A new report reveals numerous knowledge gaps concerning possible effects of seaweed harvesting on seabirds and shorebirds in Norway. Stakeholders call for stricter regulations.

The first quantitative assessment of microplastics in seabird faeces in Northern Europe shows presence of microplastics in European shag (Gulosus aristotelis) chicks. This provides valuable baseline information and confirms that minimal-invasive sampling of faeces for plastic monitoring in seabirds is possible.

By using a combination of different modelling techniques, researchers in SEAPOP have gained detailed insights into how environmental pollutants and climate change may affect the black-backed gull population on Hornøya, both directly and indirectly.

Groundbreaking study uses seabirds as indicators of mercury presence through the North-Atlantic Arctic. Results of grave importance for Arctic communities as concentrations increase from the Barents Sea to the East coast of Canada.

In only four decades more than 80% of kittiwakes breeding on the coast of the Norwegian mainland have disappeared. More than 60% of all seabird species in Norway are now endangered. In this photographic journey through shifting baselines we clearly see the dramatic changes

Researchers have investigated differences in diet and spatial distribution of Atlantic puffins and black-legged kittiwakes from Røst in the non-breeding season. The results show that even birds of the same species from the same colony may choose different strategies after leaving the nest sites.

SEATRACK-data used to study the relationship between wind patterns and migrating movements.

New indicator for status of seabirds combines population size, adult survival and breeding success.

With an aim to identify the characteristics of the best foraging areas for black guillemots (Cepphus grylle), researchers in SEAPOP have studied foraging behaviour and habitat use of black guillemots at three breeding locations along the Norwegian coast. Although differences in foraging activity and habitat use were found, one parameter in particular stood out as the most important.

Mercury is known to have an adverse effect on animal wildlife, and mercury contamination has increased through anthropogenic inputs. A new study examines the mercury exposure and the potential health risks for 36 Arctic seabirds and shorebirds.

Successful breeding is crucial, but climate change can make timing of breeding more demanding. A new study including data from several colonies monitored throughout the SEAPOP programme has now examined how seabirds adjust their breeding phenology.

Negative trends for populations with low productivity can be somewhat mitigated by adults living longer.

Using a comprehensive set of tracking data from five seabird species in the North Atlantic and a model for estimating energy consumption, researchers have investigated how severe winter storms may impact the seabird community and eventually lead to seabird mass mortality.

Human activity in the coastal zone is increasing worldwide, including Norway. Aquaculture, kelp harvesting, fisheries, increasing boat and ship traffic present sources of disturbance and pose a variety of potential threats to seabirds.

By using a more than 100-year-old record of a puffin Fratercula arctica chick harvest on Iceland, researchers have found a relationship between ocean temperatures and production of puffin chicks.

How do seabirds find enough food to survive the darkness of winter? In a study on colonies in Great Britain, Iceland and Norway, researchers used geolocators to reveal that European shags adopt various strategies to handle the winter darkness.

The NorthWind research centre on wind energy launched its activities today with its first General Assembly.  

130 years of catch data show that global warming is contributing to population decline in the world's largest puffin colony.

Changes in seabird breeding productivity reflect hemispheric differences in ocean warming and human use, and call out the need for policies that reduce the impacts of climate change on the world’s marine ecosystems. 

This study signals the need for fisheries management to account for ecosystem constraints when setting catch limits in periods of low forage fish biomass.