Threat to Yelkouan Shearwater intensifies
Photo: A. Olle, BirdLife
The Yelkouan Shearwater (Garnija), a seabird that has been the focus of two EU LIFE Projects in Malta, has been classified as 'vulnerable', a higher category of threat to its previous conservation status in the 2012 Red List update for birds.
The list is drawn up by BirdLife International for the Union for the Conservation of Nature.
BirdLife Malta said in a statement that the Maltese archipelago is home to an estimated 10 per cent of the world population of Yelkouan Shearwater.
Until recently the populations were in decline in Malta as well but this trend was reversed due to the Yelkouan Shearwater Project that ended in 2010.
"The success story for Yelkouans in Malta is a clear indicator of the effectiveness of nature conservation on a national scale. To reverse the population decline on regional or global level, similar efforts to that in Malta are needed," Laura Bambini, LIFE+ Malta Seabird project manager said.
This year, BirdLife Malt,a together with the Ministry for the Environment, launched the EU LIFE+ Malta Seabird Project to identify areas out at sea that are important to Malta's seabirds, including the Yelkouan Shearwater, to further protect these seabirds and the marine environment.
BirdLife Malta and the Environment Ministry are also continuing with the previously established conservation actions of the LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater project at the Rdum tal-Madonna Natura2000 site which is home to the biggest colony of Yelkouan Shearwaters in the Maltese islands.
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C Cassar
Jun 8th 2012, 20:54
Well done and a great cuase for EU funds. Maybe this should be part funded by raising the cost of the hunting license to something around €200, still very cheap for something that is destructive.
Marco Meli
Jun 8th 2012, 12:06
And what was the amount in euros of the "malta seabird project"? And of course how much is the environment ministry going to fork out to continue with this project? Obviously, if the project will fail, they will blame it on the hunters!
Mark Sultana
Jun 8th 2012, 20:27
Oh come on Mr Meli be more optimistic then that. Why do you feel so bitter that a conservation project is doing so well? is it because you prefer killing a bird rather then letting it live?
your last comment about blaming hunters, although pathetic, reminds me of the time when some vandals entered an afforestation project in mellieha and destroyed hundreds of trees. Pro hunters were very edgy at anyone who pointed fingers at the hunting fraternity, till the culprits were caught and explained they were hunters. Kieku jien nisthi!!
Marco Meli
Jun 9th 2012, 00:52
i do not feel bitter about the project, but if my memory doesn't get me wrong, we were promised that with the closure of the trapping seasons we were to encounter much more finches and other song birds in the country side, something that didn't materialize. We were even to encounter much more turtle doves with the closure of the spring season, again, it didn't materialize so far. So how can i be more optimistic if the facts prove otherwise.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jun 8th 2012, 11:39
"The success story for Yelkouans in Malta is a clear indicator of the effectiveness of nature conservation on a national scale."
The local breeding population of the Yelkouan Shearwater as assessed by Sultana And Gauci in 1982 is still the same today. Can Laura Bambini please explain the success story?
By all means offer these birds protection, but stating the truth should be part of proving your effectiveness in achieving some form of improvement for these birds.
Undoubtedly rats have lessened in the area, but was this the aim of such a costly EU funded project?
Mark Sultana
Jun 8th 2012, 20:16
I suggest you buy The Breeding Birds of Malta (sultana, gauci, borg and falzon) for a proper update and knowledge on this subject. I can refer you to pages 55 to 70 where a number of statistics, studies and interesting facts about this incredible species is documented and illustrated. the same goes for all the other breeding species of our islands.
Your statement that that the breeding population is today the same as it was in 1982, just shows how you fail to understand the value on conservation. maybe you should find out about the decline in breeding pairs in between this 30year period and you will understand the success of this project.
keep it up Birdlife
Chris Galea
Jun 8th 2012, 10:37
seems BLM need '' a little bit '' of cash from EU funds !!!!
Anthony Formosa
Jun 8th 2012, 11:03
I have the same thoughts. Everyone should know that the EU funds are not printed but coming out from our taxes.
Tony Borg
Jun 8th 2012, 11:53
If what you say is true..........then i for one would prefer it that way rather than having some minister bagging €500.00 weekly for over sleeping in parliament.
Nature is for everyone to appreciate and not for the few to destroy!!
D Borg
Jun 8th 2012, 13:01
Well and good, cause they are being put to effective good use....
until the next arson attack by those who do not know better!
mario salnitro
Jun 8th 2012, 13:28
Any excuse for more cash e !!!!
Now we have 10% of the total population of Yelkouan Shearwater how come so many ??
I thought the Maltese hunters shot at everything that flies??????
Steve Zammit
Jun 9th 2012, 11:38
What is the FKNK doing and contributing to conservation in Malta??
nothing
Please choose the reason of your report below: