A few days ago, I enjoyed an excellent morning fishing with friends. I then posted a few photos of the dead and bloody fish on a main social media network. I got over 50 likes in the space of half an hour. More than half of the friends who liked my photographs are actually ‘No’ campaign supporters.

I was very curious as to whether I would have had the same response from them had I posted photos of such a substantial catch of turtle doves or quail despite being virtually impossible due to Malta no longer lying in the main migratory route of such species.

The answer would be obvious. So why pity a feathered creature that has been shot instantly, making its end practically painless, while it is fine for a fish to have swallowed a rusty hook before being dragged through 300 metres of water battling for its life after which it is left to die suffocating in a bucket or at the bottom of a boat? I see nobody writing any letters, articles or opinions about fishing yet.

I conclude that many ‘No’ voters are actually basing this simply on their emotions rather than what spring hunting is all about.

Or is it a question of accessibility? It is easy enough to buy a wild fish for the table, however never a wild turtle dove or quail. In countries such as the UK, every supermarket sells shot wild pheasant or partridge and perhaps this is why hunting in the UK is widely recognised and accepted – the end product is accessible to all.

I urge voters not to be influenced by these factors but, instead, to understand that turtle dove and quail hunting has been practised for generations and has now become part of some people’s lives.

Do not allow people to play with your emotions to destroy our traditions.

Of course, I am totally against any form of illegal hunting or poaching.