Supporting Protected Seabird Populations

Descriptions

Background Approaches to offsetting anthropogenic impacts to seabird populations remain largely novel and untested. Offsetting may focus, for example, on improving conditions at breeding sites, by removing invasive species or creating new colonies (Furness et al. 2013). Another option, to be explored in this project, is to increase food availability to improve reproductive success or survival. In order to make evidence-based decisions about the technical feasibility, likely effectiveness and ecological consequences of such measures, it is important to consider the practicalities, how to monitor any effects, the likelihood of success and wider ecological considerations relevant to such a potential project. Aim: Explore relevant questions relating to the beneficial use of otherwise discarded fish offal as a food source for breeding UK seabirds, to inform evidence-based decision-making about the technical feasibility, likely effectiveness, and ecological consequences of such a potential practice.