Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to revoke the licence permitting the annual killing of 500 full grown gannets chicks (guga) on Sula Sgeir. 

This is urgent, the hunt is due to take place for the first time since 2021 for 2 weeks in August 2025.

There must be an urgent review of the exception granted under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Since 2022, UK gannets have suffered a devastating 30-60% population decline due to avian flu.

This outdated hunt must be ended to protect a critically endangered UK seabird.

Sula Sgeir, an uninhabited island haven, 40 miles north of Ness, Isle of Lewis, with a gannet colony of 11,000 breeding pairs.

The 2025 hunt permits killing 500 guga - full grown chicks. Killing them before they're able to take their first flight.

Gannets have seen catastrophic declines since 2022 due to avian flu, with UK colonies losing 30–60% of their population.

Gannets don’t breed until 4 - 7 years old. Only 30% of fledged gannets survive to breeding age, every surviving juvenile is critically important.

All Scottish colonies are interconnected, this hunt will impact all colonies.

Gannets already face numerous human-caused threats:
* plastic entanglement
* ocean pollution
* over-fishing
* bycatch
* collisions with wind farms
* disruption of food due to warming oceans because of the climate crisis

We are not living in the 1500s. In an age of climate emergency and visible ecological collapse, tradition cannot be used as a shield for harm. We must end practices that threaten the very survival of our planet.

BAN THE GUGA HUNT!

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On a personal level, gannets are my favourite bird. I have visited many of the UK gannet colonies. They are top predators and vital to cycle nutrients round the ecosystem. Monogomous birds that live up to 30 years and dive for their fish at speeds of 62mph, they are utterly magnificent.

My work as a visual storyteller is in dedication to amplifying nature's messages that rewild our connection to nature, reminding us we are part of nature too. 

In 2024, I shot a harrowing scene of a gannet hanging dead below its nest, entangled on ocean plastic. I was deeply moved by the plight of this gannet and vowed to share its story so it didn't die in vain. The image I took gained 2nd place in Ocean Photographer of the Year impact category. 

This gannet's story has gone on to be shared in my current solo exhibition at Scotney Castle National Trust. My favourite bird & I do what I can to protect them.

I was unaware this licence and 'tradition' existed until now, and I’m taking immediate action through this petition to call for it to be revoked and outright banned.