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Falklands Conservation |
Seabirds Survey Report
A Report covering the first 12 months survey work by the South West Atlantic Seabirds at Sea Team has just been published. Since February, the Team from the UK Joint Nature Conservation Committee, under contract to Falklands Conservation, has travelled over 50,000 kilemetres in the waters around the Falkland Islands. It has collected more than 100,000 records of more than a quarter of a million seabirds of 57 species and over 4,000 records of marine mammals of 17 species. The Team of three intrepid surveyors, who have been observing at sea in 11 months and weathers of the year, have mapped the dispersion patterns of all seabird and mammal species in the waters of the Falklands for the first time.
A sound knowledge of the at-sea dispersion pattern of Rockhopper penguins and other seabirds and marine mammals is a vital part of the information required to ensure that marine life in the waters of the Falkland Islands is adequately protected. Together with the Falkland Islands Seabird Monitoring Programmes and satellite tracking work the full database will form the basis of conservation advice aimed at minimising the impact of human activities, such as fishing and hydrocarbon exploration. The results can also be incorporated into oil spill response plans enabling an informed reaction and an appropriate use of resources to deal with any threat posed to seabirds by surface pollution.
The Report is available for £15 from our Online Shop
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Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative |