The iconic image of seagulls swooping in for a taste of seaside treats may soon be a thing of the past. Five seabird species, including the common gull, have been added to the UK’s ‘red list’ of threatened species, highlighting the growing dangers they face. This brings the total number of threatened seabird species in Britain to nearly a third, a stark reminder of the challenges facing our marine environment.
The new additions to the red list, announced in the British Birds journal, include the Arctic tern, Leach’s storm-petrel, great black-backed gull, and great skua. These species, along with other seabirds like gannets and puffins, are facing a perfect storm of threats.
Climate change, with its rising ocean temperatures and shifting weather patterns, is disrupting their food sources. Overfishing and bycatch, where unwanted fish are accidentally caught in commercial nets, further deplete their prey. Seabirds are also vulnerable to diseases, invasive species, and habitat loss.
The latest outbreak of avian influenza has had a particularly severe impact on the great skua, a species already in decline. The study points to the need for urgent action, especially in tackling overfishing and bycatch. Expanding marine protected areas and restricting destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling and cast nets are crucial steps in safeguarding seabird populations.
There is some good news, however. Shags have been moved from the red list to the amber list, indicating a slight improvement in their status, while black guillemots have moved from amber to green, suggesting a positive trend in their recovery.
The red list serves as a vital tool for conservation efforts, prompting action groups and governments to prioritize their resources and evaluate the effectiveness of their conservation measures. The future of these iconic seabirds hangs in the balance, and swift and decisive action is needed to protect them from further decline.
