NatureScot recommends rejecting guga hunt licence
Conservation concerns cited for proposed rejection of traditional gannet hunt on Sula Sgeir.
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NatureScot has advised against granting a licence for the 2026 guga hunt on the remote island of Sula Sgeir. The recommendation, based on conservation grounds, aims to allow the gannet population to recover, particularly following concerns over bird flu. The hunt involves taking young gannets, known as guga, from cliffs using poles and nooses.
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Animal welfare organisations have welcomed NatureScot's recommendation but are urging the Scottish Government to implement a permanent ban. They argue that the hunt, which has been an annual tradition for centuries, should not continue in light of modern understanding of animal welfare. Jason Rose, chief executive of OneKind, stated that "no animal should ever have to suffer in the name of human tradition."
Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland and Northern Ireland, echoed this sentiment, saying, "This hunt belongs to another century. Understanding of animal welfare has changed and no animal should die like this for food in Scotland in the 21st century."
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The guga hunt operates under a legal exemption within Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which permits gannets to be taken from Sula Sgeir for human consumption due to historical tradition. Last year, under a licence issued by NatureScot, 485 gannets were culled.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government stated that while gannets are protected, the current licensing system allows NatureScot to consider applications against conservation and animal welfare criteria. The government has "no current plans to ban this activity," according to the spokesperson.
Campaigners have highlighted that NatureScot's decision was based on conservation, meaning the hunt could potentially be licensed again in future years once the population recovers. They are calling for the removal of the legal loophole that allows the hunt to continue.
Questions this report answers
+Why is NatureScot recommending rejecting the guga hunt licence?
NatureScot is recommending rejection on conservation grounds to allow the gannet population to recover, particularly after concerns over bird flu. This follows their assessment that the hunt poses risks to the species' long-term survival.
+What happens if the licence is rejected for 2026?
If the licence is rejected for 2026, no young gannets will be taken from Sula Sgeir that year. This would mark the first time in decades the hunt does not go ahead, though it could be reconsidered in future years once populations recover.
+Who is pushing for a permanent ban on the guga hunt?
Animal welfare charities, including OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, are calling for a permanent ban. They argue the hunt is outdated and incompatible with modern animal welfare standards.
+Does the Scottish Government plan to ban the guga hunt?
No, the Scottish Government has stated it has no current plans to ban the activity. The hunt remains legal under a historical exemption, though licences must still meet conservation and welfare criteria.
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