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Why seas and coasts matter
Every year, just under eight million seabirds from 26 species, such as puffins and terns, come to the shores of the British Isles to breed, often in spectacular colonies.
Millions more waders, gulls, divers and seaducks, winter in and around our coasts and estuaries.
The UK and Ireland support a large part of the world breeding populations of a number of seabirds, including 90% of the world's Manx shearwaters and 68% of the world's northern gannets, many on our reserves.
These birds face many threats to their survival at sea, notably from fisheries, loss of feeding habitat or food, from increasing offshore development and also by getting tangled in marine litter and debris or from pollution such as oil and chemicals. We have both a national and an international duty to conserve them – legally and morally.
There is both a legal and a moral duty to conserve seabirds.
Places of beauty
The sea around our coast provides us with a unique environment that is a place of beauty and enjoyment for millions of people each year, and if kept in good condition, can benefit our health and lifestyle too.
It also supports many thousands of jobs, an increasing number of industries and is a method of transport around the globe.
But the sea and our coasts are also home to one of the most diverse and amazing marine environments in Europe.
We work on a range of issues to protect and conserve our seabirds and shorebirds, as well as the wonderful marine environment on which they depend, from the impacts of human activities.
What can I do?
Our precious seas are dying from neglect. Your support today will help safeguard our sea life.
Safeguard our sea life
Want to do even more?
Experience bustling colonies of seabirds and breathtaking scenes at our coastal reserves
Find a reserve by habitat
Last modified: 14 April 2010