Close to 3,000 rings distributed to trappers were never returned following last autumn’s season, the government confirmed.

Every finch trapped needs to be fitted with a ring, issued as one of the measures used to enforce the quota. Those that remain unused are meant to be returned to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

The information emerged following an article in this newspaper showing that the government issued nearly 12,000 more rings than the total quota of birds permitted

The number of finches that can be caught in the season is 27,500, yet the unit issued 38,598 rings. The WBRU sought to allay concerns that there was no reconciliation system to ensure the quota was not breached.

It said trappers responsible for the rings that were “claimed as lost” were fined €5 for each ring.

The fine is meant to act as a deterrent, but trappers spend hundreds of euros preparing for an open season.

The government insisted it “enacted multi-layered game reporting and quota mechanisms that comprise an electronic reporting system, a carnet de chasse system, field inspections and spot checks, and an independent scientific monitoring effort”.

Records kept by the government on the number of birds caught depends on what the trappers themselves report. Yet the government insists that “failure to report birds caught incurs a fine of €50 per bird not reported (if individual bag limit is not exceeded) and up to €5,000 fine if the bag limit is exceeded”.

The WBRU said it has deployed over 60 enforcement officers to monitor compliance. “They are equipped with portable computing systems that contain a geographic register of all licensed trapping sites. Enforcement officers are at present conducting inspections and spot checks on individual trappers to enforce compliance with licence conditions.

“Any breaches detected are immediately prosecuted,” the unit said.

By its nature trapping is more difficult to monitor than hunting. While hunters can target one bird at a time, trappers are able to capture – if bird migration conditions allow it – more than their allowable quota in one attempt.

The government issued nearly 5,000 licences for the autumn trapping season – 3,877 for finch trapping and 1,122 for golden plover and song thrush. “If the quota for any species is reached, the season for that species is terminated and all licencees are immediately notified,” the WBRU said.

The finch trapping season was opened again this year despite the European Commission referring Malta to the European Court over last year’s season.