Northern Gannet Welfare at Breeding Colonies

The remarkable biology and welfare challenges of northern gannets, one of the North Atlantic's most spectacular seabirds.

Key Facts

The UK hosts 60% of the world's northern gannets with 220,000+ pairs
Gannets dive at 100 km/h and plunge to depths of 11 metres for fish
Bass Rock in Scotland holds the world's largest mainland colony with 150,000 birds
Plastic entanglement causes slow strangulation deaths at many gannet colonies
Climate-driven fish scarcity increasingly causes breeding failure at established colonies

Welfare Considerations

Gannet welfare at breeding colonies involves both remarkable natural behaviors and anthropogenic harms. Plastic rope and fishing line incorporated into nests entangles and slowly strangles adults and chicks - colonies can be surveyed with binoculars to identify entangled individuals in distress. Fish scarcity from climate change and overfishing reduces prey availability, causing chick starvation when parents cannot find sufficient food. Avian influenza has devastated several European gannet colonies with mass mortality events. Despite these challenges, established colonies represent some of the most spectacular concentrations of wildlife in Europe.

What You Can Do

Never discard fishing line or plastic rope near coastal environments
Support gannet monitoring programs that identify and rescue entangled individuals
Advocate for marine protected areas near gannet foraging zones
Support climate action and sustainable fisheries as long-term gannet welfare strategies
Visit gannet colonies via responsible wildlife tourism operators