Mepa issues hunting Q&A

Mepa this morning gave additional details with regard to the limited spring hunting season announced by the government yesterday.

This season will be open between April 12 and 30 (both dates included), with a national bag of 11,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quail. 

All relevant information and documentation can be downloaded from the Authority’s website www.mepa.org.mt/springhunting-2012.

Mepa published the following Q&A:

How many Special Licences for Hunting in Spring 2012 will be issued?

The Director of the Environment Directorate (MEPA) will issue a Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 to anyone who is eligible. This special licence would not be transferable. Eligible applicants are those applicants who hold a valid Carnet de Chasse (hunting licence for birds) in their possession.

Where can one apply?

Interested applicants may apply at any MaltaPost branch. One can apply for a Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 between April 4^th and April 5^th at any MaltaPost branch, during opening hours. Upon application, each applicant must pay Euro 50 and present his/her Identity Card together with his/her Carnet de Chasse 2012-2013.

What is the charge when applying for the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012?

The Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 costs €50 payable on application.

Where can one apply?

One can apply for a Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 between Wednesday 4^th April and Thursday 5^th April during the opening hours of MaltaPost branches. Upon application, each applicant must pay the fee of Euro 50 for the application.

Which species may be hunted?

Quails and Turtle Doves are the only two species which may be hunted in Spring 2012.

At what time and on which days can hunting in Spring 2012 be practised?

Hunting in Spring 2012 is permitted from Monday to Friday from two hours before sunrise until 3pm and on Saturdays from 2 hours before sunrise and 12pm (noon). No hunting is permitted on Sundays and Public Holidays.

What is the hunting quota for Spring 2012 (national hunting bag)?

The game quota (national hunting bag) can be of a maximum of 5,000 quail and 11,000 turtledoves. In order for this national quota to be respected an individual quota is set, and a licensed individual can capture a maximum of 2 birds in one day and a maximum of four birds per licence issued. The hunting season shall close as soon as the national limit of birds is shot. If the national quota of any one species (quail – 5000, turtle doves – 11000) is reached before the overall bag limit is reached, then the season for that species is immediately closed.

How is the SMS service going to be used?

Any hunter given the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 is obliged to send a text message (SMS) to the number indicated by MEPA as soon as a bird is killed with a shot. Each hunter holding a Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 shall also be informed immediately – by means of a text message (SMS) on the number indicated by that person in the application for a Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 – when the season is closed completely if the national limit is reached. Each licensed hunter will also be informed immediately by SMS with the closure of part of the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 in the case that the limit is reached for one species.

 
How is the enforcement of the conditions of the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 going to be ensured?

The Government is committed to continue to work on supervision and enforcement to ensure that the quotas are not exceeded. For each 1,000 hunters in possession of the Special Licence for 2012, seven  police officers or hunting marshals shall be on duty during the hours that Spring hunting is permitted. Outside these hours, at least two Police officers or hunting marshals shall also be on duty during the hours of daylight.

All hunters in possession of a Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 are expected to wear an identification armband at all times whilst hunting, as well as to carry the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012. The armbands shall have a specific colour and include an identification number, and shall facilitate the identification of those in possession of a Special Licence.

The Police, assisted by hunting marshals as may be necessary, shall continue to carry out on-site verifications until at least four weeks following the start of the spring hunting season, in order to prevent illegal hunting. Following the closure of the spring hunting season, for every one thousand Spring Hunting Licence issued at least three police officers and/or hunting marshals shall be on duty during the hours of daylight.

The hunters are required to fill in the Carnet de Chasse accordingly before leaving the hunting zone.

The Police, as assisted by hunting marshals as may be necessary, shall continue to carry out regular spot checks so as to monitor all the conditions related to the Spring hunting season.

Any violations of the regulations will not be tolerated. Anybody caught breaching the rules and conditions of the grant of the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 loses the Special Licence for Hunting in Spring 2012 and the general hunting licence, and will also be subject to other penalties under the law, according to the severity of the case.