- Hunting

 

Every year millions of migratory birds are shot or caught while making their twice-yearly passage over the islands. In trying to make a valid evaluation of the problem we are faced with difficulties due to the largely inaccurate data available concerning the number of shooters and trappers and the size of their catches. An estimate of the number of active hunters based on official data only is bound to be inaccurate as many hunt without a license. The figure of 17,000 hunters is often quoted but this may be an inaccurate figure.

It is virtually impossible to estimate the number of birds taken by hunters and trappers but many of them will shoot at virtually any bird and no serious attempt is being made by the authorities to stop them. Malta has the shortest close season in all of Europe.

Trappers tend to be more selective than hunters in their choice of catch and many go for the Fringillidae, which according to Sultana & Gauci (1982) "are caught in very large numbers which may exceed 1.5 million birds. Magnin (1986) states that "a total of 3 million birds is a conservative number....in a year in which finches appear in large numbers, the catch exceeds the 4 million mark".

The recent decision of the government to give in to demands made by hunters and trappers has been a big step in the wrong direction. The country has been held to ransom by a large minority when most Maltese abhor the hunting and trapping of birds.

Fishing :

Malta is not one of the worst offenders when it comes to the depletion of marine stock, nevertheless, an increased activity in recent years has contributed substantially to the loss of marine life in our waters. Spear fishing by locals and tourists, particularly in conjunction with aqualungs, has proved very destructive of non prolific species of fish like groupers (cerna).

Between 5 and 7 trawlers operate from Malta and these drag their nets along the sea bed thereby slowly destroying marine habitats. Small gauge mesh nets are also depleting fish-stocks and habitats. Dynamite is also used in Malta by part-time 'fishermen' and this abuse goes largely unchecked.

Moviment ghall-Ambjent has always been vociferous in its stand against hunting and trapping. We recommend that :

	the government should organise a referendum so that the hunting and trapping laws are brought at least up to EU standards.
	whatever laws remain on the books, the government should take steps to ensure that the laws are strictly adhered to. An educational campaign should accompany enforced legislation with the aim of eradicating both hunting and trapping.
	all kinds of unsustainable destructive fishing be declared illegal and this law strictly enforced. That laws presently in force are properly adhered to. A warden should be appointed to check fishing boats for any illegalities.