Freedom of Information Request - Guga Hunt
Date: 18 August 2025
Our ref: SIR181207/A5332922
Information Request – Guga Hunt
Your Request
...As such I wonder if it would be possible to share with me or put me in contact with the right person to talk about how the licensing decision was made? The statement I read in the BBC article said that the reduced license number was to allow the gannet population to recover. Evidence from elsewhere such as Bass rock is suggesting that gannet colonies are struggling to recover post HPAI so we would like to understand how the decision was made and any evidence it was based on.
Given the situation with HPAI we are reviewing our position on the guga hunt, and it is possible we will switch our position from one of neutrality to one of calling for increased caution when it comes to licensing due to the lasting and current impacts of HPAI.
Our Response
Our Marine Team have completed searches, and we can provide you with the information that meets the terms of your request. The majority of this information is attached separately to this response.
However, there is one document that applies which is already in the public domain from the RSPB, which is the HPAI Seabird Survey Report.
Whilst we always try to provide you with all the information that you have requested, in this case we have had had to redact out some parts of the information being released to you for the following reason(s).
Personal Data – Releasing personal data into the public domain in response to your request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under EIRs Regulation 11(2) (Personal data).
We have redacted out information relating to the timescales of when the proposed Guga hunt is due to take place, and information relating to the proposed vessel. Releasing this information into the public domain in response to this request, risks the individuals involved being identified and could lead to them being targeted and/or harassed and pose a risk to public safety. We are withholding this information under EIRs regulation 10(5(a) (Public Safety).
We have also redacted out a very small amount of information on proposed project costs. Both the proposed project details, including costs, are still being discussed and if released prematurely could lead to advantages to contractors. We do not believe that is in the public interest for NatureScot to damage a competitive tendering process. We are therefore withholding this very small amount of information under EIRs Regulation 10(5)(e) – Confidentiality of commercial or industrial information.
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
