Approximately 84 people live on St Agnes and Gugh, making this project the largest community-based island restoration project in the world to date (October 2017). The residents of St Agnes and Gugh provided 100% support for the project, and many are actively involved. The residents, farms and businesses of the islands stepped up to make the islands 'rat removal ready' by autumn 2013, assisted in the removal operation and are part of the ongoing monitoring and biosecurity measures to keep the islands 'rat-free' as seabird heritage volunteers.
A View From a Local Business at the Start of the Project
The project will have huge benefits for the islands of St Agnes and Gugh. We value our seabirds greatly, I provide tours to the Western rocks for visitors to see our seabirds so this project will ensure colonies of seabirds for future generations.
John Peacock, St Agnes Boating
www.stagnesboating.co.uk/
A View from a Local Farmer at the Start of the Project
At Troytown farm we run a diary, icecream business and a campsite. Our campers come here to enjoy the natural environment and the seabirds, particuarly the Manx shearwaters which call at night from Annet. The rats have been destructive over the years, so the project will certainly benefit all our operations here and we know our campers will enjoy the island being 'rat-free'.
Sam Hicks, Troytown Farm
www.troytown.co.uk/