The Welsh Ornithological Society have just published a notice concerning a 'consultation document ' issued by the Welsh Assembly on possible new conservation measures to protect the GWFG in Wales. As you are no doubt aware this is an iconic species for the Dyfi Estuary and the decline in numbers is of great concern. The following is the main notice issued by WOS:-
NEWS - ACT now!
The Welsh Government is consulting on a number of proposals regarding the shooting of Greenland White-fronted Geese in Wales. We urge WOS supporters to respond to the consultation and make your voice heard, as this has been a campaign priority for us over the last two years. We applaud the Welsh Government's decision to revisit its policy, since as recently as October 2015, the Minister for Natural Resources told ushe was not prepared to consider such a move.
We hope to produce a draft response and share it with members early in February, but if you are planning to respond in the meantime, please see our response to an earlierWelsh Government consultation on the shooting of Greenland White-fronted Geese.By way of background, you may also want to read our follow-up comments to the Senedd Petitions Committee consideration of a petition organised by Aaron Davies.
The Government is consulting on five options. WOS will be supporting Option 1, a statutory ban on shooting of all European White-fronted Goose (EWfG) and Greenland White-fronted Goose (GWfG) throughout Wales throughout the year.
The other options proposed provide less protection for GWfGs in Wales, either because they are restricted to only parts of Wales (geese can turn up anywhere, depending on the weather conditions) or because it doesn't include EWfGs, which are almost impossible to distinguish in flight (by good birders as well as experienced shooters). We believe that, since the UK is a signatory to the International Action Plan for Greenland White-fronted Geese, the Welsh Government must take every measure possible to contribute to the species' conservation on their wintering grounds and during migration. Wales is the only range-state for the species that allows the hunting of this rapidly declining species.
The deadline for the consultation is 7 March 2016. Visit the consultation