Freedom of Information Request - Licence 2025-2028 - Gannets Sula Sgeir
Date: 07 August 2025
Our ref: SIR181131/A5289585
Information Request – Licence 2025-2028 - Gannets Sula Sgeir
Your Request
I am seeking a copy of the current Individual or Specific Licence recently granted under S.16 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) for the killing/taking etc. of 500 gannets from Sula Sgeir for this, and any subsequent years, the Licence may cover.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Licensing Team, and a copy of the licence is attached.
We have redacted out personal information within the licence, because releasing information in response to an information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We have applied the exemption 11(2) (Personal Data) to this data.
We have also redacted out information relating to the period of the licence, although we have provided the year. We have redacted this information out, because releasing the dates of the hunt could lead to those taking part being harassed and/or targeted and could increase the risk to their safety. We are withholding the information on the dates that the hunt will take place under the EIRs exemption 10(5)(a) (Public Safety).
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
