Hunters’ turnaround on ‘foreign spies’ as spring decision looms
Matthew Vella
The hunters’ lobby drastically altered its antagonistic tone towards BirdLife Malta, in the wake of a decision by the Prime Minister on whether to open the spring shooting season or not.
Yesterday, the hunters and trappers federation (FKNK) said it was welcoming the same foreign birdwatchers it had previously accused of being “spies” and “mercenaries”, in what appears to be a public relations effort at toning down its oppositional image.
After slating BirdLife for “allowing foreign interference” from the Campaign Against Bird Slaughter’s rangers back in 2008, the FKNK is now “welcoming” BirdLife’s spring camp to be held in April.
“This can help to further curb unlawful activities and help respect law-abiding hunters’ and trappers’ rights… FKNK would be willing to pay for Police on extra duties to accompany any individuals, couples or groups from the camp on their field-surveys during the period covered by the derogation. The FKNK is also similarly willing in the case of CABS who are also scheduled to be in Malta in April, if these are ready to accept this offer.”
In another attempt at currying public support, the FKNK also announced it will run “a very serious name-and-shame campaign against illegal activities” on a daily reporting basis in collaboration with the police authorities.
The FKNK has also submitted a set of proposals it said should justify a derogation from the Birds Diretive, which bans hunting in spring, for hunting in April and May of quail and turtle-doves, the traditional quarry of the Maltese hunters and trappers.
The FKNK said it will renew an application to an EU Life+ Project to captive-breed turtle doves and quails from wild stock caught by local trappers, and releasing both the off-spring and most of the breeding stock. “This measure will further compensate to a degree the net numbers taken by hunting and trapping.”
The lobby proposed new specifications for constructing hides in an environment friendly manner to ensure “a recreational necessity does not become an eyesore, but blends better with Malta’s countryside.”
The FKNK said it would pass on an observation record chart to members, to record on a daily basis the number of turtle doves and quail they observed in April and May. The charts would eventually produce a report from the recorded sightings.
The federation also wanted to organise a photography competition to encourage members to take photographs of any wild birds they may encounter when hunting and trapping.
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