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Interactions between black-legged kittiwakes and their fish prey in the North Sea. Report of the JNCC-Ørsted workshop, Edinburgh, October 2023 2024

Abstract

The black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla is one of the seabird species that have recently undergone severe declines in the UK. Depletion of fish prey in the North Sea, caused by climate change and/or fisheries activities, is a key pressure contributing to poor kittiwake population status. The ecological mechanisms and processes underpinning the interactions between kittiwakes and their fish prey are complex and need to be better understood in order to inform robust, evidence-based ecological measures that would improve the viability of seabird populations of conservation importance.

Ørsted have commissioned JNCC to deliver an assessment of relevant evidence, and to develop a shared understanding of key knowledge gaps and potential future research. As part of this work, JNCC organised a one-day face-to-face workshop in Edinburgh on 4 October 2023, bringing together experts in the fields of kittiwake ecology and behaviour, fish ecology and behaviour, fisheries science, and predator-prey interactions. A key aim of the workshop was to identify areas of research and monitoring needs that would improve understanding of kittiwake and fish prey interactions in the southern region of the North Sea, which is of direct relevance to offshore wind Hornsea Project Three. This report presents the findings from the workshop and includes information gathered at both the workshop and pre-workshop meeting.

This resource may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need a copy in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2024·06·01

Citation
Ruffino, L. & Black, J. 2024. Interactions between black-legged kittiwakes and their fish prey in the North Sea. Report of the JNCC-Ørsted workshop, Edinburgh, October 2023. JNCC Report 767. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report provides a summary of the discussions at the JNCC-Ørsted workshop, held in Edinburgh in October 2023. JNCC and Ørsted would like to thank all who participated in the workshop.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2024·07·15

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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