Seabird strandings closely monitored by Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The occurrence of stranded seabirds observed on several islands in the Azores due to adverse weather conditions is being closely monitored by the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies (DRPM), the environmental authority for the marine environment in the Region.

To date, more than 80 little auk (Alle alle) strandings have been recorded. Despite wintering in Azorean waters, this species is rarely observed on land under normal conditions. These episodes are usually associated with periods of bad weather and have also been documented in other North Atlantic regions.

The recording of these occurrences is due to the coordinated work of nature rangers from the Environmental and Climate Action Services, birdwatchers, non-governmental organisations and island delegations of the Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, who have played a key role in detecting, reporting and monitoring these situations.

So far, seven specimens have been registered on the island of Flores, nine on the island of Graciosa, 55 on the island of Faial, 16 on the island of Pico and two on the island of Terceira. Most birds were already dead or near death, showing signs of extreme exhaustion and disorientation, unable to return to the sea.

Among the incidents recorded, five birds were assessed and given veterinary care, with the intervention of CERAS (Wild Bird Recovery Centre) in Pico, the veterinarian from the Lajes das Flores Municipal Council and the local Agrarian Development Service. One bird was successfully recovered and released on the island of Flores.

The DRPM calls on the population to cooperate in the following manner whenever a stranded seabird is found:

• Do not touch or collect it;
• If found alive, avoid handling it and causing additional stress;
• The incident should be promptly reported to the environmental authorities or the competent services of the respective island, via the SOS Environment hotline (+351 800 292 800).

The systematic monitoring and tracking of episodes such as these by the authorities is essential for assessing the impact of extreme weather events on marine biodiversity, thereby contributing to better management and conservation of the Azores' ecosystems.