The Moldovan hunters are considered poachers who shoot animals and birds everywhere and are alcoholics, but this is not true. The members of the Association of Hunters and Fishermen of Moldova are thoroughly checked and they do not poach. They actually help to develop the fauna by investing own money in the breeding and release of many animals and birds, the Association’s chairman Oleg Ciocoi stated in the program “Dialogue” on Agro TV Moldova channel, IPN reports.
Oleg Ciocoi refereed to the accusations made by acting Minister of Environment Valeriu Munteanu, who said that the hunters from Moldova, including Oleg Ciocoi, have poached. Ciocoi noted that the Association of Hunters and Fishermen banked on cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, but nobody invited them to discussions. The hunters are for harshly punishing poachers, including by confiscating their arms, car and other possessions.
According to the Association’s head, the legislation should be amended so that the poachers know exactly what is allowed and want is not. “The hunters not only hunt. They also carry out different works. It is our Association that introduced the pheasant as species in Moldova. We already brought hundreds of thousands of pheasants. We are allowed to hunt 15,000 pheasants during a season. This season we hunted only 8,000, while the others are not touched,” he stated.
Ciocoi also said that next year the Association aims to collect about 10 million lei from dues and economic activity. The money is distributed for different activities. For example, 2.5 million lei will go to purchase particular species of animals and birds. A person can become a member of the Association if this is recommended by other members and must possess relevant certificates issued by the psychologist and narcologist. Afterward, the applicants attend training courses and then take an exam, before being accepted as fully-fledged members.
In the meeting of the Association’s National Council on December 3, it was decided to constitute a national commission consisting of officials that will examine the Association’s members.
