We Protested Outside NatureScot as their Board Discussed the Guga Hunt

This morning, we were there.

This morning, we were there.

As NatureScot’s Board gathered to discuss the Guga hunt licence application, we were outside their headquarters - with placards, megaphones and Gannet suits, reminding them that they have the power to stop this hunt, and the responsibility to do so.

Yesterday, we asked you to email NatureScot’s Board ahead of the meeting. Thousands of you took the time to make your voices heard - and we wanted to represent them in person. We’re so grateful to the incredible people who showed up to support us today and stand up for Gannets, despite it being so early in the morning on a weekday in the Scottish Highlands!

For too long, decisions about the Guga hunt have been made quietly behind closed doors. It’s about time that changed.

Whether they agreed with us or not, at least they couldn’t ignore us.

But today’s protest wasn’t just about putting pressure on NatureScot. It was also about raising awareness of a hunt that far too few people know still happens.

It’s already generated significant media coverage, and we’re expecting to feature on STV News at Six this evening. Every interview and article is another opportunity to expose the Guga hunt to thousands more people.

What happened at the meeting?

Not much. The Board had set aside 40 minutes to discuss the process for assessing the Guga hunt licence application. In the end, the discussion lasted less than eight minutes, and not a single Board member asked a question.

To be clear, the Board wasn’t deciding whether to grant the licence today. They were being given an overview of the licensing process, the legal framework NatureScot must follow, and an insight into the scientific review that is currently being conducted.

Perhaps they were reluctant to comment while they’re still awaiting the results of that review.

Even so, I’d hoped to hear a little more engagement from the Board. This is, after all, the process that will ultimately determine whether hundreds of baby Gannets get to live or die, and their silence on that is concerning.

What’s next?

NatureScot’s Board will meet again in early August to discuss the results of their new analysis and decide whether or not to grant the licence to kill. We’ll let you know as soon as the results of that review are available and when we have a concrete date for the decision next month.

In the meantime, we’ll be scrutinising every development, continuing to make the case for Gannets, and doing everything we can to ensure NatureScot makes the right decision.

P.S. Some of you reported an “invalid address” error with our email tool. That’s now been fixed, so we’d really appreciate it if you could re-send your email to NatureScot now!

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Adopt a Gannet - Power the fight against the Guga hunt!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already part of the movement to end the Guga hunt. Whether you’ve signed a petition, emailed NatureScot, shared our campaign or joined us at a protest, thank you.

But if we’re going to win, we need the resources to keep fighting. Every investigation, animation, protest, report and media campaign is only possible because people like you chip in a few pounds each month.

If you’re able to, please consider symbolically adopting a Gannet with a monthly donation. As a thank you, we’ll send you one of our limited edition soft Gannet plushies - a reminder of the birds you’re helping to protect, and of the campaign you’re helping power until Britain’s last seabird hunt is finally brought to an end.