FKNK insists bird catch reporting system works, despite no reply on WBRU number

The head of Malta’s hunting federation has insisted that a phone system used to report bird catches is working, despite Times of Malta trying and failing to access it.

FKNK president Lucas Micallef said that while reporting of catches might not be “immediate” it nevertheless happened.

He acknowledged some problems with an iOS version of the reporting application but said an Android version worked perfectly and that hunters could also call the Wild Birds Regulation Unit to report catches over the phone.

Times of Malta tried to call the WBRU number on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday morning. Nobody answered the phone.

Hunters are obliged to declare any shot turtle-doves to the WBRU. A limit of 1,500 birds is currently in place for over 8,000 licensed hunters. If the hunting bag limit is reached before April 30, the season will be closed.

Anti-hunting NGO Birdlife Malta first flagged concerns about the reporting system on Friday, noting how several hunters had claimed on Facebook that they were unable to register their catches.

FKNK president Lucas Micallef hit back at those who complained about the reporting system's functionality online

Birdlife has described the reporting...