Hunting: Time of reckoning has arrived
It was always going to be on the cards that the EU Commission, having most reluctantly conceded an “exceptional agreement” to allow spring hunting of turtle doves and quail, would carefully monitor the results to ensure there had been no abuse of what had been agreed.
At the time, the Commission had declared that what had been agreed was the “maximum acceptable position”. We urged acceptance of the deal, while simultaneously highlighting that an intrinsic part of the agreement would be the way in which it was enforced.
We are now at the reckoning stage. Given the fraught history of Maltese spring hunting and, fairly or unfairly, the reputation of Maltese hunters, the Commission has understandably, and rightly, asked Malta to send a report on the outcome of the spring hunting season before the end of this month. Already Commission sources close to the Environment Directorate are reported to have expressed “serious reservations” about the figures published by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on May 3.
Figures released by Mepa indicate that hunters have reportedly only shot 1,842 turtle doves and 366 quail during the “spring hunting season” from April 13 until April 30. These figures appear to reveal considerable discrepancies from those reported in other seasons and even fewer than the restricted quota of 2,500 quail and 9,000 turtle doves allowed under the new indulgence.
During previous hunting seasons, Maltese hunters used to report shooting about 15,000 quail and 32,000 turtle doves in the (then) two-month season, with the largest catches being reported during the last two weeks of April. In the official carnet de chasse for the three years 2005 to 2007 hunters reported catching more than 3,000 quail and 8,000 turtle doves each week during the second half of April. In 2007, the latest comparable figures to this year’s season, hunters reported killing over 9,000 quail and 16,000 turtle doves each week.
On the face of it, even allowing for the fact that according to one ornithologist this has been one of the worst seasons for bird migration, the figures released by Mepa (based on information supplied by the hunters themselves) do seem unusually low and considerably out of kilter with what might have been expected based on the historical data.
There must now be a comprehensive report made not only of the veracity or otherwise of the figures submitted by the hunters, but also of the rules which have been put in place by government to monitor and control shooting in spring. The analysis must weigh a number of factors in the scales. How accurate were the hunters’ reports? Even allowing for Maltese hunters apparently being poor shots, the discrepancy between the number of shots fired by hunters (7,500 according to BirdLife) and the 2,208 birds shot (according to the hunters) does seem suspicious. How workable are the rules for reporting birds shot? Are they open to abuse? How should they be tightened up? Was this an unusually poor migration season? Above all, was police enforcement adequate and how can it be improved? The fact that BirdLife has reported a “dramatic increase” in the killing of protected birds during this spring hunting season must be carefully investigated.
The Commission’s trust in the government’s resolve to abide by the terms agreed with it will depend to a considerable degree on the answer to this last question, as well as a persuasive analysis of the apparent discrepancy in the figures.
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Mr HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
May 11th 2011, 19:16
The figures quoted are completely irrelevant becuase the amount of birds recorded in the Carnet De Chasse in previous Spring Seasons cannot be used to compare with the MEPA figures. We are refering to 50,000 birds caught in 700 hours of hunting by more than 12,500 hunters. This spring season MEPA quoted about 2,300 birds caught in 125 hours of hunting by less than 5,200 hunters. How can you get the same results by half the hunters in much less hunting hours.
A simple equation, the results that would have been expected to be about 4,000 birds and this is the amount that has to be compared with the MEPA figures of 2,300 birds registered. The disrecpancy of 1,700 birds may be attributed to the low migration, the three public holidays which had better migration and the percentage abuse of the SMSs.
This Spring Season had many positives and the few negatives may be fine tuned to give better results next year. It is no longer a matter of legal or not legal Spring Season. That is a matter solved. It is only a matter of more enforcement and credible accounting. The matter of illegal hunting has been tackled and positive results have made CABs declare a vast improvement. The ALE have also recorded better results except for Birdlife that keep using protected birds to abolish hunting. None of the protected birds were proved to be caught during hunting hours, so what's the fuss about?
K Perry
Jun 14th 2011, 13:27
hunters responsible for the figures of what they shoot? please! thats like letting wolves look after sheep and the Japanese protecting whales....what were all the other hunters doing not bothering to follow their favourite 'passion'? when hunters start reporting the people responsible for illegal shooting of protected species then credence may be attached.. and what about the white storks downed the other week? what pray tell me was the need for gunning down something inedible??
When countries and indiviuals in Europe spend a lot of money on preserving and feeding migrating species and their habitat they are not happy when they are illegally killed on their route
Ms Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 11th 2011, 17:38
I just cannot comprehend how one decides to compare figures with a 2-months hunting season (all days included) with a 13 day hunting season (excluding Sundays and Public Holidays). One has to compare like with like to be credible. There is no uniformity as to when turtle-doves and quails decide to migrate. In actual fact, this year these birds decided to migrate in large numbers on Good Friday and on the 2nd and 3rd May when ALL THESE DAYS WERE CLOSE SEASON! In past years, all these days were open season and hence the larger number of birds shot.
"The fact that BirdLife has reported a “dramatic increase” in the killing of protected birds during this spring hunting season" is NO FACT at all. Actually, it was originally being reported that poaching occurred during closed season. On second thoughts, BLM had a change of heart and made their utmost to try and convince us that this occurred during open season. They might have convinced the gullible few BUT definitely not level-headed individuals.
Charlie Borg, you first state that one "can never, ever assess as to how much the discrepancy is" and later try to be judge and jury by concluding that "there is much more than this" and "the facts that speak for themselves"! Is this what your amount of "granu salis" tells you?! I would expect you to substantiate your statement. You have a habit of commenting without giving tangible proof of what you say. Who do you think you are to judge the many Maltese law-abiding hunters? Have you ever put these same questions to self-employed regarding tax declaration? But of course not, your hatred towards the Maltese hunters will only let you make unfounded accusations in their regard!
K Perry
Jun 14th 2011, 17:45
its always the same...deflect the subject away from that being discussed into another direction - 'yes but'.
Please explain why no law abiding Maltese hunters have not been active in reporting illegal shooting and poaching? after all you pay for your 'hobby' and these people are spoling your fun.
Clearly it was irresponsible hunters not responsible ones that shoot the storks out of the sky the other week - but no condemnation from responsible hunters? no comment on the dog star saga from resposible hunters despite a shotgun being used... or didnt this one not have a licence.
One hears pretty much the same things trotted out around the med by hunters about the destruction of their hobby, but everywhere wildlife, including migrating species and Protected ones are falling in numbers.
what is always clear is that any comment about hunting that you dont like must issue from the mouths of 'Haters'.
Well Actually I agree you should be able to hunt sustainable sources. but as it appears you cannot regulate the actions of the hunting fraternity how then will this appear to the greater majority of Maltese who dont hunt? Remember it was the greater majority of people in the UK that imposed their will and got hunting with dogs banned several years ago.
Charlie Borg
May 11th 2011, 13:35
The questions being put by the editorial of this newspaper echoes what many people with an ounce of 'granu salis' are asking: but the problem is that you can never, ever assess as to how much the discrepancy is between what the hunters have internally agreed to submit, and the real situation. How can you verify how many birds have been killed (during this so-called sport-of-sorts) by each hunter, free to roam the countryside with barely anyone to watch and assess? How can you stop a hunter from sms-ing incorrect info? How can you count the number of successful shots that leave a killed bird for the sheer fun of it?
Another thing: there was sooooooooo much protestations coming from the hunting fraternity over hunting derogations - indeed, we never heard enough of it! - and for such a paltry number of killed birds? No ... there is much more than this and that is what any sensible person will conclude when he - and she! - even give the most fleeting of glances at the figures ... and at the facts that speak for themselves.
Mr Joseph Scicluna
May 11th 2011, 14:49
"hunters were free to roam the countryside with barely anyone to watch or assess?"
Actually you don't know what you are talking about sir!
Mr Johnny Xerri
May 12th 2011, 05:30
If seeing more; police, BLM & CABS 'inspectors' & than birds implies in your context as a situation of;
'free to roam the countryside with barely anyone to watch and assess?'
In my context it does not imply so.
By the way, now that it emerged that the VAT department is alledged to be suffering from under reporting by the self-employed (actually we are suffering, not the dept)...will you equally ask for a ban on self employment?