Wild Gannet Colony Breeding Welfare

Gannet colonies are spectacular but crowded environments - individual welfare within colonies reflects population health.

Key Facts

The UK holds approximately 60% of the world's northern gannet population
Bass Rock in Scotland holds the world's largest single gannet colony with over 75,000 pairs
Gannets breed in densely packed colonies where neighbour disputes are constant
Plastic ingestion and entanglement in fishing line cause significant welfare harm to adults and chicks
Gannets have experienced severe mortality from H5N1 HPAI since 2021
Gannet populations were recovering strongly from 19th century persecution before HPAI impacts

Welfare Considerations

Gannet welfare in colonies is shaped by food availability, disease pressure, and fishing line entanglement. Plastic and discarded fishing line brought to nests as nesting material entangles and kills both adults and chicks. Reducing marine plastic and fishing gear litter is the most direct welfare intervention for colonial seabirds.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Wildlife Trust gannet colony monitoring programmes
Participate in beach cleans to reduce marine plastic entering gannet habitat
Report entangled gannets to BDMLR or RSPCA for rescue
Advocate for biodegradable fishing line and reduction of lost fishing gear at sea
Support Gannets First and seabird conservation charities monitoring HPAI impacts