Officials from the Sovereign Base Area Police’s specialist anti-bird trapping team last week confirmed more resources were dedicated to combating the issue than ever before.
Members of the Community Action Team (CAT) revealed that during the Ambelopoulia and Thrush poaching seasons, police officials bolstered its numbers by using up to 10 military personnel on daily operations.
According to SBA police, the use of the military between August and March – the key months – resulted in up to 16 personnel, including police specialists, working in the Dhekelia region every day to combat the illegal activity.
The enhanced team also carried out seven operations with Bird Life Cyprus and 32 alongside the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS).
During the recent task force meeting, Chief Inspector Pertev Karagozlou confirmed the crime has been reduced by 94 per cent since setting up an action plan in 2016.
Speaking at the meeting, which is routinely attended by Bases Administration officials, Bird Life Cyprus and CABS, the chief inspector explained how his team had been reinforced.
He said: “Since we developed our Anti-bird Trapping Action Plan in 2016, we have worked tirelessly to overcome what has been an historical problem on the island.
“Having reviewed our statistics for the past season, bird trapping has still been reduced by close to 100 per cent when compared to pre-2016 levels.”
The chief inspector acknowledged that there had been a slight statistical increase in bird trapping over the past year but he felt that was easily explained.
He continued: “When you have a near 100 per cent reduction in anything, one case can drastically change the statistics.
“In fact, we have had a much larger team out on the ground than we have ever had in the past, which means we are able to cover a much wider area and arrest trappers that may have gone undetected in previously.”
During the 2023-2024 season, the SBA Police made 14 arrests, including 10 for illegal bird trapping and four for the attempted transportation of Ambelopoulia. A further 10 cases remain under investigation.
In a warning to bird trappers, Chief Inspector Karagozlou also confirmed the SBA Police are pushing to increase what are already heavy fines for the illegal activity.
“I have heard talk of reducing the fines for bird trapping but I can categorically state that is not our intention. In fact, we will be looking at increasing the fines for those caught, as financial punishments act as a significant deterrent.”
Currently, a fixed penalty for the possession and use of a mistnet is €2,000, with an additional €500 added for every extra net found.
Possession of a live or dead bird is also punishable with a €2,000 fine, with a further €100 increase for each extra bird discovered.
If you are found using lime sticks, a €2,000 fine is applied and a further €10 added for each additional stick.
“Whilst it is clear the fines are already large, we are always looking to do more” the chief inspector stated.
“Every case can also be forwarded to court, where, depending on its severity, the judge could sentence an individual with up to three years in prison.”
Over the next year the police are also confident of securing extra funding to add new technology, including better surveillance equipment, with updated drones and cameras.
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