News • 26 January 2003

New hunting and trapping regulations bring into force stiffer penalties for offenders

Sta Venera - Following a series of highly intensive meetings between the Ministry for the Environment, the Federation of Hunters, Trappers and Conservationists and BirdLife Malta a new set of regulations have been issued for hunters and trappers.
It was also announced that hunting and bird protection groups had set up the Ornis Committee to decide on polices related to hunting and trapping licenses and establish policies for the enforcement of laws regulating hunting and trapping.
Commenting on the new hunting and trapping measures, Environment Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino told Malta Today: "These new regulations have been presented in the light of the EU negotiations, following an intensive round of meetings.
"We have moved ahead with the intention of creating rigid regulations to control those persons intent on carrying out illegal hunting and trapping. These rules will be supported by a thorough list of all the birds enjoying special protection on and around the Maltese Islands."
‘New’ regulations have been introduced for the trapping season. The dates have not changed but during the Spring season trapping has been limited to two species.
The new regulations stipulate that:From 1 September to 31 January – four species of birds, turtle dove, quail, golden plover and song thrush are fair game.
From 25 March to 22 May – two species of birds – turtle dove and quail can be trapped.
From 1 October to 10 April – seven types of song-birds – chaffinch, serin, greenfinch, goldfinch, siskin, linnet and hawfinch will be what the trappers will be keeping an eye out for.
It will soon be possible for song-birds to be caught during February, something not possible at present.
The hunting season has also remained unchanged. The birds which may be hunted in spring are turtle-doves and quail, whilst in autumn the selection broadens to the 32 species hunted now.
There have been changes to the regulations binding hunters who venture out at sea, now restricting sea vessels from exceeding a velocity of 18km per hour.
The red-breasted merganser is being included as a bird to be hunted from sea-going hunters following a mistake in the regulations, when the bird was erroneously left out.
All trappers registered before July 2002 will have their permits renewed. New trapping licences will not be issued to those dated later than 31 July 2002 Applicants will not be licensed until a study by the Ornis Committee regarding trapping is complete. That is expected to happen in December 2007.
As regards the Carnet de Chasse, a document in use at present, which includes details of birds caught by trappers and hunters, a minor change has been included to require the details of the whereabouts of the area from which trappers make their catch.
Hunters and trappers who do not carry identification of the Carnet de Chasse whilst hunting or trapping, will be given the possibility of presenting this to the police within 48 hours, a day more than is required presently.
Stuffed bird owners are being awarded an amnesty that will require them to register stuffed birds in their possession with the Director for Environment Protection, by a stipulated date that has yet to be established. Once registered, these applicants will be presented with official certificates listing an inventory of all the specimens in their possession. All those who register stuffed birds by the stipulated date, will not be liable to prosecution.
Offenders will be categorised in two groups those committing minor offences, and those with major offences.
Major offences are those that break the following regulations: that no hunting can take place beyond 3km from the coastline; that there should be no disturbance, hunting or trapping of’ nests, parents or their young; that no hunting or injury to birds or wild rabbits will be allowed within the bird sanctuary; that the possession of bird or wild rabbit, whether dead or alive, within the bird sanctuary is not allowed; that no possession of hunting or trapping implements are allowed within the bird sanctuary; and that there should be no law breaking which involves specially protected birds listed by the Ornis Committee.
The maximum penalty for these offences is being increased from Lm 500 to Lm 1,000 for first-time offenders and from Lm 1,000 to Lm 2,000 for second or further offences. The confiscation of arms, the possibility of a suspension of license and the possibility of imprisonment still stand as at present.
For other offences which are not considered serious: a first-time offender will be fined not less than Lm 50 and not more than Lm 500 (as at present), but the confiscation of the shotgun will be eliminated. For second or further offences, the fine will remain not less than Lm 100 and not more than Lm 1,000. Together with a fine, offenders will risk the possibility of having their shotgun confiscates and/or having a possible suspension of license or permit for not less than a period of one year.
For the first time ever a committee including representatives of hunters’ and trappers’ groups, as well as groups working for the protection of birds shall be deciding on policies and conditions binding the issue of new licences, as well as planning out policies to enforce the present law.