FKNK reports illegal shooting incidents to police
Vows to eradicate shooting of protected species
The Hunters Federation (FKNK) has vowed to continue striving to eliminate once and for all criminals who shot at protected birds from the Maltese countryside. It said in a statement that it had reported confirmed reports of illegal shooting to the police
The association said such shooting was 'absolutely unacceptable' and it was working to eradicate it with the assistance of the police and the backing of its thousands of genuine members.
"The FKNK reiterates and unreservedly warns that it will not allow any criminal who persists in shooting on protected bird species to mar, in any manner, the efforts of genuine hunters.
"The FKNK also repeats its warning that anyone who is arraigned on cases of illegal shooting on protected species and who happens to be within its members' ranks, that such person will have his/her membership suspended with immediate effect and if found guilty by the competent court will have such membership cancelled.
"Anyone who is not in possession of a membership with a hunting and trapping organisation cannot obtain a hunting and trapping licence, and consequently the FKNK hopes that if it cancels the membership of any person found guilty of illegal shooting of protected species, no other hunting organisation will accept such person in its fold as was the case in previous instances," it said.
The organisation appealed to the government to help find an adequate solution for cases to be addressed so that they would not continue to harm genuine hunters.
Such cases also harmed Malta as some disseminated them across the globe as though the situation reflected Maltese hunting and trapping practices.
The FKNK said that between after 3 p.m. yesterday and today, it had received reports of illegal shooting of protected species, and in the cases that could be confirmed it filed immediate official reports with the police.
By 9.30 p.m. yesterday, a report was filed that someone was trying to shoot, even with the aid of artificial lighting, at marsh harriers that had landed in the vicinity of Burmarrad.
Another report was filed this morning at about 10 a.m. that someone had shot at a grey heron in the area of tal-Fagħta in Kalkara.
"Yesterday's and today's incidents are another clear confirmation that the legal practice of hunting, consequently the presence of genuine hunters in the Maltese countryside, is the best prevention to illegal shooting of protected species.
"The same serious hunters and trappers, in their absolute majority, will not allow anyone to take away from them, that, from which they had unjustly been deprived, now that they have tasted it again in a manner on which they can build for the future," the FKNK said.
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Ms Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 23rd 2011, 18:58
Well done, FKNK!
Steve Zammit, contrary to what you state, if somebody goes hunting when the season is closed, even if this individual shoots on a turtle-dove or quail, this individual is nonetheless a poacher. Furthermore, you try to portray that hunting illegalities are frequent. I assure you that the majority of the Maltese hunters are law-abiding, contrary to what you try to portray. I suggest you ask Mr Paul Debono from BLM to confirm to you that yesterday, not a single shot was heard by him and his companion whilst these two gentlemen were present at Imtahleb. This is the true picture! I am not saying that there are no illegalities BUT these are only minimal and I condemn them!
Mr Peter Agius
Apr 23rd 2011, 22:54
Tell it to the marines.
Mr James Galea
Apr 23rd 2011, 08:13
Yes - a great initiative indeed. Of course, it's only great because they did something they should have been doing for years now. So, because the great FKNK, at long, long last, did one little thing right we are expected to laud them with cavalcades in the street ? Pull the other one, guys. That bunch will have to do a lot, lot more than that if ever they're to acquire even a shred of credibility.
Edwin John Matthews
Apr 22nd 2011, 21:34
A great initiative shown by FKNK and bone fide hunters.
Will BLM, CABS and others now report illegal trespassers that are in their fold??????????
Mr HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Apr 22nd 2011, 18:59
@ J Borg and Steve Zammit.
Why is every time that some positive action there is bound to be someone to belittle it and oppose?
Steve Borg you seem to be very up to date with names of birds. Be positive, come forward and give your proof to the authoritiies. The fact that these poachers shot at doves and protected birds does not qualify them for hunters. Hunters are this who shoot only game birds. Your main interest is to abolish hunting exactly the way that birdlife have been moaning for years.
J. Borg we are not after hunting 365 days a year but the facts are that illegal actvity is rampant when the hunters are not around. The government has pocketed more than a quater of a million euros to provide enforcement. To day is a public holiday and conseqently I was at home like the majority of the hunters .It is entirely to the authorities to perform their duty.
The Government has initiated a mechanisim for future Spring Hunting. This has to be further fine tuned to limit abuse. The registering of takings, the bag limits and public holidays needs looked into. I have my personal opinion but they will be channled through the ORNIS in the next meeting.
I urge all hunters to give their contribution to minimise abuse and at the sane time ask all the antis to accept what has been granted to MALTA.
SPRING HUNTING IS THERE TO STAY
Steve Zammit
Apr 22nd 2011, 21:40
Mr. Henry Fenech Azzopardi
I didn't oppose any positive action. Re-read my comment. Infact my first sentence applauded FKNK for their PR condeming any illegalities that occured.
I did not put everyone in the same basket. I only gave an account of what I saw this morning giving detail . Well done to you if you reported your incident. I encourage all law abiding-hunters to do the same.Honestly If I could have, Mr. Fenech Azzopardi, I would have phoned the police right away on scene but I couldn't have done that due to the uncomfortable situation I was in. I had to put my own safety first before anything else unfortunately. I am being honest and I hope you understand this. Writing here is the only effective thing I could have done and make my voice heard. I was not stating bla bla bla or put all hunters in the same basket. Infact I finished off my comment stating '' I have respect for law abiding hunters ''. It is only of my concern that if a spring season opens and rules are set, they are obeyed and not broken . It is baffling that some aren't even capable of respecting closed days and still target protected species.
I do not want to put everyone in the same basket, but this morning there were at least 10 hunters whom where out hunting in my small area alone! Doesn't that speak volume of what a ridiculous situation this is? There was one hunter whom was running around with his gun and was visible from the main road! Again I repeat where are the police?Where are the A.L.E? Where are the Marshalls? Where are the genuine hunters that are supposed to be a deterrant to illegalities? ''A quater of million euros '' were suppose to be spent on enforcement and this is what we get?
I am aware that hunters only shoot at game only. The majority of persons whom broke the law today and went out shooting shot at doves only, so yes they were hunters. If they applied, come tomorrow and they would be out again, only that tomorrow it will be legal. Is it that difficult to understand?
Today was a good day for migration and I enjoyed some migrants. But as usual, my morning had to be spoilt by irresponsible hunters who persist in showing no respect and break the law without any hesitation or fear.
If Spring hunting is here to stay, make it appoint that all laws are respected. If you want us to take you seriously then be serious yourselfs. I fear that everything is out of control. For such events to occur, it seems that the strict enforcement claim is nothing but a sick joke and a big farce. In the end no matter how much I write here, its the birds that always loose.
Regards
Mr HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Apr 22nd 2011, 18:39
@ J. Borg and Steve Zammit.
To all the antis I declare that I was at home being a public holiday as stipulated by the license agreement for which I paid Euros 50. The big problem is that we have a witness who gave a detailed sequence of events including precise correct names of birds being shot and is not interested to come forward with proof for a good cause. I have been going out since day one and still did not manage to flash one turtle dove/quail. I have spotted a protected bird being shot and reported it to the authorities but you Mr Zammit seem to be only interested to put everyone in one basket and declare at nausem to abolish hunting. Do something and give your contribution mhux bla bla bla biss like Mr borg whose sarcassm remarks create only hatred. No, we are not after out hunting 365 days a year but the facts are that illegal activity is more evident when we are not around.
The government has pocketed more than a quater of million euros and we expect that more enforcement should bear fruitful results. The fact that the offenders shot doves together with protected birds does not qualify them as hunters.
Hunetrs are those who shoot game birds only and you should know that Mr Zammit because you seem to be very up to date with the type of birds.
Yes FKNK and all law abiding hunters, keep up the good work with or without enforcement we still keep giving our contribution to curb illegal hunting.
We worked hard to achieve what has been granted to us and we shall not allow a few antis spoil it. We expect that next Spring Season will be fine tuned to leave little space for abuse, and all concerned should get together and discuss way forward. I do have my personal opinion but these will be put forward in the next ORNIS meeting. We have extablished a mechanisim now we have to improve it.
Mr Charles Gauci
Apr 22nd 2011, 20:03
Mr. Fenech Azzopardi, I suppose that being a mature person you are well aware that it is not a few antis who are trying to spoil what you call your sport, but the still (unfortunately) large numbers of irresponsible hunter within your ranks. It is you and your federation's onus to control them. I am afraid that if you continue to deny this your much cherised spring hunting season will be on the way out again (sooner rather than later).
Mr Lawrence Camilleri
Apr 23rd 2011, 08:14
Mr Fenech Azzopardi, you reported the shooting of protected bird to the police. Hunters normally congregate at the same place each time and know each other very well. Why did you report the incident and not the hunter who broke the law?
Steve Zammit
Apr 22nd 2011, 17:38
Well done...maybe FKNK are finally seeing the light
It was a big SHAME this morning, hunting was not permitted today as it was a public holiday yet near my house hunters were shooting at will and out as usual. I decided to go for a walk and it was disgusting to hear over 60+ shots coming from at least 10 hunters in the area in less then 2 hours. Dear FKNK, yes these were hunters not poachers because they targeted migrating Turtle Doves, but they are all lawbreakers too, because hunting was not allowed today. Besides that, a few idiots had the cheek to shoot at Marsh Harriers flying low over, 1 Common Kestrel had missing primaries and as it passed low over the ridge I heard a shot fired from exactly its position and I didn't see it after (wonder why) ....also a few times I heard shots, I looked from where the shots were being fired only to see Golden Orioles passing low over....Unbelievable...what cheek!! And you guys want us to trust you!
No Police, No ALE and No marshalls anywhere! So much for enforcement. Where are these ''genuine hunters'' that you mention in the above article?, it seems they either remained in bed or didn't bother to report all that was going on!
Again, hunters shot themselves in the foot. They aren't even capable of obeying basic laws. And then they are shocked or disturbed about the general image that the general public holds. And oh yes they must have all sent an SMS too for every Gamiema they shot this morning! As time passes, it only shows what a farce the whole season is!
@Mario Farrugia, I have respect for law abiding hunters like you but everytime I visit our countryside and witness such incidents , makes me think and believe otherwise of your hunting friends!
Mr A. Mizzi
Apr 22nd 2011, 16:54
Min dahaq b'min?
U min qieghed jithaq b'min?
U min irrid jingabar?
Glenn Micallef
Apr 22nd 2011, 16:51
Well done to the FKNK. Great initiative. This is the only way forward to curb illegal hunting. The honest hunter should be proud of such a move. I would like to see more co-operation between BLM and FKNK so that these criminals are apprehending. FKNK, and its members, should stop to try and discredit any report issued by Birdlife. They should simply condemn it and alert their members in the said area to be on the lookout for the culprits. For example, we have another incedent of the most distasteful (and cruel and senseless and with no element of 'sport') form of poaching: shoot sleeping birds at night with artificial light. So, when Birdlife issued footage of such an incedent, all hunters doubted such an occurance and many said it was outright impossible. Today the FKNK reported a similar incident. If they would have worked togather on the first report, the poacher might have already been apprehended to the benefit of one and all. On the FKNK website a member also reported a poacher for shooting at a honey buzzard. So well done to the said hunter as well. Maybe now is the time to eradicate the poachers.
Mr Aristide Galea
Apr 22nd 2011, 16:41
Everyone knew that there was illegal hunting taken place by some criminals and not by genuine hunters who abide by the law, but for some reason Birdlife Malta always classified all hunters as law breaking criminals.
The motive for this is easy to know why. Because Birdlife Malta wanted a total ban on the hunting practice all the year round and not to control the illegalities.
Mr Charles Gauci
Apr 22nd 2011, 19:49
It would be interesting if you kindly were to quote instances where BLM wanted a total ban of hunting all year round. Eagerly awaiting your reply.
Mr David Briffa
Apr 22nd 2011, 16:19
@mr j borg
wy poeple like you hate every thing fknk try to do?This is something positeve so WY.FKNK always sad that its not the hunters who do shame to malta but pouchers and poeple like you do
Mr J. Borg
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:46
Finally FKNK has starting to do what it has 'avoided' doing for decades.
Late better than never.
Just three concerns to point out.
1. The news item refers to the term 'someone' - hope that with the army of hunters 'ruling' the countryside, these 'someone' will be identified.
2. FKNK has been instigated to 'report these someone' - simply because it fears that these criminal elements (which it cannot deny following footage collated by BLM & CABs) continue to tarnish and risk attracting a hunting ban. the FACT that they KILL protected birds does not seem to be an issue for FKNK (it never was) - so much for the Konservazionisti name tag. By FKNK's flawed reasoning, hunters should be allowed the roam around the countryside with their shotguns all year round, with the excuse that they are 'protecting' supposedly protected birds - whilst killing others as a perk.
3. BLM's claim that some criminal hunters were hunting at night was (as usual) ridiculed by the usual hunters apologists - as was also the report about hunting abuses in the same area a week ago. Maybe FKNK can clarify how long the police took to arrive at Burmarrad, if they ever made it at all.
Mr HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Apr 22nd 2011, 21:04
1. FKNK and for all that matter myself, can only give an indication of who could be responsible to flaw the law because we more or less know who would be in a hide out, but unless we actually see the culprit aim at the protected bird, we have to refer to the individual as someone. I can assure you that we shall give out name and prepared to witness when that someone is identified.
2. From experience we know that birdlife/cabs have fabricated events that never happened such as the 200 birds found in Miziep, which was never proved ( every piece of a bird was counted as one bird and multiplied). FKNK came out very clear but birdlife/cabs seem to want to work on their own. even without police escort. This gives one to doubt the authentiic case as prublished by them. FKNK and Birdlife should co operate and not obstruct each other. Birdlife have to accept the ECJ ruling and stop moaning that Spring Hunting is illegal.They have been making mockery of prominent people wearing T shirts. I urge them to face reality and join in the preservation of protected birds by contributing towards the curbing of illegal hunting but not the total abolishing of hunting.
3.FKNK with the help of their members will intensify their efforts to bring to justice any offenders but will also oppose any form of excuses by persons like you to make use of protected birds to aboish hunting.
Mr J. Borg
Apr 23rd 2011, 12:57
Mr, Fenech Azzopardi
1. So FKNK reported the abuse but failed to identify the criminal involved. Obviously nobody is going to come out and say that this is a fabrication because there is no proof - but one hopes that now you understand why BLM/CABs are compelled to film what is going on.
2. Let's see what experience has proved.
You are accusing BLM/CABs of having scattered remain of protected birds at Mizieb....a bold statement indeed unless proven. However I encourage you to look deeper - from where did these carcasses arrive? Did BLM shoot them? You say there were in their freezer - again who shot them in the first place?
FKNK had for years on end denied that there were criminal hunters in its midst, it even doubted who was behind the arson attacks on our National Heritage, Nature Reserves, Natural 2000 site, and even who shot at the BLM ranger....
The ECJ ruling confirmed that the Spring hunting in the years objected to was (let us just say) IRREGULAR - and it would be better if we now focus on the effectiveness or otherwise of the conditions under which it has been (till now) excused this year. Relying on hunters' own declarations is far from ideal!
You call for BLM not to obstruct FKNK - guess you are turning tables upside down here. Need one mention the 'assistance' FKNK offered whenever BLM/CABs are out literally at the mercy and abuse of hunters - to deter the criminal acts FKNK for years did nothing about?
3. You have every right to oppose anything - and vice versa. It is the way we go about doing it that matters!
Read through the respective proclamations by BLM and FKNK over the years and notice the different tone (to say the least).
Pls admit that the objective of BLM is to ensure that protected birds are not killed - and when calls to abolish Spring hunting are made - it is presicely due the ineffectiveness of controls and the lawlessness of some of your peers.
4. Lastly, I correct you one one point - I do not call for hunting to be abolished - in fact, I make no distinction between a turtle dove and a hen.
I however expect that hunting be restricted within specifically demarcated hunting zones, wherein hunting activities can be effectively monitored, quantified and controlled. Having practically all the countryside sacrificed to hunting is as illogical and egoistic as one can go!
Mr Charles Gauci
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:44
So much for the lies perpetrated by BirdLife!
Ramon Casha
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:44
Well done. I hope other hunting organisations follow suit.
Mr Charles Gauci
Apr 22nd 2011, 16:15
X'sa jghidu issa dawk li dejjem jghidu li l-BirdLife dejjem tigdeb?
Stefan Micallef
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:38
X ha jejdu issa dawk li dejjem jajdu li l FKNK qatt ma taghmel xejn biex taqta l kacca illegali?
Mr Mario Farrugia
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:31
Well done FKNK
Mario Farrugia
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:26
These criminals, as the FKNK rightly described them, are NOT hunters... They are simply trigger-happy, selfish and ignorant individuals who repeatedly fail to see the immense harm which they are causing to the large fraternity of bona-fide hunters in Malta and Gozo. Holding an official hunting licence does not necessarily make one a hunter. Just like holding a valid driving licence does not make one a good driver. There are those who, out of an inexplicable, warped instinct, remain hell-bent on breaking the rules, with total disrespect towards other law-abiding citizens.
I am a hunter, and a proud one at that. I respect the rules, and I hunt only legally-permitted species. I am extremely happy to note that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, thousands of bona-fide hunters are, indeed, respecting the law. The enormous combined efforts of the FKNK, government and the police force are finally reaping fruit.
Sadly, some criminally-minded individuals have still not realised that laws are there to be respected. The earlier these individuals are eradicated from our countryside, the better for all concerned.
I congratulate the FKNK for the hard work and the genuine efforts in conserving that which is righfully ours. There is absolutely no space at all for criminals, be it within the hunting sphere or any other area within a civilized society.
Charlie Borg
Apr 22nd 2011, 15:20
You know what this means? That BirdLife has been and is right all along. Otherwise, shall we believe that FKNK is right and that BirdLife is wrong in its reports? Hardly.
D. Farrugia
Apr 22nd 2011, 14:57
Well done FKNK. Shame on the other much smaller hunting groups if they accept expelled members within their ranks. A much bigger shame on authorities who continue to allow such loophole.
Mr Victor Bonnici
Apr 22nd 2011, 16:01
The authorities are not causing the problem. This is a moral problem within the hunting community and as such it can only be solved within these limits.
D. Farrugia
Apr 22nd 2011, 17:10
Mr. Bonnici, I was referring to the problem that, as things stand, a hunter that is expelled from one hunting group can seek membership with another hunting group without cross-checks being made. This is a loophole that the authorities seem reluctant to resolve.It is not a moral issue.
Mr Johnny Xerri
Apr 22nd 2011, 17:14
It is a shame on the authorities since they should automatically temporarily ban the hunting licence for repeat offenders...for a number of years...and if upon renewal (say 5 years from the conviction) they repeat an offence then ban for life and confiscate all firearms for these repeat offenders...but then again...these ofenders do come in handy don't they?