LIFE Project Objectives

Yelkouan Shearwaters (Garnija) in Malta

Over the last 25 years, we have seen a decline in Yelkouan Shearwaters in Malta and across Europe. Seven organisations have joined forces as the EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater Project to make sure that these rare birds start to thrive here once more. The project will also improve the site for people to enjoy the other wildlife that flourishes there.

What threats are the birds facing?

Shearwater on ledge / J Borg

Yelkouan Shearwaters nest in deep burrows in the cliffs and fish out at sea to feed their young. However, in recent years, they have been facing a number of threats which have prevented the birds from successfully rearing their chicks.

The threats faced by the Yelkouan Shearwaters include:

• Rats which eat the chicks. Rats are attracted in by the rubbish from campers and picnics
• Building work has destroyed breeding habitat
• An increase of noise and light has scared the birds off
• Birds are being accidentally caught on longline fishing lines
• Illegal human disturbance and hunting has affected the birds
• Recreational activities are disturbing the birds
  

What is the Yelkouan Shearwater project going to do about it?

We aim to reduce the threats to the birds throughout the project and beyond. Here are some examples of how the project will work:

• Rat eradication is being carried out on site
• We will work with fishermen to find a solution to prevent the accidental catching of birds
• We will work with government authorities to ensure that coastal breeding habitats are effectively protected
• Noise and light disturbance to the site will be reduced by working with the recreational sector to find alternative locations for their activities
• We will be creating a management plan for the site, which will also act as an example for protected area management in Malta and the Mediterranean
• A site warden has been employed to monitor and manage the site
• We will develop a system to identify Marine Special Protection Areas nationally
  

What has happened so far?

The project launched on the 26th March 2007. The launch was attended by the Prime Minister, The Environment Minister, other diginitaries and the project partners.

Some of the project actions are now well underway. Rat eradication is taking place and will result in increased breeding success for 2007.

We are also working with our partners  to put data loggers onto the birds to track their progress and provide data new to science on the behaviour of these birds.

Who is doing the work?

The project will run until 2010 and involves a partnership of seven organisations:

• BirdLife Malta
• RSPB (UK)
• SPEA (Portugal)
• Armed Forces of Malta
• Heritage Malta
• Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences
• Malta Maritime Association

It is co-funded by MEPA and HSBC. The Project is 50% funded by the EU LIFE fund.

Do you want to know more?

If you would like to know more or would like to volunteer for the project, then please contact Helen Raine, Yelkouan Shearwater Project Manager on:

Tel:  +356 21347646

E-mail: life@birdlifemalta.org   

Web: www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt