Freedom of Information Request - Guga Hunt Licence
Date: 29 August 2025
Our ref: SIR181183/A5357657
Information Request – Guga Hunt Licence
Your Request
- Could you confirm what the gannet population of Sula Sgeir is and what its population has been over time?
- Can you confirm the hunt methodology and method for killing the young gannets?
- Can you confirm where and how the guga are consumed and by whom and what context?
Our Response
We have responded to each part of your request separately as follows:
- Could you confirm what the gannet population of Sula Sgeir is and what its population has been over time?
Table 1 - Summary of Sula Sgeir gannet population from citation to present day
| Year | SPA citation -2001 | 2004 | 2013 | 2017* | 2023* | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOS | 10,400 | 9,230 | 11,230 | 12,271 | 9,495 | 10,200 |
*Additional surveys that were carried out using non-standardised methodology.
Please note that the decline from 12,271 in 2017 to 9,495 in 2023 will be the result of mortality in relation to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in 2022. There was no harvest of gannet chicks at Sula Sgeir in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
You may also find the British Trust for Ornithology Sea Bird Monitoring Database useful. However, the 2024 count numbers may not have been uploaded at the time of this response.
- Can you confirm the hunt methodology and method for killing the young gannets?
We do not hold information relating to the methodology of the hunt or the killing of the young gannets. I therefore need to explain that this means that EIRs Regulation 10(4)(a) (Information not held) applies to this part of your request.
However, these birds are being taken for human consumption and those responsible will be required to follow all consumer and animal welfare laws.
- Can you confirm where and how the guga are consumed and by whom and what context?
We do not hold any information about this, therefore EIRs Regulation 10(4)(a) (Information not held) also applies to this part of your request.
As noted under part 2 of your request, these birds are being taken for human consumption so they will need to follow all consumer laws.
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
