Alasdair Allan MSP has welcomed a new three-year pilot project to manage the greylag goose population in Lewis and Harris, which has been launched this week by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The initiative sees funding of a co-ordinated shooting effort to allow islanders to sustainably control geese numbers.
Alasdair Allan commented: “Since 2010 the population of Greylag Geese in Lewis and Harris has increased by a massive 45%. As every crofter will know these numbers make crofting close to impossible in some areas and present a risk not just to crofting, but to the wider environment and habitats for other species.
“I hope that this is the beginning of some progress on this long running problem as the islands simply cannot cope with this hugely increasing number of Greylag Geese. Many crofters and others in the Western Isles are only too familiar with the difficulties caused by the expanding numbers of greylag geese. Unfortunately, so far, less drastic measures have so far failed to have the desired impact.
“In many areas, the consequent decline of crofting actually destroys the habitats in which many of our rarest bird and other species live. This creates a common interest between many crofters and conservationists in seeing this problem addressed.”
Lots to say about geese – nothing to say about the ferries fiasco. Gobble, gobble, gobble..
At last,common sense from public bodies,now if only this could spread to every other institution on the islands ,that Would,be progress
Been on the new ferry today in stiff weather,whatever the past,it has to be said its comfortable inside and sails a whole lot better than the isle of lewis.A great step forward for the island,and a minch crossing holds a whole lot less fear for some,so Donald,maybe it should only be one gobble,not three or more