CHICHESTER HARBOUR WILDFOWLING BAN RAISES CONCERNS FOR RURAL TRADE
The decision to end wildfowling at Chichester Harbour in West Sussex and Hampshire has sparked concern not only among conservationists and shooting groups but also among firearms retailers who serve the region’s wildfowling community. With the withdrawal of shooting access at one of southern England’s most historically significant sites, local gun shops and country sports suppliers now face the prospect of declining demand for specialist equipment and seasonal trade.
Members of the Chichester Harbour Conservancy Board (CHCB) voted not to renew a 10-year wildfowling licence and have issued a one-year termination notice, effective from 19 May 2025. The move was confirmed at the CHCB’s annual general meeting at Eames Farm, Thorney Island, following presentations from the Chichester Wildfowlers’ Association and West Sussex Wildlife Protection.
Following the debate, the board stated it found wildfowling to be “incompatible with the organisation’s primary strategic focus on the conservation and restoration of nature.”
Wildfowling has been practised at Chichester Harbour for over 350 years, with the local association formally established in 1956. Its members have long been involved in practical habitat management and responsible shooting.
Mike Swan, senior adviser to the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, said: “This is such sad news; Chichester Wildfowlers have a long and distinguished history of doing great conservation works in and around Chichester Harbour, so practical conservation in the area will undoubtedly suffer. Sadder still they seem to have lost out to campaigning by West Sussex Wildlife Protection, an animal welfare and protection organisation which has no track record in real conservation.”