L.S. 549.174 Regolamenti dwar il-Konservazzjoni tal-Għasafar Selvaġġi (Dikjarazzjoni dwar Deroga għal Staġun tal-Kaċċa fir-Rebbiegħa tal-2025 għall-Ga

(1)The title of these regulations is the Conservation of Wild Birds (Declaration on a Derogation for a 2025 Spring Hunting Season for Turtle Dove) Regulations and these regulations shall be read in conjunction with the Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtle Dove and Quail Regulations. Citation and scope.    S.L. 549.57.

(2)These regulations are being issued in line with Article 9 of Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, hereinafter referred to as the "Birds Directive".

(3)For the purposes of these regulations and within the meaning of Article 9 of the Birds Directive, the Minister took into consideration the favourable conservation status of Malta’s reference population of the Turtle Dove, which is "Stable"*.

1. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms and expressions used in these regulations, shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations, hereinafter referred to as the "Wild Birds Regulations" and in the Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtle Dove and Quail Regulations. Interpretation.   S.L. 549.42.    S.L. 549.
3. For the purposes of these regulations, the Turtle Dove is classified as a huntable species under Part B of Annex II of the Birds Directive. In this context, the "small numbers" requirement within the meaning of Article 9

(1)(c) of the Birds Directive shall be understood as "a sample in the order of one percent (1%) of the total annual mortality of the population in question". For the purposes of these regulations, "population in question" shall be understood with regard to these migratory species, as the population of those regions within the territory of the European Union from which the main contingents passing through the region come, to which the derogation applies Determination of reference population and small numbers. *1 As detailed in the report dated February 2025 on the conservation status of the Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), which is available on the website: https://wbru.gov.mt/en/ resources/reports-and-statistics/other-reports/. 2 [ S.L. 549.174 CONSERVATION OF WILD BIRDS (DECLARATION ON A DEROGATION FOR A 2025 SPRING HUNTING SEASON FOR TURTLE DOVE) during its period of application. Calculation of 1% of the total annual mortality of the reference population. 4. The one percent (1%) of the total annual mortality of Malta’s reference population of Turtle Dove shall be calculated as follows: Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) Minimum breeding success: 2.029 chicks per pair (116,754 x 2.029) = 236,894 Mortality rate of first year birds: (236,894 x 68.90%) = 163,220 Mortality rate of adult birds: (233,508 x 36.70%) = 85,697 Total annual mortality: (163,220 + 85,697) = 248,917 1% of total annual mortality: (248,917 x 1%) = 2,489 Establishment of spring hunting season. S.L. 549.42. 5. For the purposes of the fourth proviso to regulation 10

(6)of the Wild Birds Regulations and for the purposes of these regulations, the period for the hunting of Turtle Dove in spring 2025 shall be from the 21st of April to the 4th of May 2025, both dates included, from two

(2)hours before sunrise until noon: Provided that the provisions of these regulations shall cease to have effect and no hunting activity shall be permitted in the event that the Minister orders, by notice in the Gazette or any other notice, that the spring hunting season shall terminate immediately or at a date as specified by the Minister. Hunting according to set framework. S.L. 549.

2. For the purposes of these regulations, the spring hunting season shall be in accordance with the provisions of the framework laid down by the Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtle Dove and Quail Regulations and subject to all the conditions as set out in the Spring Hunting Licence. Special licence and quotas. 7.

(1)The Spring Hunting Licence shall set the overall bag limit for the spring hunting season at one thousand and five hundred (1,500) Turtle Doves, as the total number of birds which may be hunted under the authority of all issued licences taken together.

(2)The Spring Hunting Licence shall cease to have effect in the event that the Minister orders, by notice in the Gazette or any other notice, that the spring hunting season shall terminate immediately or at a date as specified by the Minister.