Not necessarily. The decision doesn't actually BAN spring hunting in Malta.
Haven't read the whole thing but the EU press release says "the judgment clarifies that spring hunting may only be permitted under certain strict conditions strictly proportionate with the aim of conserving bird species" and that Malta's extended hunting of Quails and Turtles Doves in spring was not proportionate with that aim. Wait and see.
The ECJ has confirmed that from data provided from the Maltese Government, Autumn is not an alternative to spring hunting. This puts the commission on a delicate balance and may give Malta the right to derogate, which in turn may spell bad news, that other EU states may also try to derogate for spring hunting. Its now become a question of interpretation of this last ECJ judgement.
However, on the positive, the ECJ did side with the commission that for the years 2004 to 2007, Malta broke EU Law. Now it remains to be seen in the coming years how this will evolve.
Most of the Maltese hunters seem to think that this is one court case of win all or lose all, which will determine spring hunting for all the years to come.
Happily this should not be the case as the commission will be monitoring Malta, year on year, as it should be doing with other EU states (if any) who ask for derogations, taking in consideration the IUCN Red list, the hunters' carnet de chasse and other figures, making the whole process difficult to comply with.
In the case of Maltese hunting, at least, even if there is spring hunting, there will be big brother monitoring, which is way better than it was just a few years ago when there was no control whatsoever.