People behind AEWA - Cy Griffin

Bonn, 30 June 2015 - Cy Griffin is Director of Conservation of the European Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) where he is responsible for work related to nature and wildlife conservation.  He represents FACE on the AEWA Technical Committee and also brings the hunters’ perspective to the AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose International Species Working Group. Coupled with his quiet, serious and cautious yet firm approach, Cy’s deep understanding of the interconnection between hunting, sustainable use and conservation means that his contributions to the work of the Agreement are invaluable. 

Cy says “AEWA was created by a group of visionary people who have inspired others to develop a hard working agreement, which each year gets closer to engaging all Range States throughout the flyway. As the issue of hunting is a key part of the AEWA Action Plan, FACE has been actively engaging in the implementation of the Agreement over the years. Partly due to the proactive approach towards sustainable use, it has always been one dossier which staff from the FACE secretariat have been keen to get involved with. Personally I find the Agreement inspiring - not because it brings together like-minded people, but because it brings together people with a shared passion. One of the best memories is meeting someone at a field trip who introduced himself by remarking that my country had just invaded his country “but here we are, sharing bread”. The fact that people are willing to travel long distances in difficult conditions, to meet people with sometimes opposing views goes to show the importance that migratory birds have for many people.”  

It was difficult for Cy to choose a favourite AEWA species – he could think of some that had given him headaches in the context of the Agreement though! A favourite spectacle however is listening to the ‘drumming’ of Common Snipe in remote parts of north-west Scotland. Or the Jack Snipe – it holds a certain fascination even though Cy has only caught fleeting glimpses.

Last updated on 30 June 2015