The Hunting Inspection fined the Hunting Association (LD) "Piva" from Plužine with 1.400 euros for partridges that an Italian citizen caught on their territory, and later tried to illegally take out of the country.
The President of the Hunting Association of Montenegro (LSCG) Nikola Marković said that the Italian, otherwise an "old guest" in Plužine, did not have with him the mandatory accompanying documentation for the catch, which the LD "Piva" had to issue to him.
He said that the manager of LD "Piva" was specially fined 200 euros and that the fines must be paid within eight days.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Petar Ivanović, signed the Order banning the hunting of rock partridges for three years, after the officers of the Customs Administration of the Port of Bar seized 4 killed rock partridges and one woodcock on December 20.
"The foreigner was registered as a foreign hunter and paid the membership fee, but the hunting association that received him did not follow the procedure to the end. He had to have in writing where and how much prey he caught," Marković told "Vijesta".
He assessed that the decision of the Ministry is in place, although it is not fair to other hunting societies that take care of game.
"Kamenjarka (partridge) is really a jewel of Montenegro and it should be protected, and I agree that every omission should be punished, including this one," said Marković.
The Center for the Protection and Study of Birds praised Ivanović's decision and the promptness of the customs officer.
"The estimated population of the stone partridge is 1.200 pairs, and due to intensive hunting and poaching, it is on the European IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. Frequent summer fires affect the significant degradation of its habitats in Montenegro. Some hunting societies, such as the Tivat Hunters' Association, have previously recognized the poor state of the population of this species and established a moratorium," the CZIP announced.
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