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Gannet Hunt Faces Refusal on Hebridean Isle
29 Jul
Summary
- Officials recommend refusing a license for the annual gannet hunt.
- The traditional hunt dates back to the 15th Century.
- Animal welfare groups and over 104,000 petition signers oppose the hunt.
A traditional hunt of young seabirds on the uninhabited Hebridean island of Sula Sgeir is facing potential refusal for the upcoming summer. For centuries, gannets have been culled for meat during an annual event on the island, located north of Lewis.
NatureScot officials have advised board members to deny this year's hunting license, citing concerns about the gannet population and animal welfare. The governing board is scheduled to meet next week to decide, with options to permit hunts of 2,000 or 500 birds also on the table.
This practice, known as the guga hunt, typically occurs in August. Last year, a license allowed up to 500 birds to be killed, a reduction from 2,000 in prior years to aid population recovery after bird flu outbreaks. A total of 485 birds were taken in the 2025 hunt.
Animal welfare organizations have welcomed the recommendation to refuse the license. Campaigners argue the hunt is no longer essential for food and that tradition should not justify animal suffering. A petition urging the prohibition of the hunt has garnered over 104,000 signatures, and its potential debate by MSPs is under consideration.
