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Shearwater Harvesters Put On Notice
With shearwater seasons continuing, RSPCA Tasmania has warned harvesters its Inspectors will be on hand to ensure the birds’ welfare is not compromised in any way and that all participants adhere to the correct methods of collection and dispatch.
RSPCA Tasmania said this year was the first time the RSPCA had sent its Animal Welfare Officers into the field, but that it was essential given the nature of the practice.
“Shearwater harvesting by its very nature is fraught with unnecessary cruelty",
“The reality of the process is that the only chick a breeding pair of shearwaters will produce this year will be forcibly dragged from the burrow by the harvester who will then manually break the bird’s neck.
“The welfare of this bird literally rests in the hands of the harvester and their skill in carrying out this procedure effectively, but with little or no formal training given by any private or Government body, novice harvesters are left to their own devices when it comes to dispatching the birds.
“It is unfortunate that there has been no significant improvement in the information supplied to recreational harvesters at the time they apply for their license. It is confusing and completely inadequate to say the least. Our primary concern continues to be that the number of inexperienced hunters will increase and contribute to the cruelty being perpetrated on these animals.
“To just sit back and hope that everyone knows what they’re doing is simply not good enough.”
The RSPCA went on to say that the RSPCA would like to see other changes to the process including more stringent licensing controls and an increase in the licensing age from 16 to 18. Improved monitoring of bag limits and hunting techniques for all hunters (both commercial and recreational) should also be undertaken.
“Poaching is also something we are extremely concerned about. Last year 18 shearwater poachers were charged and it’s safe to assume that people who are comfortable disregarding the law are going to give little consideration to the wellbeing of animals they are hunting.
“Techniques for retrieving the birds too must be examined with items such as sharpened or barbed sticks – all of which are prohibited – still being used. Those proven guilty of such an offence may face a considerable financial penalty as well as the possibility of gaol time.
“Ultimately, we would like to see a complete ban on a practice which we believe is outdated and unnecessary. A ban would also indicate that Tasmania is as aware of the importance of providing a safe haven for birds which face such immense obstacles to produce their single chick as the rest of the country.”
Download assets/files/media-releases/Shearwater Harvesters Put On Notice.pdf.