Spain introduction: BirdLife International: Seabird bycatch

15 of 22 species now globally threatened

BirdLife International: Seabird bycatch

Image: Guy ShorrockMarguerite Tarzia, BirdLife Europe

The Status of Seabirds is Deteriorating

• 359 seabird species• 104 are globally threatened

(28%)• Population declines• 17 species critically endangered• Seabirds most threatened

group of birds

Image: Pep Arcos

Threats At-Sea and On-Land

Global estimate: ~300,000 seabirds,

including up to 100,000 albatrosses

killed annually in longline and trawl fleets

• Long-lived

• Delayed sexual maturity

• Slow breeding

• Small populations

• 15 of 22 species globally threatened

• 3 critically endangered

Albatross life history

BirdLife Marine Programme

•Many species are highly migratory

•Many threats occur at sea & on high seas

•Need a global approach to try to reverse seabird declines

• BirdLife working to identify and tackle threats to seabirds

• Collaborative approach with fishing industry

Questions?