The UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), has welcomed the Welsh Natural Resources’ Minister, Alun Davies’ decision to continue a voluntary moratorium on the shooting of Greenland white-fronted geese rather than removing them from the quarry list. BASC had made strong representations that stakeholder’s engagement is key to protecting Greenland white-fronted geese
BASC will continue to support a voluntary moratorium on shooting Greenland white-fronted geese in Wales by working closely with the Welsh Government, the agencies and other relevant organisations, focusing efforts on the bird’s last remaining wintering grounds on the Dyfi estuary.
BASC’s policy development manager Conor O’Gorman said “The Minister has made a wise decision. For forty years wildfowling clubs on the Dyfi estuary have been protecting the main over-wintering population of Greenland white-fronted geese in Wales with an effective moratorium on shooting rather than statutory regulation. We support the Welsh Government’s decision to allow these efforts to continue. Habitat improvements on the Dyfi will help ensure that the birds start their long journey back to Greenland in peak condition.”
On the Dyfi estuary BASC looks forward to working with the Dyfi Wildfowl Management Advisory Panel, Natural Resources Wales and other relevant organisations to strengthen and extend a management plan to bring about the necessary habitat management to benefit the geese that visit the Dyfi each winter.