League Against Cruel Sports response to the decision to block the guga hunt
Posted 29th July 2026
The League Against Cruel Sports has commented on the decision by the Scottish Government to block the guga hunt on the remote island of Sula Sgeir.
Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “This is great news for the gannets of Sula Sgeir and we welcome NatureScot's recommendation not to licence the hunt this year. But it’s a stay of execution, not a reprieve.
“The decision has been made on conservation grounds which means that once the population recovers, there’s every likelihood that the killing starts again.
“We’re calling on the Scottish Government to close the loophole that lets up to 2,000 young birds on this tiny island be killed.
“This hunt belongs to another century. Understanding of animal welfare has changed and no animal should die like this for food in Scotland in the 21st century.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Link to board paper: https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2026-07/board-of-naturescot-meeting-exceptional-board-meeting-03-august-2026-determination-of-guga-licence.pdf
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The remote island of Sula Sgeir where the guga hunt takes place. Photo credit: Dan Brown