asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if white-fronted geese are still a protected species under the Wildlife Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Protection of Wild Birds.
72.
The Greenland white-fronted goose is a protected species under the Wildlife Act, 1976. However, the Act empowers the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry to declare open seasons for the hunting of protected wild birds and this discretion is normally exercised in favour of species traditionally known as "game" or quarry species. The Greenland white-fronted goose falls into that category.
There has been a moratorium on the hunting of the Greenland white-fronted goose for the past three years. During that time some research studies on the species were carried out by the Forest and Wildlife Service of my Department. Based on the results and recommendations of those studies, I decided recently to permit the resumption of limited and strictly controlled hunting of the goose in County Wexford during the period from 16 November 1985 to 4 January 1986. The prohibition on hunting of the goose will continue in all other areas of the country.