The hunters’ federation, FKNK, believes the police are doing a good job in ensuring the condition of “strictly supervised” hunting in spring is being met.

FKNK secretary general Lino Farrugia said they would be recording police presence by means of forms which members were instructed to fill.

Yet, Birdlife is raising questions about monitoring in Gozo. “There is no Administrative Law Enforcement unit in Gozo and, apart from Gozitan hunters, others from Malta will be going there as well,” said Nicholas Barbara, Birdlife conservation manager.

Police sources insist that Gozo is “definitely being monitored”. According to the Birds Directive, a minimum of seven enforcement officers should be provided for every 1,000 hunters during hunting hours, which means that, at any one time, there would need to be 66 law enforcers monitoring the scene.

Mr Barbara attributed the almost 4,000 increase in hunting licences this year to the waiving of the licence fee.

“The 9,500 licences mean that almost all the hunting community will be out this spring.”

He questioned whether ALE had the necessary human resources. Birdlife will be starting their spring watch tomorrow with the aim of reporting any illegal activity.

FKNK thinks there is no need because the police are doing “a fine job”.

“The situation further verifies that the police force requires no assistance from uninvited foreigners, well known for their anti-hunting sentiment and abolitionists’ dreams,” it said.