Saving seabirds in Scotland

Fulmar gliding, Little Orme, Conwy

Scotland's seas are truly extraordinary - they are home to half of Scotland's wildlife, and 45% of the EU's breeding seabirds. We have the longest and most diverse coastline, richest marine life, and largest seabird colonies in the UK.

Scotland's seas are important for a huge variety of species, from basking sharks to rare coldwater corals. Wildlife watching, fishing and other marine industries bring great financial benefits to our coastal communities.

It's in everyone's interests that our marine environment is managed sustainably, to allow us to reap the benefit of healthy, productive and diverse seas and coasts.

RSPB Scotland is committed to protecting Scotland's 5 million seabirds - that's one seabird for every person in the country! Many of these birds rely on RSPB reserves when they come to land to breed. Over 40,000 pairs of gannets circle and dive around the sheer cliffs of our Ailsa Craig nature reserve - the third largest gannetry in the UK.

It's in everyone's interests that our marine environment is managed sustainably

Over 100,000 seabirds nest at our Fowlsheugh nature reserve in Aberdeenshire and cliff top paths and boat trips offer close up views of this seabird city. Sumburgh Head, at the southern tip of mainland Shetland, supports a 26,000 strong colony of seabirds, including tammie norries - that's puffins to people outside of Shetland. Our Hoy nature reserve on Orkney is home to the Old Man of Hoy, the world-famous rock stack, and one of the UK's largest fulmar colonies.

It may seem incredible, but the seas around the UK currently have no legal protection. This means that some of Scotland's most precious wildlife, from seabirds to seahorses, is at risk from human impacts such as shipping, marine developments, fishing, aquaculture, and pollution.

Responsibility for the seas around Scotland lies with both the Scottish parliament at Holyrood (for devolved issues out to 12 nautical miles from our coast) and with the UK Government at Westminster (for reserved issues such as oil and gas, and in the offshore area from 12 - 200 nautical miles.)

RSPB Scotland is campaigning for new laws to protect our seas and coast, and for sustainable fisheries, to benefit wildlife and people in Scotland.

What can I do?

Find a coastal Aren't birds brilliant! event near you

See brilliant birds in the wild

Last modified: 08 June 2007

Back to basics

Why seas and coasts matter

Bird guide

Nature reserves

Related websites

Save Scottish Seas