Having now been to Malta during bird migration three times in the past year I would like to make a personal definitive statement on illegal hunting. In principle it is all a matter of perspective.
First, the legal and law enforcement aspect: There can be no defence of the killing or trapping of protected birds. It is illegal under Maltese national law and European Union legislation. That said, as with any other form of criminal activity, such unlawful acts must be pursued with the full vigour of the law, and the criminals isolated and rejected by society.
That means they must be resolutely disowned by their association or club, town or village and, if need be, their family. It is well known that if crime is seen to be tolerated or inadequately pursued it will flourish.
This is certainly the case with illegal hunting where the culprits flaunt the law in the face of the police and public. Zero tolerance is called for and must be applied if this problem is to be stamped out. This is a major task for the police and all members of the public. Local or international conservationists can only help to highlight the problem and prevent, hopefully, the worst excesses. Only the Maltese themselves can solve this long-standing problem.
Second, the related extent of criminality: I will not attempt to state figures here as hostages to fortune for hunting spokesmen, who then use them as a smokescreen to draw attention away from the real problem.
Through personal observation, information from other conservationists and nature lovers, unsolicited statements from unbiased members of the public and even from some hunters, it is an established fact that illegal hunting and trapping of protected birds is not confined to an insignificant minority.
The distribution of unlawful incidents alone demonstrates that it is geographically - and therefore numerically - widespread. Added to that, the sheer weight of fire recorded at arriving or departing migrant birds - at for example Girgenti, Dingli Cliffs, Miżieb, Luqa airport, etc, etc - gives a lie to those hoping to play down the problem for their private agenda.
Of increasing and grave concern is the large number of young hunters involved. Unlike Italy and other Mediterranean countries, where illegal hunting and trapping is declining with generation change, many young men have been observed, and some convicted of, illegal acts.
This is to a great extent due to the tolerance of these "peccadilloes" by society over the years and the ineffectiveness of law enforcement. A sad prospect indeed.
Finally, the debate and taking of sides. Here the tail - and I refer specifically to well-known and outspoken leading members of the hunting associations in Malta - is wagging the dog.
There is only one side in this matter - the law and its enforcement. All who attack this position, its protagonists and enforcers, and attempt to discredit them, are nolen volens tolerating or associating themselves with criminal activity.
Shooting or trapping of protected bird species - whether one or a thousand - is illegal full stop. There can be no debate on this. The hunting associations know exactly what they have to do to deserve a place in this debate. As any other law-abiding member of the public they have the duty to name and shame, and positively assist in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The time for lofty and empty statements is over.
I proudly wore a CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) Bird Guard T-shirt throughout my time on Malta, on and off duty, in the countryside and in the towns and cities.
I was more than heartened by the effect this had. In the course of my two-week stay I spoke to or was approached by hundreds (yes hundreds!) of Maltese people and tourists who congratulated me (us) on our efforts and who hoped we would come again until the problem is solved. The deterrence effect or magnet for abuse, for and by (illegal) hunters, has been discussed elsewhere. I will be back. But, as discussed above, only in a supporting and subordinate role to the Maltese people. And for as long as they want me.