Hunters urged ‘not to give in’ to provocation from opponents

Hunters' association KSU (Kaccaturi San Ubertu) has called on members "not to give in to the provocation" of opponents of spring hunting, which season will start on 10 April.

Also deployed on the ground will be 20 monitors from German's Campaign Against Bird Slaughter, who will monitoring the season from the 19-30 April, which remains subject to strict conditions.

KSU president Mark Mifsud Bonnici urged hunters to report any form of abuse on the purposely dedicated 119 number.

Malta will open a limited spring hunting season for Turtle dove and Quail, in a derogation from the EU's ban on spring hunting. 

"We urge all hunters not to give in to the provocation of those opposing spring hunting. In total breach of their right to privacy all hunters are being watched, filmed and monitored by CABS and BirdLife Malta who have pledged to eradicate spring hunting and declare they will use every legal means possible to end the legal application of a derogation by Malta's government in accordance with the European Birds Directive.

"We trust their actions are similarly monitored for illegal activity by the forces of law," Mifsud Bonnici said.

As in previous years, roost areas of protected birds of prey, storks and herons will be monitored around the clock by CABS to report any illegal trapping activity to the Administrative Law Enforcement unit.

This year CABS operations will concentrate on the poaching hotspots identified during previous camps including the area of the international airport, the Delimara peninsula and Gozo. CABS said the costs of the camp, dubbed Operation Skyfall, will amount to €18,000 which has been covered by private donations and a grant from the German Foundation Pro Biodiversity.