Malta - they shoot birds don't they? REFERENDUM RESULT JUST IN

Further to the blog below, the results of the Malta referendum on Spring bird hunting has just been released today (Sunday 12 April) and, by the narrowest of margins, the pro-hunting side won: 50.44% to 49.56%.

Write up by the BBC HERE, including maps showing the bird migration routes.

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I first went to Malta on a family holiday as child. My father had a close Maltese friend who lived in the capital, Valletta,  and I remember the visit and his friend and family with great pleasure.

In the intervening decades between then and now and my two recent visits in connection with the ECS, I have heard little about the island nation other than in association with its highly controversial hunting of birds. The Maltese government allows over 9,700 hunters to shoot up to 16,000 turtle dove and quail each spring, and there is evidence that other species are injured and killed illegally, including swifts, yellow-legged gulls, kestrels and a little bittern. The TV naturalist, Chris Packham, highlighted this matter (at some risk to himself) during a visit last year. (More HERE). 

At the beginning of the year, the Maltese government announced an historic referendum on the Spring bird hunt and this is now imminent. The vote will be held on April 11th. It is apparent when reading the local papers and talking to Maltese colleagues that this is a very political matter and the Maltese are deeply divided over it with very strong views on both sides.

Like other small island nations with limited resources trying to make their way in the modern world, the Maltese are proud of their independence, which has survived various occupations and even bombardment during world war two.Hence, voices from outside the island lamenting this hunt which threatens migratory species, including endangered turtle doves, may not be effective. However, the Maltese might also reflect on the fact - if I am correct - that this is the issue that they are now best known for around the world and also, more positively, the potential for the development of ecotourism in connection with the Spring migration!

RSPB on the Spring Referendum HERE

Time of Malta on the announcement of the referendum HERE