In Scotland, for the first time in 400 years, the conservation body NatureScot has refused to grant a licence for the traditional hunt of seabirds on the uninhabited island of Sula Sgeir. The decision was made after a new scientific assessment of the impact of the harvest on the northern gannet population.
The Men of Ness community hunt lasts about ten days, during which up to 2,000 chicks are taken. The birds are butchered, salted and eaten in the Western Isles. The tradition is considered part of local cultural heritage and is linked to the Viking era.
The updated population model showed that a negative effect is possible even with a smaller harvest. For that reason, the licence for the 2026 season was not issued.
This year, scientific data outweighed centuries of tradition for the first time. The ban is not final, but the current decision could set a precedent for reviewing other historical practices that threaten the recovery of vulnerable species.
