Demand to stop guga hunt 8/8/11
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is to examine if the annual Niseach guga hunt should be axed as part of a wider review.
Every August a group of men from Ness in Lewis carry out the cull 40 miles west of the Butt of Lewis. It is the last remaining wild bird hunt of its kind in the UK and the meat is considered a delicacy in Ness.
The young seabird is more commonly called solan goose or gannet and an unique legal licence is required to harvest 2000 of them from the remote Sula Sgeir rock in the Atlantic Ocean.
SNH is reviewing the special dispensation as part of a wider assessment of their licensing practises.
The Scottish SPCA is demanding the “cruel” hunt be axed saying “brutalising animals in this way under the guise of tradition has no place in modern society.”
SSPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: "These birds are killed by being struck on the head with a heavy implement. This is an abhorrent method of slaughter which should be banned.”
He called on SNH to monitor the Niseachs this year as: “We are concerned that many of these birds will not be killed by a single blow.
"Causing any of these birds unnecessary suffering would be an offence and as such we would expect future licences to be denied.
We reject arguments that guga hunting should be granted special dispensation on the grounds of tradition.
But isles MSP Alasdair Allan is urging SNH to allow the harvesting to continue.
Mr Allan said: “I believe that SNH’s initial assessment is right, which is that the hunt in its current form is sustainable. I have written to them urging them to stick to that position and to allow the guga hunt to continue into the future.
“I respect the fact that there are many others who disagree with me but I am satisfied that the hunt presents no threat to the future of the species and it is currently licenced to include a condition that the birds are quickly and humanely dispatched.”
He added: “I am confident that SNH will accept the strength of these arguments and ensure this distinctive aspect of the life of the people of Ness will continue.”