Wildlife

Seabird Colony Welfare and Conservation

Seabird colonies are among the most spectacular wildlife aggregations in the UK, but multiple pressures including climate change, overfishing, and invasive predators threaten their welfare.

Key Facts

The UK holds internationally important populations of gannets, puffins, and auks
Breeding colony success depends entirely on fish availability close to the colony
Sandeel and other small fish declines drive seabird breeding failure and starvation
Invasive rats and mink at island colonies cause catastrophic breeding failure
Gannets suffer chronic plastic entanglement at nest sites using plastic debris

Welfare Considerations

Seabird chicks that starve due to fish scarcity suffer prolonged hunger before death. Adults that fail to find food waste significant energy and condition. Predator removal from seabird islands dramatically improves breeding success and reduces chick mortality. Addressing the root causes of fish scarcity through sustainable fishing management protects seabird welfare at population scale.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and seabird island predator control programmes
Advocate for sandeel and small pelagic fish protection in UK waters
Reduce single-use plastic use to decrease entanglement material at colonies
Donate to seabird monitoring and restoration programmes
Choose MSC-certified fish to support sustainable fisheries management