Scotland's Last Gannet Hunt Banned Amid Ethical Debate

A centuries-old tradition in the Hebrides, the guga hunt, has been halted for this year as NatureScot has refused to grant a license. The hunt, which involves the harvesting of young gannets, known as guga, takes place annually on the remote island of Sula Sgeir, located 40 miles north of Lewis.

Historically, the hunt was crucial for the survival of the Ness community due to the challenging land and sea conditions. Islanders, known as the Men of Ness, would traditionally spend about ten days in August gathering the chicks. While other parts of Scotland once held similar seabird hunts, Sula Sgeir's is believed to be the last remaining.

Animal welfare groups have lauded NatureScot's decision, calling it a victory for compassion and evidence-based conservation. They argue the hunt is no longer necessary for sustenance and condemn the traditional methods of killing the chicks. Conversely, supporters of the hunt emphasize its cultural significance, viewing it as vital for maintaining community identity and ancient customs.

Concerns over the gannet population's health and impact assessments led to the license refusal. This decision follows similar non-issuance of licenses in 2022, 2023, and 2024 due to bird flu worries. The proposed harvest for this year was significantly lower than the 2,000 birds initially sought, with hunters requesting a license for 500 birds.