UPDATE on illegal bird trapping activity in Cyprus

BirdLife Cyprus calls upon the Government of Cyprus and the SBA Administration to implement the following recommendations: 1) The Cyprus Parliament to reverse amendments to the law "Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Species" and to restore the fine for the offenses of possession and use of limesticks and hunting of 14 protected, non-game species from 200 for up to 50 birds to 2000 e. [...] The resources of the above-mentioned enforcement bodies are as follows: • Game & Fauna Service, the responsible body for the implementation of the Birds Directive and the equivalent bird national legislation, has around 210 game wardens in total across the whole of island. [...] Another issue is that, as seen from the on-the-spot fine data provided to BirdLife Cyprus for the period of July 2017 to December 2022 by the Game and Fauna Service, it seems that the higher the fine, the less chance there is of it being paid by the offender. [...] In support of our strong belief that the fines for the killing of migratory songbirds, either with limesticks or with shooting, are non-deterrent, in 2016, prior to the change in the law which introduced on-the- spot fines for trapping offences, the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus sent a letter to the Parliamentary Environment Committee raising concerns regarding the at the time proposed lowe. [...] Recommendations In conclusion, BirdLife Cyprus stresses the following actions and measures as areas for action in 2023: 1) The Cyprus Parliament to reverse amendments to the law "Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Species" and to restore the fine for the offenses of possession and use of limesticks and hunting of 14 protected, non-game species from 200 for up to 50 birds to 2000 euro.