Since 1986, 25 species of seabird that breed at colonies in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have been monitored annually by the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP). This work is co-ordinated by JNCC, in partnership with 18 other organisations and hundreds of volunteers.
A significant proportion of the world population of several seabird species occur in the UK. These include Manx shearwater (80% of world population), northern gannet (56%), European shag (34%), great skua (60%), lesser black-backed gull (38%) and razorbill (20%).
Presenting breeding abundance and productivity trends aids in the fulfilment of the UK legal obligation to safeguard seabird populations. Seabirds play an important part in UK recreation and culture and can provide cost-effective indicators of marine environmental change.
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2018 Report presents the latest trends in breeding seabird numbers and productivity, along with information on survival rates and diet. Information on the likely causes of change are also provided and are based on recent research.
Read the report here
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Posted On: 11/03/2020