Calls for a boycott of Cyprus in response to bird trapping are counterproductive according to a veteran of the anti-trapping campaign. Bird trapping in Cyprus is driven by financial gains, with illegal activities involving the ambelopoulia songbird delicacy generating significant profits. Recent relaxations in hunting laws have effectively decriminalized the use of glue-smeared limesticks for trapping, reducing fines and undermining deterrents. BirdLife Cyprus advocates for promoting birdwatching and nature tourism as sustainable economic alternatives to bird trapping. Despite efforts, convincing decision-makers to prioritize nature tourism and clamp down on bird trapping remains challenging. A boycott could harm the tourism industry without effectively addressing the issue of bird trapping. BirdLife Cyprus emphasizes the importance of continued engagement and reporting of trapping activities to authorities. Trapping levels with mist nets have significantly decreased over the past 20 years, but recent increases in trapping and leniency in penalties are concerning. Over 400,000 birds were killed in autumn 2023, highlighting the ongoing threat to migrant birds. Media coverage of the issue has been extensive, potentially influencing policy responses.
