The Parliamentary Secretariat for Animal Rights this evening announced a reform of regulations on live-capturing (trapping) of birds. They will come into force tomorrow.
The new provisions include legal definitions of live-capturing activity and live-capturing sites. They impose restrictions on the number and configuration of live-capturing stations, the type of equipment that may be used, and methods of live-capturing.
Moreover, the legislation extends legal protection, previously afforded to garigue habitats within Natura 2000 sites, to all protected habitats listed in Schedule I of the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations within Natura 2000 sites, as well as to areas outside Natura 2000 sites that support natural habitats, including Areas of Ecological Importance and Sites of Scientific Importance. Cumulatively, protected areas where trapping is either prohibited or restricted to registered agricultural land, amount to around a quarter of the national land territory.
The legislation also forbids creation of new live-capturing sites. A rigorous site screening exercise is presently being implemented by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit to ensure that only those sites that conform to the above parameters can be registered, the secretariat said. Live-capturing activity on any non-registered sites will not be allowed and regulations will be stringently enforced.
Autumn live-capturing season
It said that following the recommendations of the Malta Ornis Committee, as well as scientific, technical and legal advice, the Parliamentary Secretariat shall be applying two derogations to permit the capture and keeping of seven finch species (Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Hawfinch, Chaffinch and Serin), as well as Golden Plover and Song Thrush this autumn.
Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said that the live-capturing season would not be a repeat of pre-2009 live-capturing practice, but a very limited and strictly supervised season that will be subject to multiple controls and rigorous enforcement.
The relevant legislation which describes in detail the parameters and controls pertaining to both derogations shall be published in the Government Gazette tomorrow and available at http://msdec.gov.mt/en/Pages/WBRU/Legislation--Policy.aspx.
The live-capturing season for these species shall be open between October 20and 31, both dates included. Only those persons who are in possession of a general live-capturing license (Carnet de Chasse) and special licences pertaining to each derogation would be allowed to practice
Parameters of the seasons are explained in the table below:
|
Species |
Season dates |
Individual bag limits per license per season |
Catch reporting requirements |
Permitted number and type of live-decoys |
Ringing requirement for captured birds |
Live-capturing sites |
Permitted nets |
|
Golden Plover and Song Thrush |
20th October – 31st December 2014
|
6 birds (any combination from the two species) |
In Carnet de Chasse and via mobile on the numbers indicated in special license |
Any combination from the two species up to a total of 10 birds. All birds used as live-decoys must be fitted with a species-specific single-use ring approved by WBRU |
If a captured bird is used on site as a live-decoy, it must be fitted with a single-use ring approved by WBRU |
Not more than two stations per licensee, not more than 2 pairs of clap-nets per station. Only sites registered by WBRU are allowed. |
Maximum size of each clapnet: 60 square metres. Minimum mesh size: 30mm |
|
Seven finch species: Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Hawfinch, Chaffinch and Serin |
10 birds (any combination of species) |
|
Not more than 21 finches/hybrids – any combination but not more than 7 finches/hybrids of the same species at any one time. All live decoys must be either close-ringed captive-breds, or, if birds taken from the wild during the season are used as decoys, these must be ringed with special single-use rings approved by WBRU |
All captured birds must be fitted with a single-use ring approved by WBRU |
Maximum size of each clapnet: 38 square metres. Minimum mesh size: 18mm |
Applications for general license (Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib) and Special Licenses shall be received at all MaltaPost branches in Malta and Gozo between tomorrow and August 2.
Application requirements pertaining to each type of license are explained in below table:
|
Type of license |
Persons eligible to apply |
Fees |
Application requirements |
|
New general live-capturing license (Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib) |
Anyone who reached 18 years of age who never had a valid general live-capturing license (Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib), and who passes examination on the knowledge of applicable regulations prior to issuance of general license |
All fees are payable at MaltaPost upon application
€20 Carnet de Chasse fee €13.98 Police fee €30 Examination fee
|
ID card of the applicant, and, in case application is being submitted by someone else, ID card of the person submitting application.
Completed application form.
If applicable, evidence of previous possession of general license (Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib) – either an old Carnet de Chasse booklet, or confirmation from Police that the person has previously been licensed. Those who renewed their Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib this year should still present the 2014-15 booklet at MaltaPost. Applicants who were never in possession of a general live-capturing licence (Carnet de Chasse) are not required to submit any evidence.
Up to two site plans per applicant (two copies each) registered with WBRU and bearing WBRU stamp of approval and signature.
Payment of relevant fees.
|
|
Provisional general live-capturing license (Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib) |
Anyone who reached 18 years of age who had a valid general live-capturing license (Carnet de Chasse Għall-Insib) at any point in time between December 2002 and December 2011, and who passes examination on the knowledge of applicable regulations within 1 year from the issuance of provisional general license
|
||
|
Renewal of general license (Carnet de Chasse Ghall-Insib) that expired in January 2014 |
Persons in possession of general license that expired in January 2014 |
€20 Carnet de Chasse fee €13.98 Police fee
|
|
|
Special license for live-capturing of seven finch species in autumn 2014 |
Persons in possession of valid general license (Carnet de Chasse Ghall-Insib) or who have applied for new or provisional general license |
€55 Special License fee €0.50 per single use ring approved by WBRU, up to 10 rings for each species |
|
|
Special license for live-capturing of Golden Plover and Song Thrush in autumn 2014 |
€55 Special License fee €0.50 per single use ring approved by WBRU, up to 10 rings in all irrespective of the species. |
Clarifications can be obtained from the Wild Birds Regulation Unit on Tel: 23886214 / 215 from 9am to 12:30pm during weekdays.