Eco-Tourism Committee condemns illegal hunting impact

The Co-ordinating Committee on Eco-Tourism Year 2002 set up jointly by the Environment and Tourism Ministers yesterday expressed its dismay over the effects of illegal hunting on Malta’s highly valued tourism industry.

It explains, "The recent horrific shooting of mute swans at St Thomas' Bay on 20 January, which has left the majority of Maltese seething with anger, is the culmination of a series of damaging incidents to the tourism industry.

"These actions are incompatible with the needs of a vital part of Malta's economy and run contrary to the whole spirit of ecotourism, which seeks to respect nature in all its manifestations."

The Co-ordinating Committee urged the relevant authorities to redouble their efforts in this sphere - by applying the existing law on illegal hunting more rigorously and to take all steps necessary to reduce the adverse effects of hunting and trapping. These would also include the harassment of tourists by hunters and trappers on public property.