Hunters’ organisations call for harsher action over relapses

Those convicted of repeatedly violating hunting laws should receive the harshest penalty contemplated by law for the gravity of their crime, according to two hunters’ organisations.

“Relapsers should not be shown any leniency, because this will only lead to the repetition of the offence, hence our appeal to the learned judiciary,” the hunters’ federation, FKNK, and St Hubert Hunters – Malta said.

“Malta’s law-abiding hunters expect no more and no less from the judicial system if we are to witness a further drop in bird-crime,” they said in a joint statement.

The two organisations said the penalties for hunting-related illegalities in Malta were the harshest in Europe. They included fines exceeding €14,000, revocation of the hunting licence for life, and up to two years’ imprisonment. These penalties should be enough to deter abuse, yet the odd incident such as the recent shooting of spoonbills, still occurred.

The statement said the illegal shooting of rare protected birds, which during times of extreme weather conditions occasionally turn up on Malta’s shores, had to be given more serious consideration.

“All too often such events are greeted by an immediate chorus of condemnation, and just as quickly forgotten,” they said.

Nearly two weeks ago BirdLife Malta reported that hunters had illegally targeted rare, protected spoonbills when a record three flocks of around 70 birds sought shelter in the southeast from gale force winds.

The two hunters’ organisations said, ideally, the media featuring these crimes so prominently should give the same prominence to the results of police action in combating this abuse. Once the courts found the perpetrators guilty, naming them and shaming them should be de rigueur if these people were to be taught a lesson.

“How can one explain that persons convicted of bird crime for a third, and even a fourth time are still allowed to carry a shotgun for hunting purposes?” they asked.

“Should not the hard work put in by the police force, in particular that of the Administrative Law Enforcement section, be more appreciated? Should not the sentences delivered by our courts bolster the activities of the police and lighten their workload by serving as a deterrent to would-be law-breakers? Is there a genuine desire for the elimination of such crimes?”

The organisation said once convicted the perpetrators should not be let off with light penalties.