Wildlife

Wild Gannet Foraging Distance and Welfare

Gannet foraging distances and prey availability directly determine energy balance and breeding welfare during the nesting season.

Key Facts

Gannets forage up to 500 km from colony in poor prey years
Tracking data shows foraging trip duration increases when prey is scarce
Long foraging trips reduce time spent at the nest increasing chick vulnerability
Competition for prey with commercial fishing reduces availability near colonies
Climate-driven shifts in mackerel and sandeel distribution affect gannet prey fields

Welfare Considerations

Gannets making very long foraging trips in poor prey years have reduced breeding success and elevated parental energy expenditure. Prey depletion through overfishing and climate change increases the welfare cost of each breeding season. Marine protected areas that maintain prey fish populations near major gannet colonies directly protect breeding welfare.

What You Can Do

Support marine protected areas near major gannet colonies
Advocate for sustainable fishing limits that protect forage fish populations
Donate to seabird ecology research tracking gannet welfare indicators