Illegal hunting will remain a top priority for BirdLife Malta’s new executive director, although he stressed the organisation “should not ignore its conservation work”.

Paul Debono, an accountant by profession, succeeds Tolga Temuge who held the position for four years.

Under Mr Temuge’s leadership, BirdLife took a more militant stand against hunting and the illegal occupation of the countryside by hunters.

Addressing a news conference this morning, Mr Debono said illegal hunting was a major problem and will remain a top priority for BirdLife.

However, he also highlighted the organisation’s conservation work and spoke of the need to raise the standards of scientific research.

A Maltese-German, Mr Debono was finance and executive director to Greenpeace Mediterranean between 2001 and 2005. Before joining BirdLife, he worked with a German IT company based in Malta.

Mr Temuge, who was present for the conference, said he felt it was time to move on.

“I know Paul through Greenpeace. He is a committed environmentalist and I trust him,” Mr Temuge said adding he had no immediate plans, however, he would probably be working in the field of environmental justice and human rights.

BirdLife President Joe Mangion thanked Mr Temuge and gave an overview of the organisation’s conservation and management work, including at the wetland reserves of Simar and Ghadira.

When asked about spring hunting, Mr Mangion said BirdLife expected government not to raise false hopes and not waste anymore time on the issue.

“After opening a limited spring hunting season last year, Malta has once again come under fire from the European Commission. Spring hunting is untenable,” he said.