Freedom of Information Request - Greenland white-fronted goose - ‘Specially protected’
Date: 23 October 2024
Our ref: SIR177335/A4786411
Information Request – Greenland white-fronted goose - ‘Specially protected’
Your Request
Original request
What exactly does ‘specially protected’ mean in legal terms in relation to Greenland whitefronted geese?
Please cite any/all instances where SNH/ NatureScot has implemented pro-active ‘special protection’ measures for this taxon in Scotland and the outcomes of such measures.
Revised request
...so my modified questions are:
1. What special measures are conferred on 'priority species' which wouldn't otherwise be applied in conservation management terms.
2. Can you please cite any/all examples of actions which NatureScot has implemented because of Greenland white-front's 'priority species' status?
3. What were the outcomes of any pro-active measures for this 'priority species' ?
viz. Scottish Natural Heritage Research Report No. 912 Conservation management of Greenland white-fronted geese Anser albifrons flavirostris on Islay, Scotland
The outcome from this is, we now know conclusively that Greenland white-fronted geese fly at night and between roosts and feeding sites and in all weathers - in case we didn't already know.
Other examples may include any feeding / roosting sites that have been pro-actively protected without some imminent threat to those sites - for instance.
Our Response
Greenland white-fronted geese are protected under various pieces of legislation relating to birds.
Greenland white-fronted geese are fully protected as a result of their listing under:
• Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (White-fronted goose was listed under Schedule 2 (birds which may be killed or taken outside the closed season), but not Greenland white-fronted goose so this is not relevant)
• Birds Directive – Annex 1
• Bern Convention - Appendix III
• Bonn Convention - Appendix II
• Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) - Column
A, category 2*
A summary of these is given on our website (some underpin others).
Alongside legislation, there are a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated to protect roosting and feeding areas of Greenland whitefronted geese. A list of these is attached separately. Any plan or project affecting an SPA is subject to a Habitats Regulations Appraisal which would assess potential impacts to the Greenland white-fronted goose feature.
There are also management schemes in place on Islay and Kintyre, which aim to provide undisturbed feeding areas for the species on many areas of farmland on which they feed. Information on these schemes is available on our website. The pages include information about actions taken:
Other published resources related to white-fronted geese which may be of interest are listed below:
• The Species Action Framework (2016) - which includes a chapter on the Greenland white-fronted goose.
• The International Single Species Action Plan (ISSAP). The small sites project was completed and is available under ‘GB Site Inventory’.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
