Marine Wildlife

Northern Gannet Welfare

Northern gannets are spectacular plunge divers, but face threats from overfishing, plastic entanglement, and climate-driven prey shifts.

Key Facts

Gannets dive from 30m at speeds over 100km/h, withstanding 4g impact
UK hosts 60% of the world gannet population
Bass Rock in Scotland holds around 150,000 gannets - the world's largest colony
Gannets can travel over 200km from the colony to find food
Plastic rope entanglement is increasingly found at gannet nesting sites

Welfare Considerations

Gannets incorporate plastic rope into nests, which entangles and kills chicks and adults. Entangled birds face prolonged suffering before death. Prey depletion means adults work harder to feed chicks, with chick starvation in poor years. Botulism outbreaks periodically kill large numbers in colonies. Oil spills cause feather fouling and hypothermia. Impacts of offshore wind development on foraging are being studied.

What You Can Do

Properly dispose of synthetic ropes and fishing gear
Support responsible offshore wind siting to minimise bird collision risk
Back policies protecting mackerel and herring - key gannet prey
Visit seabird colonies only via guided tours
Support RSPB seabird colony monitoring programs