Kevin Mercieca comes from a family of hunters but on April 11 he will be voting to end spring hunting.

Mr Mercieca, a One TV presenter, was one of the new faces, who yesterday came out supporting the No campaign.

“My father is a hunter as are other members of my family. We respect each other but on spring hunting I disagree because it is the time when birds migrate to breed,” he said yesterday as the anti-spring hunting lobbyists took their campaign to Mosta ridge.

He said it was important people voted No to ensure the countryside remained accessible for all. It was unfair that almost 80 per cent of the countryside in spring was a potential hunting ground to be used by 10,000 hunters denying access to the rest of the population, he said.

While applauding hunters for engaging in conservation work such as the planting of trees, Mr Mercieca argued spring was the time when people ventured out into the countryside.

“I am not speaking of private land but public land that is occupied by hunters to the detriment of the wider population. This is about the common good,” Mr Mercieca said.

TV personality Moira Delia said many people found the countryside inaccessible in spring because of hunters. “We have had reports of families being hit by a shower of lead,” she said.

The No campaign under the banner SHOUT (spring hunting out) also unveiled two ambassadors: blogger Alison Bezzina and actress Jo Caruana.