No. 622
WILD BIRDS REGULATION UNIT
Notice of Derogation
IN exercise of the powers conferred by the fourth proviso to Regulation 10(6) of the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42), the Minister responsible for the environment, in conjunction with the Minister for Gozo and Planning, after giving due consideration to the outcome of the meeting of the Malta Ornis Committee held on the 30th March, 2026, is hereby authorising derogation from the provisions of Regulation 4 (1) (a) and (d) in line with the provisions of Regulation 9 (1) (e) to permit limited capturing of European Turtle-doves (Streptopelia turtur). The validity period of the licence shall be from the 20th April, 2026 until the 3rd of May, 2026, both days included, from two hours before sunrise until noon. The first four (4) Turtle-doves will be fitted with a satellite-tag and released back into the wild following closure of the Spring hunting season 2026. The remaining Turtle-doves will be reported as part of the national quota for the 2026 Spring hunting season and introduced as stock to the FKNK's captive-breeding project. Authorisation is being granted to FKNK for the purpose of research to monitor and assess the migratory routes of the specimens fitted with a satellite-tag, and for consanguinity purposes, strictly under the conditions and controls stipulated in the licence issued for this purpose by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit. The information obtained through the satellite tags affixed to the Turtle-doves, shall be provided to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit in the form of a detailed written report within six (6) months from the expiry date of the licence, followed by a final report within three (3) months from the date of last transmission of the satellite-tags.
17th April, 2026
No. 623
WILD BIRDS REGULATION UNIT
Notice of Derogation
IN exercise of the powers conferred by the fourth proviso to Regulation 10(6) of the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42), the Minister responsible for the environment, in conjunction with the Minister for Gozo and Planning, after giving due consideration to the outcome of the meeting of the Malta Ornis Committee held on the 13th April, 2026, is hereby authorising derogation from the provisions of Regulation 4 (1) (a) and (d) in line with the provisions of Regulation 9 (1) (e) to permit the capturing of up to fourteen (14) European Turtle-doves (Streptopelia turtur) for the purpose of affixing these specimens with satellite-tags, followed by their release back into the wild. The validity period shall be from the 20th April, 2026 until the 3rd of May, 2026, both days included, from two hours before sunrise until noon. Authorisation is being granted to Kaċċaturi San Ubertu for the purpose of research to monitor and assess the migratory routes of the specimens fitted with a satellite-tag, strictly under the conditions and controls stipulated in the licence issued for this purpose by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit. The information obtained through this study shall be provided to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit in the form of a detailed written report within six (6) months from the expiry date of the licence, followed by a final report within three (3) months from the date of last transmission of the satellite-tags.
17th April, 2026
No. 624
WILD BIRDS REGULATION UNIT
Notice of Derogation
IN exercise of the powers conferred by the fourth proviso to Regulation 10(6) of the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42), the Minister responsible for the environment, in conjunction with the Minister for Gozo and Planning, after giving due consideration to the recommendations of the Ornis Committee, which met on the 30th March, 2026, is hereby authorising derogation from the provisions of Regulation 4 (1) (a), (d) and (e) in line with the provisions of Regulation 9 (1) (e) to permit the taking of blood and feather samples from up to hundred sixty (160) specimens from Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan, up to hundred sixty (160) specimens from Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea and up to hundred sixty (160) specimens from European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus. The validity period of the licence shall be from the date of publication of this notice until 30th November, 2026. Authorisation is being granted for the purpose of scientific research and analysis strictly under the conditions and controls stipulated in the licences issued for this purpose by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit. The information obtained through this study shall be provided to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit in the form of a detailed written report within six (6) months from the expiry date of the licence.
17th April, 2026
