Wildlife

Northern Gannet Welfare in UK Breeding Colonies

The northern gannet breeds in spectacular cliff-top colonies and dives from height to catch fish, facing welfare pressures from prey depletion and marine plastic entanglement.

Key Facts

UK holds over 60 percent of the world population of northern gannets
Bass Rock in Scotland is the world's largest single gannet colony with over 150,000 birds
Dives from up to 30 metres at 100km/h to catch mackerel and herring
Monofilament and other marine litter is woven into nests causing entanglement of chicks and adults
Sand eel decline from fishing and climate change reduces prey availability

Welfare Considerations

Marine plastic entanglement in nest material causes severe leg and neck injuries in chicks that become trapped as they grow. Prey depletion from sand eel fishing and climate-driven distribution shifts reduces foraging efficiency. Collision with fishing vessel rigging and gear causes injury and mortality. Avian influenza outbreaks have caused catastrophic mortality at some colonies.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB seabird monitoring and colony protection
Donate to Seabird Recovery Projects removing marine litter from nesting sites
Advocate for sand eel fishing reform to protect seabird prey
Reduce marine plastic pollution to protect gannet nesting colonies