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Background Document for Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus Fuscus

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Background Document for Lesser Black Backed Gull (Larus Fuscus Background document for Lesser black backed gull Larus fuscus fuscus Biodiversity Series 2009 OSPAR Convention Convention OSPAR The Convention for the Protection of the La Convention pour la protection du milieu Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic marin de l'Atlantique du Nord-Est, dite (the “OSPAR Convention”) was opened for Convention OSPAR, a été ouverte à la signature at the Ministerial Meeting of the signature à la réunion ministérielle des former Oslo and Paris Commissions in Paris anciennes Commissions d'Oslo et de Paris, on 22 September 1992. The Convention à Paris le 22 septembre 1992. La Convention entered into force on 25 March 1998. It has est entrée en vigueur le 25 mars 1998. been ratified by Belgium, Denmark, Finland, La Convention a été ratifiée par l'Allemagne, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, la Belgique, le Danemark, la Finlande, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, la France, l’Irlande, l’Islande, le Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom la Norvège, les Pays-Bas, le Portugal, and approved by the European Community le Royaume-Uni de Grande Bretagne and Spain. et d’Irlande du Nord, la Suède et la Suisse et approuvée par la Communauté européenne et l’Espagne. Acknowledgement This report has been prepared by Dr Nigel Varty and Ms Kate Tanner for BirdLife International as lead party for the Lesser black backed gull. Photo cover page: Lesser black backed gull©Andreas Trepte/www.photo-natur.de. 2 Contents Background Document for Lesser black backed gull Larus fuscus fuscus...................................4 Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................4 Récapitulatif .......................................................................................................................................4 1. Background Information..........................................................................................................4 Name of species.....................................................................................................................4 Ecology and breeding biology ................................................................................................4 2. Original Evaluation against the Texel-Faial selection criteria .................................................5 List of OSPAR Regions and Dinter biogeographic zones where the species occurs ............5 List of OSPAR Regions and Dinter biogeographic zones where the species is under threat and/or in decline...........................................................................................................5 Original evaluation against the Texel-Faial criteria for which the species was included on the OSPAR List...................................................................................................5 3. Current status of the species ..................................................................................................5 Distribution in OSPAR maritime area .....................................................................................5 Population (current/trends/future prospects)..........................................................................6 Condition (current/trends/future prospects)............................................................................7 Limitations in knowledge ........................................................................................................7 4. Evaluation of threats and impacts...........................................................................................7 5. Existing Management measures.............................................................................................8 6. Conclusion on overall status ...................................................................................................9 7. Action should be taken at an OSPAR level?.........................................................................10 Action/measures that OSPAR could take, subject to OSPAR agreement ...........................10 Brief summary of the proposed monitoring system..............................................................11 Annex 1: Overview of data and information provided by Contracting Parties ..............................13 Summaries of country-specific information provided.......................................................................13 Annex 2: References............................................................................................................................13 3 Background document for Lesser Black Backed Gull Larus fuscus fuscus Background Document for Lesser black backed gull Larus fuscus fuscus Executive Summary This background document on the Lesser black backed gull – Larus fuscus fuscus - has been developed by OSPAR following the inclusion of this species on the OSPAR List of threatened and/or declining species and habitats (OSPAR agreement 2008-6). The document provides a compilation of the reviews and assessments that have been prepared concerning this species since the agreement to include it in the OSPAR List in 2003. The original evaluation used to justify the inclusion of Larus fuscus fuscus in the OSPAR List is followed by an assessment of the most recent information on its status (distribution, population, condition) and key threats prepared during 2008-2009. Chapter 7 provides recommendations for the actions and measures that could be taken to improve the conservation status of the species. On the basis of these recommendations, OSPAR will continue its work to ensure the protection of Larus fuscus fuscus, where necessary in cooperation with other organisations. This document may be updated to reflect further developments. Récapitulatif Le présent document de fond sur le goéland brun a été élaboré par OSPAR à la suite de l’inclusion de cette espèce dans la liste OSPAR des espèces et habitats menacés et/ou en déclin (Accord OSPAR 2008-6). Ce document comporte une compilation des revues et des évaluations concernant cette espèce qui ont été préparées depuis qu’il a été convenu de l’inclure dans la Liste OSPAR en 2003. L’évaluation d’origine permettant de justifier l’inclusion du goéland brun dans la Liste OSPAR est suivie d’une évaluation des informations les plus récentes sur son statut (distribution, population, condition) et des menaces clés, préparée en 2008-2009. Le chapitre 7 recommande des actions et mesures à prendre éventuellement afin d’améliorer l’état de conservation de l’espèce. OSPAR poursuivra ses travaux, en se fondant sur ces recommandations, afin de s’assurer de la protection du goéland brun, le cas échéant en coopération avec d’autres organisations. Le présent document pourra être actualisé pour tenir compte de nouvelles avancées. 1. Background Information Name of species Larus fuscus fuscus lesser black backed gull Ecology and breeding biology Larus fuscus fuscus is a migratory species, leaving the breeding areas from August to fly south to the Black Sea and the eastern part of the Mediterranean and Africa. Breeding colonies are often situated many kilometers inland, often on bogs or other flat areas or on small islands nearly always with rich dense vegetation. L.fuscus is a surface predator and feeds mainly on Atlanto-Scandic herring, Clupea harengus and sprat, Sprattus sprattus (Strann, 1992)1. 1 In northern Norway, the species is a typical offshore feeder with a very limited terrestrial diet, and only infrequently feeds at rubbish dumps, although this has been reported in Finland to some extent. 4 OSPAR Commission 2009 2. Original Evaluation against the Texel-Faial selection criteria List of OSPAR Regions and Dinter biogeographic zones where the species occurs OSPAR Region I Dinter biogeographic zones: Norwegian Coast (Finnmark), Norwegian Coast (Westnorwegian) List of OSPAR Regions and Dinter biogeographic zones where the species is under threat and/or in decline All where it occurs Original evaluation against the Texel-Faial criteria for which the species was included on the OSPAR List The subspecies L.f.fuscus was nominated by one Contracting Party (Norway), and first listed by OSPAR 2003. The criteria cited were decline, rarity and sensitivity, with information also provided on threat. Regional importance. At the time of listing, the total population of the fuscus subspecies was believed to be under 15 000 pairs, of which about 2500 pairs bred within the Barents Sea on the Norwegian and Russian coasts (Anker-Nilssen et al., 2000). Decline. The ICES evaluation of this nomination (ICES, 2002) was based on compelling evidence of a decline in the numbers of L.f.fuscus, estimated at 90% since 1970. The evidence of a marked decline in breeding numbers of Lf.fuscus in northern Norway was considered very strong. The species was also reported to have disappeared from the Murman coast and the north-western White Sea of Russia (Anker-Nilssen et al., 2000). Rarity. At the time of listing, the subspecies had a relatively small population and limited number of breeding sites, and was considered a rare sub-species in OSPAR Region I. Sensitivity. L.f.fuscus was listed as sensitive due to the small numbers breeding at a very limited number of locations. It was considered to be particularly sensitive to disturbance, predation, and oil pollution. Threats. The case report for this species cites the likely principal threats as man-made pollution such as PCBs, decline in prey species, and competition with and predation by the herring
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