Why You Should Care About A 70 Percent Drop in Seabird Populations

photo credit: Ti Marner

Penguins, Puffins and Albatrosses…oh my!

A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) revealed some startling findings –  seabird populations around the world have declined 70 percent over the past 60 years.

This dramatic decline should alarm anyone who loves our oceans and the animals that call them home. Seabirds are health indicators for a marine ecosystem.

Researchers began to look into why beloved animals such as puffins, penguins, pelicans, albatrosses, auks, blue footed boobies are all disappearing. After examining data going as far back to 1950, researchers at UBC learned that the population declines can’t be attributed to one issue, but a network of issues affecting marine animal populations.

Researchers determined that the dramatic population decrease is related to overfishing, entanglement in fishing gear, plastics in the ocean, oil pollution, introduction of non-native predators, habitat destruction and changes to the ocean caused by climate change.

Seabirds are an essential part of the marine ecosystem. They prey on, and are prey for, animals in their environment and they help transport nutrients from their waste into coastal ecosystems where they help fertilize the soil.

If we want to see seabird numbers improve, it will take a concentrated effort to begin reducing the threats affecting populations. Efforts like removing plastics from our oceans, changing global fishing practices, protecting natural habitats and addressing climate change can all have an positive impact on seabird numbers. Without global action we will continue to see these populations decline.

Source: Science Daily