Species Action Plans for the conservation of seabirds in the Mediterranean Sea: Audouin's gull, Balearic shearwater and Mediterranean shag

Abstract

SUMMARY: BirdLife International has so far developed Action Plans for 37 bird species. The plans, although not legally binding, have been approved by the Ornis Committee (EU DG Environment) and most of them have also been endorsed by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention. Three of the species covered by the SAPs are Mediterranean seabirds: Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii), Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) and Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii). The documents, which have been produced through a participatory process involving tens of experts across the range of the taxa, provide information on the biology, ecology and threats, but the most important feature is the list of specific objectives and actions which are ranked according to their priority and urgency. Alongside actions addressing species-specific conservation needs, such as site protection and management, a number of activities aimed at the conservation of these species are common and refer to wide policies such as land-use planning, fishery, tourist development and pollution control. The documents represent the most up-to-date and scientifically-based source of information for planning and implementing conservation activities across the Mediterranean, to be implemented by both governmental and non governmental organisations. -BirdLife International ha desarrollado hasta la fecha planes de acción para 37 especies de aves. Los planes, aunque no son vinculantes, han sido aprobados por el comité Ornis de la Unión Europea y la mayor parte de ellos ha sido ratificados por el comité permanente de la convención de Berna. Tres de las especies que cuentan con planes de acción son aves marinas: la gaviota de Audouin (Larus audouinii), la pardela balear (Puffinus mauretanicus) y el cormorán moñudo del Mediterráneo (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii). Los documentos, generados a través de un proceso participativo en el que han colaborado decenas de expertos, proporcionan información sobre la biología, ecología y amenazas de las especies aunque el aspecto más importante es el listado de objetivos específicos y acciones que aparecen ordenadas según prioridad y urgencia. Los planes sugieren acciones de amplio espectro, comunes a todas las especies, tales como una correcta ordenación territorial, de la pesca, del desarrollo turístico y el control de la contaminación, junto con acciones referentes a las necesidades de conservación de cada especie, tales como protección y gestión de los lugares de cría. Estos documentos representan la fuente de información más actualizada y con más base científi-ca de que disponemos para llevar a cabo acciones de conservación en el Mediterráneo por parte de las organizaciones gubernamentales o no gubernamentales.Palabras clave: gaviota de Audouin, pardela balear, cormorán moñudo, planes de acción, conservación, Mediterráneo.

Seabird mortality from longline fishing in the Mediterranean Sea and Macaronesian waters: a review and a way forward

“…The first step should be to hold a dedicated workshop to assess the problem of longline fishing in the Mediterranean and around the Macaronesian Islands, and to set priorities for data-gathering, research and management. The workshop could usefully consider all the species of seabirds known to be affected, including those with relatively small and/or endemic populations for which conservation concern has already been expressed by the production of species action plans, such as the Balearic shearwater and Audouin's gull (Heredia et al, 1996;BirdLife International, 1999;Gallo-Orsi, 2003). The workshop could lead to the production of a "longline action plan" for the seriously affected species to be adopted by all the Mediterranean and Macaronesian countries in whose waters the various species occur.…”

Expected Effects of Offshore Wind Farms on Mediterranean Marine Life

“…Using parameters that are heavily weighted on the risks of collision mortality (flight altitude, flight manoeuvrability, percentage of flight time, nocturnal flight altitude, disturbance by wind farm structures, ship and helicopter traffic, and habitat specialization), the North/Baltic Sea-based studies assessed 18 of the 29 Mediterranean seabirds. Notable exclusions to the list are the endemic species of the Mediterranean, which pose a greater conservation risk due to their small population sizes [33]. Garthe and Hüppop [13] identify the Black and Red-throated diver, the Sandwich tern, and the great Cormorant as the most sensitive of the Mediterranean seabirds within their index, and rated the Black-legged kittiwake, and the Black-headed gull as the least sensitive when all parameters were combined.…”

Ingestão de plástico pelo atobá-mascarado, Sula dactylatra Lesson, 1831, na Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, RN, Brasil

“…Estes "pilares da conservação" ajudam-nos a identificar as prioridades para o manejo das aves em nível global (GALLO-ORSI, 2003). Entre esses pilares encontramos as pessoas, as quais são os principais responsáveis para que o processo de manejo e conservação funcione; e para a implementação desta ação de manejo são necessárias decisões burocráticas das agências de meio ambiente e, consequentemente, tempo.…”