Consultation on the Seabird Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for Northern Ireland
A submission by staff at BirdWatch Ireland
Contact: Rochelle Streker, Marine Spatial Planning Officer, BirdWatch Ireland
Address for correspondence: BirdWatch Ireland, Unit 20 Block D, Bullford Business Campus, Kilcoole/Greystones, Co. Wicklow.
Phone: + 353 87 4374401
Email: rstreker@birdwatchireland.ie
Introduction
BirdWatch Ireland is the Republic of Ireland’s leading charity focused on the conservation of wild birds. Established in 1968, we currently have over 15,000 members and supporters and a local network of over 30 branches nationwide. As an organisation, our conservation team is actively involved in seabird conservation, research, and monitoring. Our policy and advocacy team are active stakeholders contributing to marine conservation at a national and EU level. We are the Irish partner of Birdlife International and are members of the Irish Environmental Network, Stop Climate Chaos, and the Sustainable Water Network, and a founding partner of the Fair Seas coalition.
Republic of Ireland’s Seabirds
The Republic of Ireland’s marine environment plays host to a huge diversity of ornithological life year-round. In summer, our offshore islands and cliffs host seabird breeding colonies, many of which are of international importance or regional significance. In winter, our coasts and estuaries are of huge importance for wintering waterbirds. Seabirds, as top marine predators exposed to all threats affecting the ocean, are excellent biodiversity indicators, providing us with an insight into the health of, and pressures facing, our marine environment [1].
However, 23 of 24 breeding seabirds which occur on the island of Ireland are either Red or Amber listed Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland [2]. They are highly vulnerable, facing current pressures and future threats, including (ranked in order of frequency of occurrence) [3].
Bycatch and incidental killing (due to fishing and hunting activities) [4]
Desynchronisation of biological/ecological processes due to climate change
Decline or extinction of related species (e.g. food source/prey, predator/parasite, symbiote, etc.)
Other invasive alien species (other than species of Union concern).
Potential impacts from wind, wave and tidal power, including the associated infrastructure
