Written Statement: Announcement of the publication of the Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy

Wales, supports internationally important breeding populations of seabirds, thanks to its diverse coastal habitats, cliffs, and islands.  Skomer and Skokholm Islands, off the Pembrokeshire coast, are among Wales’ most important seabird habitats, supporting the world’s largest breeding population of Manx shearwater, around 450,000 pairs, alongside Wales’ largest colony of Atlantic puffins. Further offshore, Grassholm Island hosts one of the largest Northern gannet colonies in the world, providing critical habitat for this species.

The importance of Wales’ coastline stretches north, including the sweeping sands near the Dee Estuary in North East Wales, which provide essential nesting space for little terns, forming the second-largest colony of its kind in the UK. Seabird populations across Wales and beyond,  have faced sustained pressures over many years including prey availability and lack of suitable habitats, compounded by the climate crisis we all face. Populations are becoming less resilient, as illustrated by the recent and severe impacts arising from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). In 2022, this virus significantly affected key tern and gull colonies, and most notably, the gannet colony on Grassholm, where breeding pairs are believed to have declined by approximately 50%.

In response to these challenges, I commissioned the development of the Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy which will provide an evidence-based framework for the long-term protection of our nationally and globally significant seabird populations.

Development of the strategy has been a substantial collaborative effort involving Welsh Government and key partners including Natural Resources Wales, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. I extend my sincere thanks to all those who contributed to this important work.

The Strategy encompasses 29 seabird species found in Wales - some resident, some overwintering, and others breeding. Regardless of their lifecycle stage, it is essential that these species have access to suitable foraging grounds and nesting habitats.

Central to the Strategy are vulnerability assessments, which consider the sensitivity of a species to a pressure and the level of exposure the species has to that pressure; over 20 pressures have been assessed using expert judgement and the best available evidence. 

From this evidence base, five main pressures have emerged as critically impacting seabird populations recovery and resilience in Wales:

• Introduction or spread of invasive non-indigenous species
• Visual disturbance
• Introduction of microbial pathogens
• Reduction in availability, extent, or quality of supporting habitat
• Uncontrolled increase of native competitor/predatory species

In light of these findings, the strategy outlines a series of targeted recommendations with contributing actions addressing these priority areas. I believe these actions represent a clear and necessary path forward - one we must pursue collectively to secure a resilient and sustainable future for Wales’ seabird populations.

While this marks the beginning of a longer journey toward seabird conservation in Wales, it is a significant and welcome step. Welsh Government remains committed to periodically reviewing the evidence base and updating recommendations as new data emerges, ensuring our approach remains responsive to the evolving needs of these vital species.