Consultation Download
SEA7 Seabirds
SEA7 Technical Report - Seabirds
The aims of this study were:
To provide an overview of individual species offshore distribution in SEA 7.
To identify, where possible, offshore areas in SEA 7 that are important for seabirds.
To assess offshore seabird vulnerability to surface pollution in SEA 7.
To provide a brief outline on the potential for offshore SPAs in the offshore waters of SEA 7.
To highlight major gaps in understanding and survey coverage in the offshore waters of SEA 7.
Methodology
Ship-based and aerial survey data for the SEA 7 area collected between 1979 and 2005 were provided by ESAS.
Offshore waters were defined as greater than 200 m in depth and the offshore distribution of seventeen species of seabirds were reviewed.
Species accounts
Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet and Black-legged Kittiwake were the most abundant species recorded on ESAS surveys in offshore waters of the SEA 7 area.
The SEA 7 area was also important for European Storm-petrel and Leachs Storm-petrel.
Important offshore areas in SEA 7
Generally seabird densities were low in offshore waters. Important areas were along the shelf break, Rockall Trough and Rockall Bank.
Species diversity of seabirds was low in offshore waters compared to inshore waters, although more species were recorded during the summer months.
This report was prepared by Claire Pollock and Colin Barton of Cork Ecology.
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