Seabird colonies face increasing welfare stress as climate change reduces prey fish availability - monitoring, research, and fisheries management are critical interventions.
Seabird welfare at the colony level is directly linked to ecosystem health. When prey fish are scarce, adult seabirds make repeated unsuccessful foraging trips while chicks experience progressive starvation. This is a major source of wildlife suffering that is both measurable and addressable. Fisheries management that protects key prey fish species and reduces bycatch has clear welfare benefits for seabird populations. Marine protected area advocacy is one of the most impactful wildlife welfare interventions available.