Taking action to secure the future for Wales’ globally important Seabird colonies

Fersiwn Gymraeg am gael yma

The Welsh Government are currently consulting on a Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales. Seabirds are a key indicator of the overall health of marine ecosystems. However, seabird populations globally are declining faster than any other bird group, and sadly, threats to these species are increasing. These threats include climate change impacts, entanglement in fishing gear, disturbance, inappropriate developments, loss of habitat and predators.  

Wales’ offshore islands are globally important for the nesting colonies of several seabird species. Over half of the global population of breeding Manx Shearwater nest in underground burrows on our islands. The fourth largest gannetry in the world can be found on RSPB Grassholm Island, with Wales also being home to the largest Arctic Tern colony in the UK, located on the lower lying Skerries, an islet off the coast of Anglesey.   

A recent review of breeding seabirds, undertaken by the RSPB on behalf of Natural Resources Wales, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the Welsh Ornithological Society, saw Gannets added to the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern Wales (BoCCW) for the first time. While publication of a seabird update to the Birds of Conservation Concern UK report saw five new species of seabird, including Arctic Tern and Great Black-backed Gull, added to the UK Red List.

 For populations to thrive, seabirds need:  

•  Safe places to breed and rear their young.  

•  Plentiful supplies of food to feed themselves and their chicks.  

•  To survive long enough to breed successfully – many seabirds are long-lived species that take time to mature and only lay one or two eggs a year.  

Thanks to our persistence, we now welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to a Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales and are calling for adequate protection, monitoring and management of our seabird colonies, through the development and implementation of a well-resourced and effective Action Plan which includes measures to:   

Protect the most important areas for seabirds on land, e.g. nesting, and at sea, e.g. feeding.   

•  Protect the supplies of prey fish that seabirds depend upon, and ensure fisheries are sustainable – delivering better outcomes for seabirds and people.   

• Protect Welsh seabird islands from invasive predators, like rats, and put plans in place to clear invasive predators from affected islands.   

•  Ensure marine planning and offshore renewable developments deliver positive outcomes and direct funding towards action for climate and nature.  

The public consultation on the Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy is open until the 14th February. Please take action now by signing our e-action calling on the Welsh Government to ensure the Strategy will implement the vital measures needed to safeguard Welsh seabird populations.