to pass the hunting license test a lot of people would take it much more serious.
Antoine Grima
Mar 20th 2010, 00:06
Mr Jimmy Vella,just because you were out of control in your hunting days , it does not mean that every other hunter is.I for one,have got lots and lots of pictures taken by myself, of protected birds,namely birds of prey,taken during the hunting season.Yes i do hunt and birdwatch at the same time !!!!!! YES YES IT IS POSSIBLE. Very different to the attitude of removing all hunters from the country side so that they enjoy it on there own , taken by BLM . I don't mind bird watchers , cos i am one myself. Shame BLM does not think the same and does not want to share the country side with law abiding hunters .Does it hurt so much now that the FKNK is coming up with solutions that BLM was never capable of ? Welldone FKNK .
John Matthews
Mar 19th 2010, 23:06
@ C Mallia
Please explain to me how FKNK can control POACHERS or ILLEGAL shooters. Their membership maybe but not the idiots that do the illegal shooting.
ALSO you plant the seed that it is FKNK members. Has it not occured to you (and now I plant the seed) that it COULD be Birdlife sympathisers that are doing this to further their cause. This is not an accusation but it COULD be a possibilty. Consider it. I do NOT suggest that if this be the case that BLM condone this action. Please keep an open mind especially as there , at the moment, is no proof whatsoever only hearsay.
J Oatmon
Mar 19th 2010, 22:55
Sustainable hunting on a tiny urban island group like Malta and Gozo - give me a break!
These FKNK guys have disregarded the law for decades, if not centuries - so now they expect us to beleive they are suddenly law abiding, and have nature close to their hearts - give me a break!
These guys constantly break the law and some are caught - does that stop them - no if it flies kill it, and this is 'sport' - give me a break!
I think these bird killers need to go to the big open spaces, like Alaska, Canada or Siberia where they can kill everything they see and not make the birds extinct, rather than wipe out the dwindling birdlife in tiny urban Malta for 'sport',.
John Matthews
Mar 19th 2010, 22:30
@ Jimmy Vella
On a lighter side. I have never seen a flying police officer or a flying lawyer. Still there is always a first time.
C Mallia
Mar 19th 2010, 21:18
Alot of shallow talk and promises, thats what this statement is. Its been years that FKNK had the opportunity to seriously control their members, but instead are always attacking BLM , so why should we believe you now?
Give the monetary guarantee that if the EU prosecutes Malta again due to illegal hunting, then any eventual fines would have to be paid out of the hunters' pockets. Put your money where your mouth is.
The cherry on the cake though must go to the application for an EU Life+ project when inherently hunting is about death and distruction
John Matthews
Mar 19th 2010, 21:11
What a brilliant proposal.
I predict that Birdlife Malta AND ALL THE ANTIS will not have a favourable thing to say about this proposal.
STILL I MAYBE PROVED WRONG BUT I DOUBT IT.
Mark Gauci
Mar 19th 2010, 21:08
Great indeed !!! Checklist for the hunter.......gun, dog, thermos, portable hide, camera and mobile phone (to sms whenever a turtle dove or quail is shot)........funny indeed !!
jimmy Vella
Mar 19th 2010, 20:42
I was a hunter once and all I did was shoot at anything that fly.I still know a lot of hunters now and given a chance they will also shoot at anything that fly they include police officers Lawyers etc .The problem with Maltese hunters is that the young (18 year olds )are so militant and have no idea as to what huntig is all about just as I was untill I give all up and apreciate see them fly .So we are no further forward than we were say 30 years ago .Hunters in Malta given the chane will always shoot at any bird no questions asked .
Johnny Xerri
Mar 20th 2010, 06:59
If you really know about police officers, lawyers, etc, who shoot at anything that flies, just send an email from an internet cafe so that you cannot be traced to the police commisioner, the media and BLM with the details. Your not very credible if you blab your gob with insinuations but then fail to report these people.
I have been hunting for 10 years and know what hunting is all about more then you and any anti will ever dream to know. If its true (because I doubt that any body would publically admite to commiting crimes) as you say 'I was a hunter once and all I did was shoot at anything that fly' then I am sorry to tell you that you were a poacher not a hunter. A genuine hunter looks after his fields, creates idea habitats by planting trees and manages his land and most importantly only shoots at game birds destined for the pot.
As a hunter even though I can legally shoot any of the 32 bird species in autumn I refrain from killing some species, simply because they dont do for my pot (although other may enjoy hunting and cooking them).
Steve Demicoli
Mar 20th 2010, 08:47
@Jimmy Vella
Speak for yourself - just because by your own admission you used to 'shoot at anything that fly' - I guess you must mean anything that flies (not fly), this does not give you any right to generalize your irresponsible behaviour to the whole population of 'Maltese hunters', saying that 'given the chane will always shoot at any bird no questions asked'! (again, I guess you must have meant chance not chane). This behaviour just goes to show that you were never a true hunter but just an irresponsible shooter who gets a kick from shooting anything in the sky and who should never have been given a hunting licence in the first place! Hunting should be reserved for responsible hunters! - not the trigger-happy like you were -by your own admission! I know a lot of responsible hunters who wouldn't shoot at any of the protected species. Hunters I'm referring to would only use binoculars to admire protected birds.
D.Caruana
Mar 19th 2010, 20:14
Now we're talking!!!! Well done FKNK!! Very well done!
Paul Barrett
Mar 19th 2010, 20:06
Some very interesting and constructive suggestions here.
M.Brincat
Mar 19th 2010, 20:06
I stopped reading at 'sustainable'. Whatever this is, we can't do it in Malta
M. Cardona
Mar 19th 2010, 20:03
Well done FKNK these proposals reflect us as hunters and CONSERVATIONISTS. There will undoubtedly be those usual few who will as now customary criticise nonetheless. But they're too extremist so their opinion remains just that bla bla bla....the opinion of extremists as opposed to these very objective proposals!