Are red grouse or other gamebirds being released on the Isle of Man?

Summary

The request asked for data on red grouse and gamebird releases on the Isle of Man since 2011, but the authority disclosed only one specific research project from 2014-15 while confirming no other records exist.

Key Facts

• The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture does not hold information on gamebird releases since 2011 except for one specific case.
• A voluntary ban on grouse shooting has been in place on the Isle of Man since 1994.
• Grouse are not artificially reared for release on the island, unlike pheasants and partridges.
• The Department only holds release data if birds are released on an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) or Department land.
• There are no current plans for future red grouse releases.

Data Disclosed

• 2019-08-30
• 2019-09-20
• 2011
• 2014-15
• 12
• 9
• 1994
• 943177

Original Request

Are red grouse, or any other gamebirds, currently being released on the Isle of Man? If so, please provide the numbers of birds released, the source the birds were from and locations where the birds were released since 2011. If red grouse are not currently being released on the Isle of Man, are there plans for this to happen in the future?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 943177 20th September 2019

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on the 30th August 2019 and which states:

"Are red grouse, or any other gamebirds, currently being released on the Isle of Man? If so, please provide the numbers of birds released, the source the birds were from and locations where the birds were released since 2011. If red grouse are not currently being released on the Isle of Man, are there plans for this to happen in the future?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. We do not hold any information about any gamebirds currently (or at any other time since 2011, apart from the case noted below) being released on the Island or on any plans for any future release.

An ASSI (Area of Special Scientific Interest) consent was provided for 2014-15, for Colden, for the release of 12 Red Grouse imported from a UK moor. Nine birds were actually released as part of a research project carried out and funded by a DEFA land tenant. The birds were fitted with radio transmitters in an attempt to track their movements and monitor natural mortality.

Further information Unlike Pheasant and Partridge, Grouse are not artificially reared to be released for shooting. There has been a voluntary ban on Grouse shooting on the Island since 1994 and this was self-imposed by the Departments sporting tenants. This ban remains in place, however a low density population still remains on the DEFA upland estate. The introduction of Grouse is not an offence under the Wildlife Act so the Department would only hold information if they were to be released on an ASSI or on Department land. However, the Department owns the vast majority of suitable grouse habitat on the Island and the privately owned areas of moorland are not large enough to support stand-alone grouse shooting interests. Please quote the reference number 943177 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely