BirdLife welcomes hunters' call on police to act against hunting/trapping hides
One of the hunting hides found at Mizieb made out of concrete with metal doors. Photo: BirdLife
BirdLife has welcomed the hunters' federation call on the Commissioner of Police to act against the unauthorised construction of hunting and trapping hides on public land.
In a statement, BirdLife said it was about time that the FKNK made such a call and BirdLife expected it to assist the authorities in identifying the thousands of illegally constructed hunting and trapping hides throughout the country to ensure their removal.
"The FKNK should start by stating which of their council members have constructed such illegal structures on public land including the ones in Mizieb and is-Simar Bird Sanctuary.
"Referring to FKNK’s claim that BirdLife volunteers displayed an ‘imitation shotgun’, BirdLife stated that this was a broom which was used to clean up the spent cartridges at the site at the end of the peaceful protest."
BirdLife said that while the FKNK described yesterday's activity as a 'farce', the hunting lobby failed to notice that the point was to depict the farcical situation in Malta where hunters and trappers sit on public land and face no enforcement action.
These double standards had to be stopped once and for all, because the Maltese were obliged to seek development permits on their own private land, let alone occupy an area that belongs to the nation.
BirdLife stated that the FKNK’s tactic of holding successive governments to ransom has allowed an unacceptable situation where hunters and trappers in Malta were above the law.
“FKNK must abide by the same rules that any other NGO entrusted with the management of public land is obliged to follow.
"We expect the FKNK to ensure the removal of all 256 hides in Mizieb, including the ones within the adjacent is-Simar Bird Sanctuary,” sBirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge said.
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26 Comments
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M. Cardona
Jun 17th 2010, 13:43
Does BLM have a building permit for its observation hide in Ghadira Nature Reserve??????
Antoine Grima
Jun 17th 2010, 00:02
Has BLM opened a MEPA branch ????
A. Farrugia
Jun 16th 2010, 22:45
Good one Birdlife!
Seems like the broom is mightier than the shotgun ;-)
Let's clean up our countryside and enjoy our common heritage.
I'm not one of your members, but I guess shooters can enjoy their sport by focusing on 'plattini' and bird-lovers can take their kids for a walk in the countryside... without fear of being set upon by armed men that follow the principle of 'might is right'.
And yes, my vote, next time round, could very well be for the party that takes a stand in favour of returning the countryside to peace-loving citizens. I'm not sure of people being allowed to use guns in public places anyway, because like many, I honestly don't want to go for a stroll in the countryside and meet anyone who may be armed and, God forbid, thinks he can throw his weight around because he may believe I am trespassing...
Chris Finch
Jun 16th 2010, 20:00
Hahahaha, Check and Mate!
J.Cutajar
Jun 16th 2010, 19:55
LOL Villa Skappatura ''106'' complete with ground floor reception room & upstairs terraces, wonder who this guy is hiding from.....
Edward Camilleri
Jun 16th 2010, 19:51
It is high time that the police and especialy MEPA take action agaist the illegal trapping/hunting hides and illegal trapping/hunting activities altogether.
alfred curmi
Jun 16th 2010, 17:04
@ Paul Camilleri --
Well said. But don't bother to vote for any of the major parties. They may make pro-environment noises but, when it comes to the crunch, they know on which side their toast is buttered. Dead birds don't vote: neither do live ones for that matter!
Anthony Formosa
Jun 16th 2010, 16:09
Is it BLM or MEPA speaking? Should we also demolish the "Girna" as well, that were built illegaly by farmers and hunters? this is pure provocation from BLM and before they speak about such stractures they should identify where is public and private.
Kenneth Pisani
Jun 16th 2010, 15:05
I agree 100% with Mr.Paul Camilleri! Anti hunting and anti trappers have votes too!!!Politicians please note!
G Camilleri
Jun 16th 2010, 14:48
Let the birds live. Rest In Peace FKNK.
Will give the vote for the one who will remove hunting and all this crap.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Jun 16th 2010, 14:15
@ Paul Camilleri, I have promised my vote to the party that have the curage and stand for our Maltese rights.
hence keeping all the sickness that these BL has at bay
Hope that makes you happy now we are more then even
Tony
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jun 16th 2010, 13:49
Birdlife are indeed proving how dialogue with hunters is indeed possible.
They tried to dialogue with trappers for which they were given 175.000 Euro as an EU grant and failed to even convince one trapper of their sincerity.
Their attitude only adds to the animosity they created through their actions.
If for one moment any Government considers it possible for the hunter and Birdlife to reach a consensus these vile gimmicks definitely make such a possibility one big joke.
Birdlife are digging their own grave and all Malta's hunters thank them for this blatant stupidity as it only convinces the general public of their fanaticism.
Chopping trees, bird cemetries, oil in bird sanctuaries, parading protected birds in Valletta and building hunting hides in Valletta certainly have achieved nothing other then public condemnation for whoever commited such crimes.
One wonders what next in order to rid Malta of its hunters???
Birdlife members have a vast experience of acting as public shields, why not try standing in front of every bird that visits Malta? They have tried practically everything else so far in their never ending comedy.
m farrugia
Jun 16th 2010, 13:42
Birdlife you should be bird watching the thousands of birds nesting here. Or was it a lie and now all you do is hunting/trapping hide watching these deserted islands. Can we use your bird reseve for picnic or BBQ as a family outing, at Mizieb we can.
Andrew Gatt
Jun 16th 2010, 13:21
More bending over backwards by Birdlife to try and salvage some of their rapidly-diminishing credibility! How predictable.
And you expect co-operation from FKNK? Sure. Just as soon as you retract your lies, misinformation and exaggeration. And just as soon as you stop harming Malta's image all over the world. And when you finally stop hunter-hating and start birdwatching.
According to your website, apart from the usual sparrows, warblers etc., all you saw was 1 golden oriole in May 2010 and NO BIRD SIGHTINGS recorded in June 2010 so far. How come? No "millions" after all? Or were you too busy preparing for yesterday's stupidity in Valletta?
James Formsoa
Jun 16th 2010, 13:19
Why does it have to be the FKNK (and BLM) to ask the Police to act against these hides!!!? I think the Gov't/Police in this country should have more balls when it comes to ppl building illegally be it hides or whatever, especially since this Island is so small and land so precious.
Look at the cheek and abuse with the boat houses....e.g. in Gnejna to mention just one- rocks, boulders where removed to creat a large concrete platform on the right hand side of the bay. What started off as 1 illegal room in the 70s is now a summer house with a seafront terrace. 40 years passed and things get worse NOT better. Its shameful..the PN is a joke.
Adrian Wirth
Jun 16th 2010, 13:15
For Birdlife to compliment FKNK is quite an achievement which one trusts shall be reciprocated and further similar positive and constructive initiatives mutually agreed.
One is reminded of parts of the UK some forty or more years ago when very similar conflicts of interest pervaded the rural environment. Yet today, with very few exceptions, an amicable co-operation exists between the agricultural and environmental communities.
Perhaps one area worth investigation locally for mutual co-operation might be a project, possibly qualifying for EU funding, for both organisations to work together in a single project unit to ring and release migratory birds. Such a scheme would bring together in a common objective both organisations in a long term sustainable project beneficial to both the island and European Avian interests.
The intrinsically financial objective sought by traditional trapping practioners from their 'hobby' will be compensated through the project funding bid by payment of realistic allowances to traditional group participants enabling a team co-operative structure to hopefully be achieved between these historically opposed environmental protagonists.
John Smith
Jun 16th 2010, 13:09
No less than 15 hunters hides has been constructed from the Wied Ghomor valley soil retaining rubble stores....and lately also from grey bricks.... a walk along triq tal-franciz displays them all, else walk down the walkway beneath the Halland Hotel......are these to be cleared off /sanctioned....???
JBrownie
Jun 16th 2010, 13:07
Ha Ha Ha - nahseb gibtu l-gebla fuq saqjkom FKNK
L Sapiano
Jun 16th 2010, 13:03
Great move BLM. Personally, I think that this organisation works very professionally and is an NGO which should be admired for its work and how it goes about to create awareness against illegal hunting. Keep up the good work!
Paul Camilleri
Jun 16th 2010, 13:00
I promise my vote to that party that takes effective action to rid Malta of this pest called 'trapping', 'illegal land occupation', 'raping of our countryside with the building of shabby hideouts', 'keeping of birds in gabjetti', 'tieing bird's legs to strings to use as decoys or to attract other birds'etc...etc....etc...
R Micallef
Jun 16th 2010, 14:55
Agreed 100%
So do I
Anthony Formosa
Jun 16th 2010, 16:11
I have 4 votes against yours, so stop playing, you had plenty opportunities to vote for AD, which never exceeded 4000 votes in every election. Just remember we make up of at least 40,000 votes.
I Cassar
Jun 16th 2010, 12:57
It is hoped that now that they have the blessing of FKNK the Commissioner of Police and MEPA will take some enforcement action on these ILLIGAL hunting and trapping hides. They would still have to explain why it took them so long to get moving on such obvious law infringement that is their duty to prevent!!
mark.sultana
Jun 16th 2010, 12:52
FKNK....you've been trapped (now is that a pun?)
G. Grech
Jun 16th 2010, 12:32
well done Birdlife !
If illegal hides are removed, then it will also be easier to control illegal hunting. So Birdlife is actually hitting two birds with one stone ! :)
Mark Camilleri
Jun 16th 2010, 12:51
...pun intended I suppose! ;-)...otherwise, it would make the hunters go green...with envy!