Scottish Government has decided to extend 31 Special Protection Areas around seabird breeding colonies. It means the birds' feeding grounds close to shore will receive the same protection as their nesting colonies on the land.
The new SPAs will be extended out to sea by between one and four kilometres, depending on which species are present. Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'We congratulate the government for giving Scotland's internationally important seabird colonies the same protection offshore as when nesting on the land.
Puffin perching on rock Photo: Nigel Blake/RSPB'Seabirds on RSPB Scotland reserves have recently suffered a run of terrible breeding seasons and although this year was better, it's vital that we do all we can to protect them and the food resources they need to prosper.
'We warmly welcome this significant step towards creating a comprehensive network of marine protected areas to secure Scotland's wealth of marine biodiversity.'
Further work is now needed identify feeding areas used by Scotland's other internationally important breeding seabird colonies as well as feeding and wintering areas further out to sea.
Nevertheless, with this announcement Scotland has set the pace for the other countries of the UK who have some way to go to catch up.
RSPB Scotland has several important seabird reserves, including Ailsa Craig, Fowlsheugh and Troup Head.
The new SPAs will be extended out to sea by between one and four kilometres, depending on which species are present. Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'We congratulate the government for giving Scotland's internationally important seabird colonies the same protection offshore as when nesting on the land.
Puffin perching on rock Photo: Nigel Blake/RSPB'Seabirds on RSPB Scotland reserves have recently suffered a run of terrible breeding seasons and although this year was better, it's vital that we do all we can to protect them and the food resources they need to prosper.'We warmly welcome this significant step towards creating a comprehensive network of marine protected areas to secure Scotland's wealth of marine biodiversity.'
Further work is now needed identify feeding areas used by Scotland's other internationally important breeding seabird colonies as well as feeding and wintering areas further out to sea.
Nevertheless, with this announcement Scotland has set the pace for the other countries of the UK who have some way to go to catch up.
RSPB Scotland has several important seabird reserves, including Ailsa Craig, Fowlsheugh and Troup Head.
