Qawra Point declared nature reserve
Updated 6.45pm, adds ERA statement Qawra Point has been declared a nature reserve, banning all forms of trapping and hunting. The development comes two hunting seasons after it was announced by then Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia in October 2021. Then, Farrugia had said Qawra Point will be designated a no-hunting area. He had made the statement following the shooting of four flamingos over Qawra. Published on Tuesday, the new legal notice declares Qawra Point as a new nature reserve. This means that all forms of capturing, hunting, collecting, trapping, killing or sale of any species or specimens of flora or fauna found in the area is now prohibited. The notice also bans dumping of waste or rubble or the burying of chemical substances at Qawra Point. Loud music or excessive noise or light is also banned, along with open fires or any commercial activity without a permit. Anyone caught trying to capture, hunt or kill any specimens can be slapped with a fine of not less than €750, but not more than €5,000 for each specimen for the first offence. On a second or subsequent offence, a person can be fined not less than €1,500 but not more than €10,000 for each specimen, or...