Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1241994
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 29 APRIL 2020 NEWS www.pa.org.mt PLANNING AUTHORITY The role requires a person who supports the utilisation of geographic datasets in the Planning Authority through appropriate training, data cycle (gathering, cleaning, analysis and output) and data set development. The person is required to have: Qualificati ons: First degree (or similar post graduate qualifications) in GIS; or similar graduate or post grad qualifications. Candidates are to present scanned copies of all qualifications with their application. Candidates who are in possession of foreign qualifications are to present proof of MQF Level equivalence with their application. E xperienc e: Experience in GIS dataset management. S kills: Interpersonal and teamwork skills. The above post is for an indefinite period. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application, together with detailed curriculum vitae to: The Human Resourc es Manager Planning Authorit y Ref: Assistant Professi onal Offic er (Informati on Resourc es) Jobsplus Permit No is 1 98/2020 via email: jobapplications@pa.org.mt For further information visit our website: http:// www.pa.org.mt/en/ vacancies C losing Date: 6 th May 2020 JOIN OUR TEAM Assistant Professional Officer (Information Resources) CAREER OPPORTUNITY MATTHEW VELLA BIRDLIFE has reported a total of 63 ille- gal casualties from hunters and poachers this year, doubled the amount received in 2019 – 32 – by this time of the year. Forty-one casualties alone were recov- ered by BirdLife and the police in the last 10 days, with a raging spring hunting sea- son in Malta resulting in more illegalities. This increasing trend indicates that 2020 will be a record year for illegally-shot pro- tected birds, BirdLife said. "Although we're only at the end of April, this year's total so far already stands at nearly two thirds of last year's full total, which was 99," spokesperson Nathaniel Attard said. Even comparing the hunting casualties recovered during 2020's spring hunting season to last year's shows how illegal hunting this year is rampant: during the same period last year between the 10th and 30th April, BirdLife recovered just 12 known illegally shot protected birds. This year, with another three days to go before the end of the season, there are already 41 casualties. "So much for home affairs minister's By- ron Camilleri's reassurance in Parliament yesterday that the number of inspections and offences was the same as last year," Attard said. "Between the 18th of April and yester- day we recovered all sorts of shot species: Turtle-dove, Bee-eater, Yellow-legged Gull, Common Swift, Golden Oriole, Stone Curlew, Hoopoe, Common Kestrel, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier, Honey-buz- zard, Black Kite, and even a shot pigeon," Attard said. The highest number of shot birds recov- ered were Turtle-doves, for a total of 13 recovered in just 10 days, which Attard said proved the season had been nothing but a smokescreen for hunters to illegally shoot this vulnerable species. "Two of the Turtle-doves together with the Black Kite were found at the FKNK- claimed land of Miżieb, a mecca for hunt- ing illegalities which the government wants to hand over to the hunting lobby through a secret agreement revealed last week by the media. This will mean that the area will be closed to the general pub- lic for a period of at least nine out of 12 months, with exclusive access for hunters to hunt Quail, Turtle-dove and also rab- bits." BirdLife says illegal hunting casualties double those in 2019 MATTHEW AGIUS A man will be sentenced at a later date after he confessed in court this morning, to having committed a string of thefts five years ago. Inspector Wayne Camilleri, prosecuting, said that foren- sic analysis of the evidence had led the police to a 24 year-old Malian man. The man, Mahama- dou Fofana was arraigned in court this morning, before magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit and charged with committing the 5 burgla- ries in December 2015 from residences in Msida, Swieqi Gzira and Santa Venera.. Fofana, who is currently serving time in prison for an- other offence but was due to be released next week, plead- ed guilty in court today. Sentencing was put off to a later date after Fofana's law- yer, Graziella Tanti, appear- ing as legal aid to the accused, requested a presentencing report. The lawyer pointed out that the man had almost served his sentence and was already working from prison. Bail was not requested. Man admits to string of burglaries from 2015 A turtle-dove retrieved from the FKNK-claimed land of Mizieb