Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534722
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 25 APRIL 2025 NEWS THE Nationalist Party (PN) has criticised the government over its handling of the Gozo Fer- ry, after a recent tender process aimed at resolving connectivity issues "ended in failure." In a statement, the party said the latest setback has left Gozitans continuing to rely on the MV Nikolaos, a leased vessel that costs taxpayers €14,000 dai- ly in rent, excluding fuel costs. "The government-issued ten- der, supposedly aimed at re- solving the connectivity issue between the two islands, and clearly set up to fail, has indeed failed. Responding to a Parlia- mentary Question by National- ist MP Chris Said, the Minister for Gozo confirmed that when the call for tenders closed on 2nd April, no interest had been expressed in leasing a vessel to operate between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr to replace the 36-year-old Greek ferry," the party said. The party also said that the government was failing to ad- dress the ongoing ferry issues despite having "clear solutions, including proposals backed by EU funding." Nationalist MEP Peter Agius stated that there are specific EU funds available for investment in the Gozo Channel fleet, but the government has not utilised these opportunities, instead opt- ing to waste millions of taxpay- ers' money. "The failure of this tender is evidence of the government's in- competence," said a PN spokes- person. "We warned that this process was set up to fail, and now Gozitans are stuck with an old ferry that is unsafe, ineffi- cient, and costing taxpayers mil- lions." The PN said that the govern- ment's handling of the situation was a deliberate attempt to main- tain the status quo by issuing an- other direct order for the MV Nikolaos, bypassing proper ten- der procedures. "This is a cynical move to justify the continuation of the current arrangement and the expenditure of public funds," the spokesperson added. Furthermore, the party said it remained sceptical of the gov- ernment's announcement that a new call for tenders will be issued this summer for the construction of a new ferry, stating that until a new vessel is built, Gozitans will have to "endure the challenges posed by the ageing ferry." The party also lambasted the government's lack of a long-term plan for Gozo's connectivity, stating that the ongoing failures show that Gozo and its citizens are not a priority for the Labour Government. "Once again, we see a govern- ment that fails to plan, fails to consult, and fails to address the real issues affecting Gozitans. This lack of vision is harming Gozitan families and businesses, who continue to struggle with an unreliable and costly ferry ser- vice," the PN said. PN accuses government of mishandling Gozo Ferry tender The Nationalist Party has criticised the government for its failure to resolve ongoing ferry service issues between Malta and Gozo, after a recent tender process ended without a solution MV Nikolaos (Photo: DOI/George Scerri) National quota of 1,500 Turtle-doves has already been reached illegally, Birdlife says THE hunting season for Tur- tle-doves has not yet opened, but the national quota of 1,500 Turtle-doves has already been illegally reached. This is based on footage and observations made by BirdLife Malta's Spring Watch teams, who have seen over 80% of hunters active in re- cent days illegally targeting Tur- tle-doves, despite the hunting period from 14–20 April being solely for Common Quail. Illegal hunting of Turtle-doves especially peaked over the past three mornings (Thursday, Fri- day, and Saturday), with intense shooting reported in the early hours across various areas of Malta and Gozo. The distinction between Tur- tle-dove and Quail hunting is eas- ily observed. Turtle-dove hunt- ing takes place from stationary locations such as hides or hunt- ing towers, while Quail hunting requires hunters to move — of- ten with dogs — through open areas with low vegetation. The two bird species are also very easily distinguishable, especial- ly by hunters. The majority of hunters observed over the past five days were seen stationary with shotguns in hand inside their hides, with many hiding as soon as they noticed the observ- ing Spring Watch teams. Turtle-doves migrating were especially noted by teams as they ran the gauntlet of gunfire from various hunters stationed in dif- ferent hides. This was particular- ly evident in recent days in places like Miżieb – the FKNK-claimed afforested area, which offers ide- al habitat for Turtle-dove hunt- ing. The north-west area of Gozo was also exceptionally active, with one hunter observed killing three Turtle-doves in a single morning. Every team in the field over the past three mornings witnessed Turtle-doves being shot at and shot down. BirdLife Malta's Spring Watch teams reported several incidents to the Environ- mental Protection Unit (EPU), including Turtle-doves being shot and hunting taking place within 200 metres of residential areas. Illegal hunting was not limited to Turtle-doves. Other protect- ed species were also targeted, including a Collared Dove, a Common Kestrel, a Hobby, and a Bee-eater — all recovered during the past three days of intensified illegal hunting. This behaviour certainly does not help with the two infringe- ment procedures open against Malta – one on enforcement and the other on spring hunting of Turtle-doves. Meanwhile, the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) has still not published the total num- ber of hunting licences issued, nor their distribution across Malta and Gozo, despite repeat- ed requests for this information. The legal notice permitting a derogation for trapping under the so-called "research initiative" for Turtle-doves has also not yet been issued. "It is ironic that while the hunt- ing federation gets a derogation to trap Turtle-doves for captive breeding under the excuse of re- search to replenish wild popula- tions, its members have occupied Miżieb in recent days, ensuring no Turtle-dove makes it out alive, as they are met with a bar- rage of illegally fired shots," re- marked Nicholas Barbara, Head of Conservation, BirdLife Malta. BirdLife Malta is questioning whether the hunters who shot and killed Turtle-doves over the past five days have filled in the forms that the hunting federa- tions representing them urged them to complete, as part of the so-called 'Sustainability Index' survey for this season — said to lead to "scientific" reports in- tended to inform future deci- sions. The hunting season for Tur- tle-doves will open between 21 April and 4 May, with hunters obliged by law to register both their hunting effort and any birds shot. A national quota of 1,500 Turtle-doves is shared among over 9,000 hunters expected to be licensed for this period. Any illegal hunting observed should be reported to 119, asking for the EPU. Shot Common Kestrel with eye injury from Attard (Photo: Birdlife Malta)