Derelict hunting structures removed at Majjistral park

Several dilapidated trapping and hunting structures within a Natura 2000 site at Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park were removed this week,

In a statement issued by government, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights stressed that the initiative was taken by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit in collaboration with the park’s management, MEPA and the hunters’ federation (FKNK).

The dilapidated structures were located in areas containing important protected habitats, the secretariat said.

Commenting on the clean-up operation, environment minister Leo Brincat said that the removal of these structures through a joint effort between environmental NGOs, members of the public, FKNK and government entities “is an example of cooperation which shows that both hunters and conservationists can contribute proactively towards the conservation of biodiversity in a non-confrontational manner.”

Parliamentary secretary Roderick Galdes thanked all involved and augured that this would not be a one-off occasion but a precursor to further collaboration towards the conservation of natural Maltese landscape. 

Galdes added that in “a major strengthening of legal controls over trapping activities will be announced next week,” as the government is set to announce the trapping season in autumn after a five-year absence.