Does the RSPB have the power to stop the killing of gannets as described in this article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14561486?
No Albert, the RSPB isn't a law enforcement agency, though can and does investigate wildlife crime. In any case, the annual "Guga" hunt in the article is legal.
Although I don't approve of it I'd also argue that it's far more defensible on sustainability grounds than the equally legal industrial scale game shooting we see in mainland UK.
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
The RSPB is currently neutral on the issue of the guga hunt. But this policy is likely to be maintained only if the evidence persists that the hunt has no negative impact on the conservation status of gannets. The British and Irish breeding gannet population has undergone a major increase – approximately 500% - over the past 5 decades. Therefore, there appear to be insufficient conservation grounds to call for a change in the law in relation to this hunt at present. Without such evidence, the Scottish authorities are unlikely to re-consider the annual issue of the licence that allows the hunt to take place.
The UK gannet population continues to increase, albeit more slowly than before. It appears that gannets are not currently being affected by the food shortages that have reduced breeding performance in other seabirds in recent years. Their very large foraging range and ability to take large pelagic fish enhances their ability to cope with shortages in other fish species (eg sandeels).
The RSPB successfully pressed the Scottish Government to instigate closer monitoring of the number of gannets taken each year to ensure that the licence terms and conditions are adhered to.
We assess the conservation status of gannets on an ongoing basis. If future counts confirm a decline on Sula Sgeir, we will reconsider our position.