Here is an update from the Scottish Association for Country Sports (SACS) regarding wildfowling at Caerlaverock:
CAERLAVEROCK WILDFOWLING UPDATE
SACS is aware of proposed short-term restrictions on wildfowling at the SNH-operated Caerlaverock Nature Reserve and have discussed this matter at length with SNH.
Unlike the Findhorn Bay issue, this is more complex than simply anti-shooting momentum to ban wildfowling; it is about lack of resources to fund wildfowling wardens to operate the existing permit scheme. The brutal reality is that a reduced public sector budget affects all public agencies, including SNH. There is little left on the money tree to shake and many competing demands, from roads to schools and care for the elderly.
To add to the public funding challenge, Caerlaverock Estate is unable to continue to provide its own wildfowling warden to support SNH wardens, which is disappointing given the long history and legacy of wildfowling on the estate, which has done and continues to do so much for environmental conservation and enhancement in the area.
Matters have now come to a head. The email from SNH to wildfowlers makes it clear that, whilst total suspension of wildfowling was one unhappy option, their preferred route is an amended and reduced wildfowling scheme just to ‘get by’ for a year or two, prior to a scheduled full review of the byelaw and wildfowling at Caerlaverock. However, a reduced scheme will still need extra resources, whether voluntary or SNH-funded staff. Without those resources a total suspension is still possible due to the byelaw issue described below.
As some will be aware, there has been local discussion about trying to find a way forward with voluntary wardens, but liability, risk and employment issues have been identified and remain unresolved, which was also a problem we faced at Findhorn. Meantime, local SNH staff have requested more support from head office for Caerlaverock wardening and SACS will be writing to SNH executives to support that request.
An SNH-led meeting is planned later this month to discuss the Caerlaverock wardening issue in detail. SACS will be attending on behalf of its members, together with BASC and local club representatives. This is not about politics or organisational agendas; this is purely about working together to find a genuine way forward. At that meeting we will also raise the matter of a ban on duck shooting due to alleged low numbers, which we regard as a separate issue to the wardening difficulty. Any species-based shooting ban or short-term suspension should be founded on clear evidence. Voluntary restraint should always be the first option.
Meantime, SNH has made it clear that it is not looking to ban wildfowling altogether at Caerlaverock; they are trying to find sufficient resources for effective wardening. This should not be turned into a bigger political issue and care should be taken when commenting on social media; conflict and harsh words will not help.
Please bear in mind that a byelaw, such as the one at Caerlaverock, effectively bans wildfowling; wildfowling is then permitted on agreed terms via permits that can be applied for. Clearly such a system requires on-the-ground oversight via wardens, otherwise wildfowling risks being not permitted at all. In an ideal world, wardens would not be necessary, but in the real world that position is unlikely to be supported by all interests.
Any questions or suggestions, please get in touch.
Yours in graft,
Alex Stoddart
The statement can be found online here:
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