BirdLife, CABS record 1,300 illegalities during spring watch
CABS team ambushed
More than 1,300 illegalities have been recorded during the three-week spring watch camp held between April 11 and yesterday, BirdLife president Joseph Mangion said this morning.
Footage and a detailed report, he said, would be presented to the European Commission, from which they expected action against Malta for failing to abide by the derogation’s rules.
Committee Against Bird Slaughter spokesman Axel Hirschfeld reported that his team were this morning ambushed by five people wearing balaclavas in Dingli. The attackers threw stones at the team who reported the incident at the Rabat police station.
Mr Mangion said that what CABS and BirdLife had in hand proved that the government spring hunting derogation had failed to meet even the strict supervision test and other conditions of the Birds Directive.
Around 260 illegal hunting and trapping incidents were recorded during the six-day season outside the permitted times. These included hunting from rooftops, the use of illegally modified shotguns in over 100 cases, targeting of protected species as well as active trapping.
Over 640 observed cases of hunting were observed with 1,305 shots heard in Malta alone during the mornings of the derogation period. This led to the conclusion that many hunters who did not have the necessary spring hunting licence were targeting migratory birds.
Mr Hirschfeld said that CABS only covered five per cent of island so this was the tip of the iceberg.
Despite their good intentions, the police could only deal with a fraction of the incidents.
Some of the poachers and hunters, he said, were encouraged by law because of the laughable penalties.
CABS, he said, demanded the Maltese government to change the minimum penalties imposed by law.
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M. Cardona
May 4th 2010, 15:40
@ H Wolf
"radix malorum est cupiditas" either way but especially for those who have financial gain from fomenting and inferring illegalities!
Extemism unfortunately tends to breed a counter opposing extremist reaction. I can't and won't condone any form of violence be it physical and be it psychological, but an extremist reaction is usually the end result of extremist actions.
With regards to traditions, who planted Buskett and why? That was in the 1500's. Have you ever heard about an uprising following curtailment of hunting in Malta? That was in the 1600's if I'm not mistaken. That's besides the fact that the human hunter has always utilised the hunting tools available in his day and age. So if a hunter formerly hunted turtle doves in Spring with a bow and arrow or a net or a falcon or an obsolete black-powder gun he was nonetheless traditionally pursuing the hunt in spring as per local geographical and migratory peculiarities and limitations. A tradition does not necessarily focus on the tools but the practice, norms, values and common traits between those who uphold that tradition and culture.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 4th 2010, 13:01
H Wolf, may I remind you that I based my comment regarding your having German ancestors according to what you had stated earlier. How could you have ever expected me to know of your being pure American??!! Even now, I am not convinced as to whether you are German/American/Japanese/ whatever!
Meanwhile I assure you that your argument regarding the ILLEGAL act of rape does not compare at all with abortion, a LEGAL thing in Germany, America and other countries!! You comment that: " Hunt yes, but do so responsibly so that you can pass on your "tradition" to those that come after you." However, in your previous comments you lacked respect towards the many Maltese law-abiding hunters who have been deprived of their rightful enjoyment of the Spring Hunting Season? How is that for consistency!!
Finally, Sir/Madam, my Christian beliefs include: Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you!!! The antis' disrespect, intollerance and hatred towards the many law-abiding hunters are not included in my religion!!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 3rd 2010, 19:43
H Wolf, primarily you should have asked yourself first whether others accept you as a brother! I can see from your various comments that you enjoy preaching to others but you are not prepared to accept what others tell you. Notwithstanding that you sate that your "country is Malta", this in no way gives you the right to be proud as we Maltese are of our past! You also tend to bring in ridiculous comparisons. Child rape is illegal whereas hunting is legal. And btw being insultive towards others shows your frustration for lack of factual arguments. Please try to restrain your german traits! Who exactly do you think you are to state that "we ship you out now"??!! Over our dead bodies will we, the Maltese, allow a foreigner to ship out one of our own!!!!!
H Wolf
May 3rd 2010, 21:53
Is the comparison between child rape and hunting any less ridiculous than the comparison between hunting and abortion? As I said below and which you selectively ignored, I clearly stated that it was a comparison both as factual and as disgusting as that between hutning and abortion.
It is a German trait to be insultive? I think you should look at all the comments from the Maltese as well and see that being insulting, demeaning, and argumentative is a trait shared by all the human race. FYI, my heritage is german but I'm pure American. Please get your facts striaght and stop making incorrect suppositions.
Regarding shipping anyone out, please, stop selectively reading (though that seems to be your prime method of argumentation, simply ignoring 90% of what others say). What I said and later pointed out to those that did not understand, if you make a law that ships makes anyone "persona non-grata" for "harming Malta" where does it stop? Does the government in power accuse all of the opposition and ship them out?
Regarding the statements below about being "brothers", whether you like it or not, Malta is part of the world and ...cont...
H Wolf
May 3rd 2010, 21:59
The responsibility of it's people does not stop at the point where water meets land. We are all brothers and sisters together with a shared responsibility to this world because it is the only world we have. To top it off, it's not even OUR world, it's on loan from our children and their children and their children's children.
And that even goes for the hunters. Hunt yes, but do so responsibly so that you can pass on your "tradition" to those that come after you.
And the final note, your first sentence shows quite clearly how dearly you hold the other great traditions of Malta. Not catholic much anymore, eh?
fyi, discussing by providing reasoned and thought out comments and expecting such is not preaching. It's called debate.
R. Orland
May 3rd 2010, 08:29
Il-fatt li joqghodu jigu l-barranin jispijjaw fuqna, jien ma' nifimiehx....kemm il-grupp minn Malta jmur f'pajjizi ohra biex jispijja fuq nies ta' pajjizi barranin? Ghaliex ghandna bzonn barrani biex jikxfilna l-borom?
Tal-Birdlife dejjem jigbdu lejhom iridu....biex umbad kulhadd jista' jara kemm ghad hawn min jemmen fihom...just kemm tara dan il-video, tindunaw x'folla kien hemm ghal laqa li kellhom!....NOFS TUZZANA NIES!!!
M. Cardona
May 2nd 2010, 23:05
@H Wolf
assuming that one gives "in to base feelings" you sure shoot some from the hip when "someone disagrees with you". Is the "maltese falcon" thus some subspecies of "falco conmotus"?
"I look at every society of the world and I find not one that has "age old traditions" that should be done away with." Agreed, likewise I disagree or have diiffering perspectives with/on so many foreign societies' "age old traditions" and yet have the respect not criticise them with my subjective and alien interpretation.
In Malta, we have no alternative to hunting turtle doves and quail in spring and that is why our hunting traditions have always focused on their spring hunting. Now you may not agree with hunting practiced as a sport, but try to review the broad meaning of "traditions" as age old practices and local customs. In that sense, from my perspective, anyone who seeks to abolish spring hunting is seeking to abolish what we Maltese hunters perceive as our tradition passed down to us by our forefathers.
Enjoy the rest of the evening since apparently you missed most of the day blogging :-)
Regards
H Wolf
May 3rd 2010, 09:48
Actually M. Cardona. Let's get your "age old tradition" in line.
There is zero age old tradition for hunting in Malta. Trapping yes, hunting no. Hunting was introduced by the English in the past few hundred years and as such, is not your "age old tradition".
Please, direct me to the museums in Malta showing 1000, 2000 year old hunting implements. Heck, show me one that's even 500 years old that is a Maltese tradition. Hunters have no ground to claim their "sport" is a "age old tradition", trappers do.
Regarding my criticism of "hunting" in Malta, you will see one thing. I was civil and doing my best the ridiculous circular arguments from both sides. Sometimes it takes a fresh eye to see what is right in front of everyone. Yet how did people respond? Open hostility, insults, disrespect...can you see why I am considerably less inclined to be supportive of hunters?
I am not against hunting, I've said that many times. But people need to understand that they must suffer the consequences of their actions. I feel sorry, very sorry, for those reasonable hunters that have tried to follow the law and are being painted with cont....
H Wolf
May 3rd 2010, 09:56
the same stick as those that decided that they will take the law into their own hands and do as they please. Their silence is harming them as much as the actions of the poachers.
Regarding spring hunting, I've said it before...It seems that being part of the EU (which has brought many benefits as well as the negatives, but seems only the negatives get any light of day) that this may be difficult. Difficult but not impossible. At least until this year. This was a testing season, "Could the Maltese police themselves and stick to agreed targets and limit poaching?" I don't think anyone can say that Malta passed this test. The results of this season will be reflected on as part of any future attempt to apply derogation to spring hunting. I'm sorry, thank the poachers for this...IMO, there should have been 20x as many hunter patrols as CABS patrols making sure that poaching did not occur.
The hunters say that fall hunting is not a suitable alternative to spring because of the abyssmal bags. I offered a suggestion and instead of making another suggestion to try and find a solution, the responses were basically GTFO.
John Matthews
May 2nd 2010, 18:51
WOW!! 1305 shots HEARD means nothing. When will the antis grow up and produce proof and not hearsay. Whether you like it or not, HEARING shots is NOT proof. I further add that anyone with a grain of sense, depending on atmospheric conditions etc would not be able to tell the difference between fireworks, cars back firing and gun shots. C'mon PROVE me wrong. I said PROVE PROVE me wrong.
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 21:17
Two words.
Occam's Razor.
John Matthews
May 2nd 2010, 21:55
@ H Wolf
Occams Razor --------- "Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity"
I hope you've sent this to Birdlife Malta after all look how many times they have multiplied beyond necessity, and that is a PROVEN fact i.e their ficticious millions of birds etc etc.
H Wolf
May 3rd 2010, 10:34
Yes, this must be applied to both sides. However, in this case, you asked how anyone can say hearing shots is proof as it could be any number of things, including, I quote "atmospheric conditions".
If I am sitting next to a known hunting site and I am hearing what sounds like gunshot (and many shots are not single, you know this) then with all probability they ARE gunshots. If I was sitting near a main road during traffic and hearing what sounded like gunshots, then with all likeliablity they are backfires from cars.
This is what Occam's razor means. The current english translation is as follows, "The simplest explanation is usually the correct one".
Philip Galea
May 2nd 2010, 16:06
We are being run by foreigners once again. CABS, Bird life Malta(?) Mr.Tolga Temuge, who is not even an E.U. citizen being a Turk,and Dr.Andre Raine from Bermuda.
We can now understand what Mr. Temuge meant when in his first interview to this paper he had said that he had 'A secret weapon' to stop hunting in Malta.
No doubt what his secret weapon is, all his allies he has overseas are attacking Malta from all directions,trying to put pressure on all parties in order to get what they want.
M. Cardona
May 2nd 2010, 15:22
@ H Wolf
maybe we should ship yours truly and those who like you disrespect their hosting nation's centuries old traditions whilst imposing their opinions and biased perceptions on the local populace. While we're at it we should revoke 3rd country nationals (non-EU) work permits particularly if these are being salaried to foment social unrest and hateful divisions, " should we ship you out now"? Guess the earlier the better.
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 19:45
Show me where I have disrespected age old traditions? I attempted to discuss a compromise and was basically told to stuff it. For a country that prides itself on it's catholic traditions, tolerance and welcome, it surely doesn't show in these pages.
Because of my name you know my status? Really, interesting supposition.
The only ones in Malta fomenting unrest are those that refuse to follow the law. Would there be so many articles in the papers if there were not so many poachers, so many willing to damage private vehicles, take the law into their own hands in the form of violence? Maybe you should look at them.
And age old traditions, let's compare them...hunters like to bring up abortion, let's look at some "age old" traditions from Malta...
Torture chambers under M'dina. Neolithic societies (pre-christianity almost every single religion included human sacrifice), hunting the maltese falcon to extinction....are you so proud of all of your history Cardona? I look at every society of the world and I find not one that has "age old traditions" that should be done away with.
But what ones HAVE you done away with, courtesy, respect....think before you speak.
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 19:48
And excuse me, who is imposing their opinions on your society? Is this not a free society to discuss problems and solutions? The only place I have entered this fray is on these pages, so please, where have I imposed my opinion on you?
Perhaps you'd just like to just turn back the clock on Maltese society to a point where you can just shoot anyone that disagrees with your opinion?
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 19:50
And FYI, my comment was simply to point out how ridiculous his suggestion was. As soon as you institute a policy like that, guess what, if you're in the party opposite that in power, say goodbye to Malta.
No problem was ever solved by giving in to base feelings. Only bigger ones created.
Dennis Zammit
May 2nd 2010, 08:27
I recommend all Maltese honest citizens who really love their country before anything else, even a tweety bird, to push for an immediate urgent law that outlaws and declares 'persona non grata' anyone who harms the Maltese nation or its interests even if the person is Maltese.
It is not right that for the sake of a personal agenda, these so called bird loving persons, deliberately harm all the hard work many local tax paying citizens do to attract business to Malta and create jobs. Then these CABS from the same country who harmed and killed millions of people during the last ware come here to 'teach us what to do'. They should be BANNED from entering our country until at least they prove, their hobby is first arranged in their country.
We have had enough !!
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 12:59
I hereby nominate Dennis Zammit as the first persona non-grata for the act of defending a crime. Should we ship you out now?
Richard Muscat
May 2nd 2010, 08:00
@ Wolf
I think it is about time you get all facts right. Hunters are NOT & will NEVBR Beg to what is their s by RIGHT! so please spare us of your philosophical thoughts & arguments which obviously smell of what is "Good" only for your objectives!
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 12:56
Muscat, sorry, but you have ZERO rights other than the right to draw breath from moment to moment. Norms of society are set by the majority.
There are 12,000 hunters that have been holding an island of 450,000 hostage to their demands for their rights. Should we treat you any different if you were child rapists? "We want a derogation to rape children as much as possible and if you don't like it we wont' vote for you". It's as factual and distasteful as the current claims by hunters comparing hunting to abortion.
Get real and grow up. I tried to be reasonable, I tried to come up with a solution to make all happy, but you arrogant spoiled children have turned yet another person against you. I hope Malta decides to outlaw hunting 100% and takes your poptoys away from you now.
Marco Pizani
May 2nd 2010, 16:56
@ Wolf
Grow up AND GET A LIFE. Do not even try to make similar examples comparing to child abusers. SHAME on You !!
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 20:24
@Mr. Pizani, guess what, my comparison was no more or less respulsive than those saying that hunting should be legal because abortion is, or even comparing the two.
Carmel Cilia
May 2nd 2010, 07:05
It seems to me that for birdlife and its directors the only trouble we have in these islands is illigal hunting. well well you have now gone over the limit and if the E.U were to fine us maltese citizens because you say so then you should try and go somewhere else for bird watching. The maltese divided as they are over the shooting of birds would surely unite as one against you for taking action against all the citizens.
So now I think it is the time for birdlife to start slowing down on its actions and give time to time.Please do not humiliate us further by bringing in foreigners to control over Maltese citizens. For this alone you can never have my support.
Gordon Hunt
May 2nd 2010, 00:45
Part 3:
Dear Maltese Hunters, close your eyes when you see one of the BirdLife`s members try to provoke you , to incriminate you and try to put you in jail. Their job is to incriminate hunters and make them to do things that don’t want to do and increase the lies and incriminates that Maltese hunters already have on their conduct. I know how it feel when somebody take part from your life for fun and for their own interest.
Dear Maltese People, stop listening to this lies and don`t believe in Birdlife theories, they have nothing to do, only try to destroy other people`s life and lying. Be strong and help Maltese Hunters they are your brothers from the some mother country.
Thanks,
Mr. Gordon Hunt
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 13:03
Sorry, but I do not accept as my brother anyone that takes the life of an innocent simply to "see it flutter out of the sky". Hunting has been going on for 1000's of years yes, but to supply sustenance. To put food on the table. What there is now is a culture that just wants to kill something and that is the pleasure. Not the satisfaction of feeding their family. I 100% support hunting as an act of survival, of feeding people, I do not support it as a sport. If you want a sport, shoot clay pigeons.
Gordon Hunt
May 2nd 2010, 00:43
Part 2:
This crimes showed up in this video is the only crimes recorded because when I watch a BirdLife footage always show the same recordings again and again. Do you know that BirdLife is brainwashing young children in the Maltese schools without the permission of their parents by showing them dead birds and teach them how to hate your father and grandpa because he is a traditional hunter or trapper?
BirdLife first of all don`t money in magazines showing dead birds that you don`t know what was the cause because none of you are qualified in forensic investigation and you are always assume that Maltese hunters murdered these birds. Second you better start to use recycled paper for the magazines you send because you are killing tress and the birds love so much will not have a place to stay and rest.
Mr. Gordon Hunt
May 2nd 2010, 00:40
All the people in Malta that are not familiar with hunting and trapping of birds, believes BirdLife now I know wcall them BirdLies.
BirdLife in Malta are using a way to convince people against hunters by lies and brainwash people.
BirdLife is lying about the Maltese Hunters and disrespect the Police by trying to take their job. Can you imagine how I feel when somebody not qualified in my line of work try to tell me what to do and try to impress me and be pretentious? I feel that I have wasted the time listening to boring lectures and doing homework till late every day for many years. After all, the entire thing that person is trying to impress me with is totally wrong because he is not trained and qualified in my sector. BirdLife let the police do their job and stop wasting precious time, go get a life!!
J Caruana
May 2nd 2010, 00:24
I used to be a hunter but I decided that it is not worth my time a few years ago. I cannot understand how come you people try to judge hunters when you have no idea what is like to be one. Well I was a hunter and so I can fully understand the concerns. All those who are voting for a no-hunting in spring will vote for a no-hunting all year round. So, it is not really a spring issue, that's an excuse, it is simply an anti-hunting campaign.
You people think that hunters are old, fat, ignorant idiots with no life. I know a lot of professionals who are hunters, I myself, am a professional. Hunters are normal people who enjoy wild life and yes, they hunt birds and I'm ok with it, if you're not, that's your problem, don't make it theirs'.
So, CABS, Get a LIFE, Hunters, go abroad.
r sammut
May 1st 2010, 23:21
Is that so, only 5% of the country has been covered? Please can CABS express the percentage covered of their own countries when they can manage 100times or perhaps even 1000 times the number of members that visited Malta? Mr Mangion manipulation of figures! He remarked that the government should not listen to a small portion of the population but then listen to BLM, far lesser in numbers!
Had a regular season been consented by government, many of the poaching activities claimed by BLM would have fallen into regularity. Others illegalities would have also been curtailed because of fear being spotted by other law abiding hunters out hunting and… watching.
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 12:58
@r.sammut: if if if, the fact is this. There was not a "regular" season and the incidents were poaching. Sorry, but you have no legal leg to stand on.
H Wolf
May 1st 2010, 22:28
cont....
Now there is only the choice to move forward. I understand you feel lied to, but you made the singular mistake of trusting politicians in need of your vote. The proof is in the release linked below by Johnny Scerri.
It states at that time that Malta informed the EU that they would APPLY for a derogation and this was acknowledged by the EU. Until the application and the approval, this statement means nothing. It's like telling the person at the bank that I'm going to apply for a loan and they say, "Okay". It doesn't mean that I'll get my loan. You were not lied to, but you were definately not given the whole truth.
At this point I do not think you will ever be able to get a satisfactory spring season. So I say work on the fall season. Use the hunting fees to pay for raising of traditional game birds for release during hunting season into the traditional hunting areas. Modern methods keep the birds scared of humans and responsive like wild bred. Bag limits will be far more than you're used to and if any are not shot, then you're peforming conservation as well.
Johnny Xerri
May 2nd 2010, 07:48
Apart from that link the government sent us letters saying that they had negotiated with the EU, so that hunting would remain as is.
They did not say that they would apply for a derogation, but that they had prengotiated one.
As for the give and take the hunting season prior to 2003 was from 25 March till the 22 May, and was for 32 species.
Hunters are ready to accept a season for just 2 bird species, and of a shorter duration.
A far cry from what was promised, but still a viable solutution.
What we are not ready to accept is that raptor hunting is ok in Germany, nut then is used by the same Germans to turnish our appearance. What we are not ready to accept is a farce of a season based on lots. We were all promised a season in 2003, they needed as many votes as possible and not just 2500.
If the problem is the EU the government has 3 options:
1. Open the season as promised, and apply a proper derogation within the parameters of the ECJ ruling
2. Open and pay fines.
3. Do a retake of the referendum
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 12:52
@Xerri, I see. Let the ENTIRE maltese population pay for your demands to have your little toy, eh? How very altruistic of you.
I'm sorry, but the only RIGHT you have is to draw one breath from one moment to the next. Stop talking about you you you you and think for once about responsibility. Because sir, you act like you have none.
It's amazing that someone starts talking solutions and all you can talk about is "If I got shafted, I want to shaft all of Malta"
H Wolf
May 1st 2010, 22:20
The main problem here is this, noone wants to compromise. CABS and BLM on one side, hunters on the other. Each one wants the shiny coin and refuses to give in. In the end, all that remains is twisted feelings, hatred and intolerance.
Noone likes to have their dirty laundry pointed out and put on show so we complain about CABS. But the fact is, the dirty laundry is there and it is our responsibility to do something about it.
Hunters, during this non-spring hunting season, you gave BLM and CABS exactly what they wanted. Some of you turned into poachers and the others allowed them to. They now have all the ammuntion they need to prove to the ECJ that the Maltese are incapable of following rules and regulations when it comes to hunting. As they cannot be followed, your shiny is taken away.
If you had acted responsibly, drawn lots among your numbers for this year for the licences and follwed the rules strictly, I guarantee that next year the licenses would be fully availble to all, more time, and better bags. You can be 100% sure that there will be zero spring hunting next year.
lgalea
May 1st 2010, 23:26
H Wolf how about your country's much more dirty laundry on ABORTION which is the MURDEER OF HUMAN BEINGS. Go to this link Wolf and see how many murders of innocent human beings are committed http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/index.html#ST is the main page. Go find your country.
H Wolf
May 2nd 2010, 12:49
Uhm, my country is Malta. Just because my ancestry is German doesn't make me guilty of what they do. Stop trying to change the subject.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 1st 2010, 22:01
Joe Mangion, so now you are bringing in a new argument. Not so long ago you were stating that Spring Hunting is illegal. Today, I heard you say in the video that Spring Hunting is not possible because of illegalities! Where is consistency?! Meanwhile, I urge you, or maybe Axel Hirschfeld to give us the long-awaited assurance that CABS personnel are "clean" while roaming our countryside. Why are you finding it so difficult to put our minds at rest?!!!!
Haak Sten, you have no right to be INSULTIVE TOWARDS TO MALTESE CITIZENS! Shame on you! One thing is for sure, you just cannot comment in an educated manner!
J Cutajar and A Attard, are you serious?! Why are you trying to be cynical?! Am I to understanding that you are against the killing of birds but in favour of the killing of human-beings?! If so, you will not be the first! We already have other who are anti-hunting but pro-abortion!
Ray.Bartolo
May 1st 2010, 19:06
Everyone has had enough of these birdlife stories which do an irreversable amount of harm to our economy. I have a tourist based business and it is not fair to depict our island as a bunch of hungry poachers ! Respect our economy and stop this mud throwing because in the end Maltese families will suffer.
Jason Borg
May 1st 2010, 22:07
Mr. Bartolo - il-hmieg jitnaddaf irid u mhux jitghatta.
Andrew Borg
May 2nd 2010, 08:07
Jason Borg
I suggest that you visit all EU countries includin the USA to judge what is according to you "Hmieg"...& you can define hmieg to a load of wrongs in life....The majority of Maltese hunters are only after turtle dove hunting which species is NOT in any danger. Get your facts right. How can this tiny island make a difference to any species is still a mystery to various experts in the field however of course BL & CABS are there to twist all facts as usual !!
j.schmebri
May 1st 2010, 18:58
all those who wrote and attacked BLM because they are reporting what happened to the EU, whether they are hunters, poachers or not, are indirectely supporting the hunting issue in Malta. What our MEPs and Government officials in the EU do not have the courage to do, is being done by a local NGO. They have the right to do so and I encourage them to continue with their good and risky job. A minority group of poachers who are not law abiding cannot for sure dictate our Government how to rule and what to do. In the recent past there was MEPs who reported short comings of the Malta government gto the EU, so why are these MEPs not doing the same thing in this case. Is it a case because they fear of loosing votes personally and their party? Come on have the courage and be gentlemen enough and support BLM This arrogant attitude have to come to an end once and for all.
A. Pullicino
May 1st 2010, 18:39
Thanks BLM and CABS for your valid and important work.
Your efforts are much appreciated!
J S Borg
May 1st 2010, 18:07
@BLM, CABS, Haak Sten( this sounds like a very middle east name) So these persons would like to report MALTA to the EU. So would advise them to report Germany as well, were I had witnessed hunters shooting at eagles. Only recently I watched a documentary on a German station about illegal hunting in Germany.
John Borg
May 1st 2010, 17:58
This article did not mention the number of illegalities connected to protected birds (not turtle dove and quail). Looks like these bird species have not been targeted by hunters (although according to BLM & CABS most hunters where out there). This means that actually hunters were able and did control themselves and refrained from shooting protected birds. However they weren't able to refrain from shooting turtle doves and quails which after all hunting in Malta is mostly about hunting for these species. Should the government have opened a three week season BLM & CABS would have had little to count and hunters would have been happy and CABS the most welcome to help eradicate the odd poachers.
N Xuereb
May 1st 2010, 17:25
Since when are aviaries illegal, according to BLM? Misinforming the public as usual.
John Inguanez
May 1st 2010, 17:22
Well done Birdlife! Go and do more harm for Malta during the tourist booking season. Of course you would report your own country; if that is not so, you would not get any financial support for your projects.
I am no hunter and against illegal hunting, but I am also against those who do harm to their country. Why the environmental guards coming from Germany would not try and monitor their country's situation in environmental fields.
C Grech
May 1st 2010, 17:03
Simple mathematics - 640 observed cases...in 5% of Malta. Multiply 640 by 20 to get 100% will leave you to 12800 shots. Assuming that ALL of Malta including cities are used to shoot birds ;-)
Far cry (literally) from official statistics of 130,000 abortions yearly in Germany alone (http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/germany/ab-ges.html)
Perhaps Europe should, instead of (or even in addition to) CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter), should also have a different committee - this time Committee Against Baby Slaughter.
J.Cutajar
May 1st 2010, 17:19
Then drop hunting & start adopting babies
A.Attard
May 1st 2010, 17:26
''Far cry (literally) from official statistics of 130,000 abortions yearly in Germany''
Simple mathematics less German babys, = less future CABS members.
I thought hunters hated the Germans, how come they're so concerned about their babys now,
surly you don't want more German babys to grow into more CABS members.
A. Borg
May 1st 2010, 16:51
Dear Govt. Seize hunting in Malta once and forever. This is not a SPORT nor a HOBBY this is a MASSACRE of the innocent taking place everyday.
lgalea
May 1st 2010, 23:33
Anthony Dimech go to this link http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/index.html#ST and see how many innocent BABIES are MURDERED in the countries from where CABS and their ilk are coming and go protest there and tell them to stop their MURDER of innocent defenseless HUMAN BEINGS. Go to this page http://www.cnimalta.org/180210.html and scroll down and see a couple of MURDERED babies Mr Dimech. Then go to the CABS countries and protest against these murders.
Haak Sten
May 1st 2010, 16:39
All the best to CABS for their importent contribution to stopping this sick culture they have on this island. It's low IQ "hunters" who think: Lets us see how many birds we can torture today.....
Anthony A. Mifsud
May 1st 2010, 18:31
@ Haak Sten, how dare you insult people on low IQ?
If you are so intelegent you should educate not the other way round, how low can you be.
Toni
lgalea
May 1st 2010, 23:24
Haak Sten It is you and your foreign interfering ilk that are are low IQ. Stop interfering in our internal affairs and see how many HUMAN BEING are being MURDERED in YOUR country with ABORTION. Go here and find your country Sten http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/index.html#ST
Haak Sten
May 2nd 2010, 00:20
People with normal and high IQ do not torture birds for fun!
Anthony A. Mifsud
May 1st 2010, 16:25
Should the last paragrph be addressed to me, by who ever wrote the article " CABS " If I am not mistaken!
I would send them packing, as I will not use other words, as the editor we sensor me. Hopw could they possibly DEMAND the Malta Govt to change the LAW? They have the face to come in a forigine land and demand? How many times have one traveled abroad and demanded that the Govt in question change the Law.
I have an advice to CABS and to that Mr Mangion, you have a task that you should embark on, The Golf of Mexico, Why don't you all go to Lousiana and spend your time there where has been a disaster, on both the envouirment and on the wils life, just keep out of the swamps as its infested with Crocs, I know as worked there.
I sudgeset that you take the Trurk with you too.
What a bunch of good for nothing pipping toms.
Sorry but I had to air my lungs, 1300 notes that is nothing compaired to the ilegalities that take place in germany every day.
Please go home and don't come to our Malta.
Toni
A. Borg
May 1st 2010, 16:52
2 Bad does not make 1 good.
V Falzon
May 1st 2010, 16:23
@ Mario Spiteri. "If Birdlife has all this evidence, surely the police will have no problem arraigning the culprits"
Like everyone else, all BirdLife people can do when they see illegal hunting is report it to the police, which they do, often with yards of film footage. What more can a common citizen do? The problem is that the police - with all the goodwill in the world - are way short of adequate equipment or manpower to even monitor, let alone control, this pestilence.
J MIcallef
May 1st 2010, 15:47
i totally agree with mario mangion.... hunters are law abiding citizens.... hunting has been existing for ages... they are not doing damage to any one !!!! they are not selling drugs to shorten our kids life!!! they are not drinking in bars and doing drinkdriving in our roads... they are just spending their life in afield..... their families are not stressed with their reckless life but our authorities wants these families to suffer abuse and intolerance.. or spending their hard earned cash in pills in order to survive their life because they are not allowed to pracitce their hobby just like anyone else..... why are pointing fingers to hunters when you know that you have FOUR fingers at you? why are you letting EC punishing Malta? why do we maltese people need not have our freedom as once had been? Why are we living then?
Jason Borg
May 1st 2010, 22:12
In fact - there will soon be a mass beatification of our saintly, suffering hunters.
Adrian Allain
May 1st 2010, 15:40
@ George Gauchi
Is this not the 'Times of Malta' website; an English language newspaper? That should answer your question.
I find it really surprising that comments in Maltese are so often allowed on these pages. There are many Maltese only papers for those who wish to use their native language.
Concerning the subject matter. The hunters were asking for Malta 33,135 bags in the short spring season. That is for a population of 419,285 people.
Apply that to the UK population of 61,414,062; that would be equivalent to 4,851,710 birds slaughtered in the UK alone. Then do the same for France, Germany, Spain, Italy and so on.
Would anyone with any scrap of common-sense or decency find that acceptable?
D. Cachia
May 1st 2010, 18:43
1. Excuse me? This is the 'Times of Malta', and as far as I know Maltese is an official language, so in the comments section we are free to write in Maltese if we so desire. Implying we should not use our mother tongue on our own websites is quite rude.
2. Secondly, your agrument makes absolutely no sense. If you are worried about how much birds are killed in the UK... well..... go post comments in the UK! 33k in Malta is a drop in the ocean and is sustainable and that's all that concerns us. Whether or not the English want to kill 4 million birds is in their own damn business.
C.Formosa
May 1st 2010, 19:08
You have no clue what you are talking about.
you will find that what Maltese hunters catch in a season is caught on an average day in France, Italy or UK.
Whats more if you open any European hunting magazine you will find hunting trips to Argentina and other places advertised where the expected catch for the 2 weeks trip is 12000 doves per person. Then some faceless bureaucrat and some dodgy organisation has the cheek to declare that the dozen turtledoves shot by Maltese shooters is endangering the species.
Give us a break.
George Gauchi
May 2nd 2010, 08:30
@Adrian Allain,
Here is what the average UK hunter`s daily shooting-bag is and he is allowed to hunt all year yes all year compared to the Maltese hunter`s bag,
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/galleries/selected/code/GALLERIES/id/10255/page/4/title/shooting-pictures
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/galleries/selected/code/GALLERIES/id/10255/page/9/title/shooting-pictures
http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/galleries/selected/code/GALLERIES/id/10255/page/10/title/shooting-pictures
These are facts as you can see and not BLA
W Galea
May 1st 2010, 15:29
'Mr Hirschfeld said that CABS only covered five per cent of island so this was the tip of the iceberg' - this pseudo scientific statistic is laughable as any person with some basic knowledge of statistics would say!!
Mentioning 5% of the island and then multiplying by 20 to get to astrononomical and unrealistic figures simply to make some sort of impression!
I live in a rural area and have neither heard as many shots as there used to be in previous years (far from it) but going for walks I have neither witnessed any increase in turtledoves and quails...
I would rather rely on properly studied scientific data than rely on these figures.
Incidentally I do have a scientific background...and I am NOT a hunter.
K Cassar
May 1st 2010, 15:11
Well said Mr Mangion! From this interview one can get a better understanding what BirdLife is really promoting, this is very important to come across this dormant public of listeners who just know there is a problem between the hunters and the government and do not delve in the situation to understand what really the issue is.
Live and Let Live!
Joe Camilleri
May 1st 2010, 15:10
Mr Mangion said "Politicians should not just listen to the voice of a minority - 2:37" well from the footage one could really see if he has a majority, as always more speakers than audiance.
2:45 "hunters have 5 months from when they can shoot" WRONG AGAIN ... September is afternoons no hunting, sundays and public holidays again no afternoons and most of all, the ECJ confirmed that these 5 months are NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO SPRING
George Gauchi
May 1st 2010, 14:56
Well I don`t really care about hunting or what so ever but one thing I ask why is this documentary in English and why not in Maltese,maybe so that the whole world will understand it and will know what`s happening,after all the hunting season was open for 6 half days and maybe the special licenced hunters didn`t want to put the arm-band and so could look like someone from the second world war,that`s when the arm-bands were mostly used.
Mario Spiteri
May 1st 2010, 14:43
I am not a hunter and never supported the hunting lobby. But the respect I had for Birdlife has vanished after I read that Birdlife President Joseph Mangion is going to report his OWN country to the European Commission. He is also expecting the EC to take action .... Action (fines) against his fellow countrymen, the vast majority of whom are law abiding citizens and are not hunters. If Birdlife has all this evidence, surely the police will have no problem arraigning the culprits, who will then (if found guilty) be made to pay the fines that Mr. Mangion is urging the EC to impose on Malta. That is how justice is done in a democracy, Mr. Mangion.
John Ebejer
May 1st 2010, 15:16
It has become common parlance to start one's comments with something like 'I am not a hunter and never supported the hunting lobby but ...' and then, the usual follows. Speak clearly and state exactly where your sentiments lie. If you are against hunting you are in favour of Birdlife and CABS in the context we are living in, because practice has shown that the Maltese, by themselves, ar unable to control the situation. Police included!
alex grech
May 1st 2010, 14:05
Its a pity all this fuss about the hunters but i have one solution to the problem (LOL) i would allow hunting every day, sundays, public hoildays, any time no time limits, on one condition that for every protected bird that is shot down illegaly one day is deducted form next year hunting and i am sure next year there will be no hunting at all hurrraaaaaaaa the only problem is that 365 bird would have been martyred
peter fitzgerald
May 1st 2010, 13:55
On viewing a holocost site Eisenhower once said film this because one day some!!!!!!! will say this never happened. Yes CABS tell the world what realy is going on in this island. Of course some people will deny it, Call it fabricated, call you liers threaten you, and turn personal or political to try win a lost cause. i have been seeing this abuse from when i was a child.
salvu abela
May 2nd 2010, 08:02
@Peter Fitzgerald,
Eisenhower yes he did film the holocaust but did he film Hirosima and Nagasaki in Japan after the Bomb cleaned the two cities.
Paul Borg
May 1st 2010, 13:44
@David Bonello........A parliamentary secratary once said that if the European Union dictates one thing , we must abide, enjoy the promise.
Hunting and trapping is a hobby of many. On the other hand commercial fishing is the livelyhood of fishermen, and yet they cannot fish all year round and catch as much as they can, You know why ? Cause the European Union said so.
Bonello David
May 1st 2010, 18:37
Mr. Borg we were told that we would still be the rulers of our country if we join the EU, not like you said. The thing is that we have some people who instead of not agreeing with the way things are being done, are politicly minded. You should do something better not to let these foreigners, label maltese people like you, criminals. After all we'r all maltese. ps. Im fully against illegal hunting but im also against foreigners who want to dictate our way of life. CABS should monitor their country of origin especially the ones who still have the death penalty.
Farrugia A
May 1st 2010, 13:39
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Cabs / Birdlife do not have the resources to catch all that happens red handed.
lgalea
May 1st 2010, 13:38
"CABS, he said, demanded the Maltese government to change the minimum penalties imposed by law."
Who are these foreigners who demand the Maltese government to change our laws? Go to HELL foreigners and see what happens in your own country where you MURDER HUMAN BEINGS through ABORTION http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/ab-frgermany.html
Bonello David
May 1st 2010, 13:05
The goverment should make laws with heavy penalties for people like CABS, who are all foreigners & want to interfere with the way we live. They are the ones with the help of BLM people who are putting a bad image on Malta. This is pure betrayal for hunters who where promised the continuation of Spring Hunting, especially the PN supporters who voted yes for EU. We are being ruled by foreigners not by our Maltese goverment. My family votes for PN was a thing of the past. Never again.
Chris FInch
May 1st 2010, 14:58
Have you read the comments by Jonny Xerri? You will see who is giving Malta a bad image.
Birdlife and CABS are doing nothing but reporting illegalities. If the illegalities did not happen, they would have nothing to report. The Government wants them to send these reports to the EC in order that it will have its hand forced.
The FKNK and other hunters federations are doing nothing to curb illegalities. They have brought all this on themselves.
Johnny Xerri
May 1st 2010, 17:52
So Mr Finch exposing the deceit that government has made in the election and the referendum is condemable but inflating the hunting issue is ok.
I presented facts. If you are so democratic, if Malta is so democratic the following facts that I have been spreading should not 'hurt' you so much:
'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 (apart from a farce season that is open for only 20% of the hunters, for just 6 half days, during 2010) and trapping stopped from 2008. If the Maltese treat their citizens like this how will they treat you?'
If you believe that CABS and BLM have a right to show the hunting situation in Malta, I believe I have a right to show the democratic process of Malta
k.francica
May 1st 2010, 13:03
I bet that anyone can record 1,300 people driving and using a mobile phone in just one week. But no one seems to mind.
G.Debono
May 1st 2010, 14:30
Says who, that we don't mind, you?
Frans Buhagiar
May 1st 2010, 12:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpIr9Tm5_mQ
What a disgrace! No police accompanying these guys to protect them. I guess hunters find it very difficult to learn NOT to be violent especially when the 'hobby' itself requires one to be so. When is this going to be treated seriously? When someone is found shot dead?
Joseph M. Scicluna
May 1st 2010, 12:55
What CABS are doing should be done by the ALE Police and other Police personnel especially when the sound of shotguns reaches the Police Station itself in the early hours of the morning. Perhaps this will be another job for the Police Mobile Squad who can roam hot areas. If the European Commission awards penalties to Malta it is expected that the price tags of hunting licences be upgraded to make good for any eventuality. It will not be fair to burden those who do not have a licence to kill !!!
John Micallef
May 1st 2010, 12:54
Naqra dan l-artiklu, ma nafx ghaniex nidhaq jew nibki quddiem il- mod kif issiru l-affarijiet f'dan il pajjiz!!
joeaquilina
May 1st 2010, 12:49
Wow 1300+ illegalities in 5% of the maltese islands. Then the report should read 26,000 illegalities. Cabs and birdlife give us all a break and shut up. You just create news when you have nothing better to say. And lastly before you write the word AMBUSH on most of your reports read through a dictionary what this word really means.
Jason Borg
May 1st 2010, 15:47
Never, Mr. Joe!