Atlantic Puffin Climate Change Welfare

Atlantic puffins face significant welfare challenges from climate-driven changes to their marine prey base.

Key Facts

Puffins are colonial seabirds breeding around UK coasts including Skomer, the Farne Islands and Handa
Climate change is shifting sand eel distribution northward, reducing availability near traditional breeding colonies
Poor food availability causes chick starvation and reduced adult body condition during breeding
UK puffin populations showed a 30% decline between 2000 and 2020 at some colonies
Marine protected areas and fishing restrictions on sand eels are key conservation interventions

Welfare Considerations

Puffin chicks facing sand eel shortages die slowly from starvation in the nest burrow. Adults that cannot find food near colonies must travel increasingly long distances, increasing energetic costs and time away from the chick. Climate change is creating structural prey mismatches that cannot be addressed by local conservation action alone.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Wildlife Trusts managing puffin colonies and monitoring breeding success
Advocate for restrictions on industrial sand eel fishing in UK waters
Donate to seabird conservation research at RSPB and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Reduce your carbon footprint to address the root cause of marine prey distribution change