Rights and responsibilities walk hand in hand. This consideration should also be made when addressing environmental protection including the conservation of species such as birds.
Many argue that hunting is a right. To defend this so-called right one cannot, however, ignore the responsibilities involved. Walking around and shooting at anything that flies is definitely irresponsible, unjustified and unsustainable.
The responsibilities hunters shoulder include the conservation of the species being harvested. Killing uncontrolled numbers of a particular bird can drive the species into extinction.
Other considerations related to sustainable hunting include classification of species, conservation status and season.
The issue of spring hunting in Malta is another case of unsustainable practices, mainly for the reasons mentioned above.
Although both species hunted (turtle dove and quail) are classified as game birds, their numbers are dwindling and, therefore, they deserve protection. Sadly enough, consecutive governments preached sustainability while applying for derogations, permitting spring hunting!
To add insult to injury, practically none of the conditions laid down by same derogations were respected by the majority of the local hunting community. This included, among others, the illegal killing of protected birds.
It is clear that while, on the one hand, the hunters’ right to practise their so-called hobby was defended by successive administrations, no consideration whatsoever had been given to the responsibilities this right carries.
Alternattiva Demokratika always stuck out its neck in favour of biodiversity and people’s rights to enjoy nature. A typical example is the campaign towards the holding of a referendum calling for an end to spring hunting. Twelve environmental organisations joined AD to form Coalition Against Spring Hunting. About 34, 500 signatures are needed in order for such a referendum to be held and over 10,000 signatures were collected in just over eight weeks.
All those interested in signing the petition or helping out in the collection of signatures are asked to contact the coalition by writing to cashmalta2013@gmail.com.