This matter extends well beyond Malta, as the European Birds Directive prohibits bird trapping – as an unsustainable way of killing birds, which is even less sustainable when practiced in spring. 

The proposed reasoning justifying the trapping of turtle doves has been stated by the government as the fairly ambiguous “scientific reasons”.

BirdLife CEO Mark Sultana explained to Lovin Malta that the European Court of Justice is likely to set a date at which the Maltese government will have to justify this decision.

“If the ECJ decides that they are not being given solid reasoning, then they will opt to go to court. It’s exactly what we have at the moment in the case of finch trapping,” he said.

Though the “scientific reasons” excuse failed to convince the European Commission in the case of trapping finches – for which Malta is expected to face the ECJ – perhaps it will be more effective in the case of trapping turtle doves.

As a result of violating the European Birds Directive, Malta is facing open infringement proceedings for allowing the trapping of song thrush, golden plover, finches, as well as violations in allowing spring hunting of the common quail and turtle-dove. 

BirdLife has questioned the extent to which Abela is interested in hunting issues at all before, but went further today when Sultana expressed suspicions about the independence of ORNIS.

He explained that BL has no choice but to remain on the committee, if for no other reason than to oversee potential wrongdoing and potential corruption. 

“Political gain remains the main force of reasoning at the ORNIS Committee where all scientific facts are sidelined. This is what makes the Committee inefficient in playing an advisory role, instead becoming simply a rubber stamp for Government decisions.”

He continued: “Our country’s reputation at EU level has hit rock-bottom, very similar to the conservation status of the turtle-dove. It is very sad that our country remains adamant to go contrary to what the rest of Europe is aiming for.”

Sultana told Lovin Malta about a new “Restore Nature Directive” which will become EU law seeking to boost biodiversity – amongst other environmental goals.

“The turtle dove is at the centre of a Europe-wide conservation effort, except in Malta.”

As a result of this directive, Sultana believes that “our country will face serious issues unless the culture that one can take from nature irrespective of its status changes drastically”.

Although BL hopes that the ECJ will take appropriate action against the Maltese government to prevent future spring hunting of turtle-doves, they are not relying wholly on the international process.

“We feel that we have to use the local courts to stop things that are happening in Malta,” he said.

BL will be spreading its resources across the islands, with emphasis on Gozo, with its yearly Spring Watch camp. This initiative brings together volunteers from across Malta and Europe to monitor migration – as well as hunting and trapping. 

The organisation has been successful in halting the spring hunting season before. They are hopeful that people around Malta to get in contact with BL or the police to report any bird-related illegalities they witness, along with reporting any shot or injured birds during the spring hunting season. 

Do you think Maltese hunting culture needs to change?