LIFE PanPuffinus!

Representatives from the EU-appointed monitoring teams & the @EU_Commission attended too. It was an opportunity to meet with the fishers who participated in the project, testing mitigation measures & supporting data collection efforts. @ornithologiki @spea_birdlife @SEO_BirdLife

The LIFE PanPuffinus! team visited the beautiful island of Lesvos in Greece as part of the final monitoring visit for the project. A monitoring visit entails a full update on both the financial & technical outcomes of the project & is attended by all project partners. @LPOFrance

Building long-term partnerships with small-scale fishers is key to reducing seabird bycatch. Through LIFE PanPuffinus and LIFE Marine Mammal Species, @LPOFrance is co-developing mitigation measures that fishers adopt, promote, and sustain - turning collaboration into lasting conservation impact. Footage: LIFEPanPuffinus! Editing: Simone Davide Brunori #BycatchReduction #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

Working together across borders 🌊🐟 Through this project, BirdLife Greece partnered with fishers for the first time, aligning methods, exchanging knowledge, and building trust. Fisher exchanges revealed shared challenges, diverse fishing practices, and the realities of a demanding profession - laying the foundation for long-term collaboration to address bycatch and protect marine biodiversity. 🎥 LIFE PanPuffinus!  ✂️ Simone Davide Brunori  #WorkingWithFishers #BycatchReduction #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

Closely Related 🐦🌊 The Balearic Shearwater and the Yelkouan Shearwater share a common ancestor, similar feeding behaviour and comparable breeding habitats. These similarities are why Mediterranean countries work together through LIFE PanPuffinus to reduce seabird bycatch and protect both species at sea and at their colonies. 🤝🇪🇺 🎥 LIFE PanPuffinus! ✂️ Simone Davide Brunori  #BalearicShearwater #YelkouanShearwater #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

Working together across borders is key to protecting our seabirds. The LIFE PanPuffinus! project is bringing scientists and fishers from different countries together to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and develop solutions that work for everyone at sea. A powerful reminder that conservation succeeds when we join forces. Edited by Simone Davide Brunori #LIFEPanPuffinus #SeabirdConservation #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

Through the LIFEPanPuffinus! project, our team has been working with partners across Europe to tackle two major threats to Yelkouan and Balearic shearwaters: accidental bycatch and the impact of invasive species. As the project concludes, @BirdLife_Malta remains committed to safeguarding these vulnerable seabirds and strengthening cross-border collaboration to ensure their long-term protection. Edited by Simone Davide Brunori #SeabirdConservation #LIFEPanPuffinus #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

🎣 “Our goal is to catch fish, not seabirds.” Meet Maltese fisherman William Bugeja, one of the many fishers who collaborated in the LIFE PanPuffinus! project to help protect seabirds such as the Yelkouan Shearwater. By sharing his experience and adopting seabird-safe fishing practices, William shows how conservation and traditional fishing can work hand in hand to protect our Mediterranean seabirds. 🌊🐦 Edited by Simone Davide Brunori #SeabirdConservation #LIFEPanPuffinus! #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

Together for conservation Collaboration between scientists and fishers is key to achieving real conservation,” said Alicia Bugeja Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights, during the closing event of the LIFE PanPuffinus project. 🌊🐦 Her message highlighted the importance of cooperation and research in protecting our Mediterranean seabirds, a commitment that continues to shape Malta’s conservation efforts. Edited by Simone Davide Brunori. More information here: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/life-p… #SeabirdConservation #LIFEPanPuffinus! #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

@BirdLife_Malta hosts the Marine Task Force meeting BirdLife Malta was this year’s host of the Marine Task Force meeting. This gathering is coordinated by @BirdLifeEurope, and brings together partners from different European countries with the aim of discussing pertinent marine issues. The agenda this year included discussions about marine restoration, sustainable fisheries, offshore renewables, and marine protected areas. These meetings are not only a great way of sharing knowledge among countries, but they also allow the partners to update each other on their respective political contexts and marine issues. The Marine Task Force creates a space for international BirdLife partners to build a common position and develop a strategy for healthier seas - benefiting not only seabirds but also the people and coastal communities who depend on them. Photos by: Anouk Puymartin, Saskia Pelzer, Paulo Lago, and Pierre Farque. #MarineTaskForce #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

Last Monday, we celebrated the closing conference of the LIFE PanPuffinus! project in Malta, marking five years of international collaboration to protect the Yelkouan (Garnija) and Balearic (Garnija Balearika) Shearwaters. 🐦🌊 Discover how this €3.5 million project brought together five countries to tackle bycatch, control invasive species, and engage communities to strengthen seabird conservation. 📖 Read the full press release and watch the closing video here: birdlifemalta.org/2025/11/life-p… 🎨 Design: João Candeias #LIFEPanPuffinus #SeabirdConservation #BirdLifeMalta #YelkouanShearwater #BalearicShearwater #LIFEProgramme

The LIFE PanPuffinus! teams in Portugal and France spoke to their policy makers about the role decision makers have in helping to tackling seabird bycatch. They highlighted how change can only be brought about through policy based on science, and collaboration. 👉 Check out the full video here: youtu.be/kf8-cWeu470 @LPOFrance @OFBiodiversite #SeabirdConservation #StopBycatch #LIFEPanPuffinus #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

📸 “A Day of Fishing: Views on Purse Seine Fishing” — a new photo exhibition opened in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, honouring local fishers and the crew of the Virgem Dolorosa, lost at sea in 2024. The exhibition, part of the LIFE PanPuffinus! project (Action E1), showcases our collaboration with purse seine crews to protect the Balearic shearwater by reducing bycatch. It will travel to other ports throughout 2025, building awareness and cooperation for more sustainable seas. 🌊🐦 🔗 Learn more: lifepanpuffinus.org/photo-exhibiti… #BalearicShearwater #SeabirdConservation #Fishers #LIFEPanPuffinus Photos by Rafaela Pestana, SPEA #BalearicShearwater #SeabirdConservation #Fishers #LIFEPanPuffinus

Two weeks ago, our LIFE PanPuffinus! project manager Manya Russo took part in a conference and training seminar in Edinburgh focused on wind energy and its impact on seabirds. Together with partners from 14 BirdLife offices, the group explored the shared challenges of offshore development across Europe. The key takeaway? While renewable energy is vital, we must ensure seabirds are protected through solutions that mitiigate impacts and stronger research. Striking a balance between green energy and biodiversity is essential. #SeabirdConservation #WindEnergy #BirdLifeEurope

We’re always proud to share the important work we do—especially when we can reach and inspire thousands! 📺 Our LIFE PanPuffinus! Project Manager, Manya Russo, recently featured on NET TV’s Ġimgħa b’Ġimgħa to discuss the project as it enters its final year. She outlined key milestones, including: 🔹 Reports on the impact of invasive non-native species at shearwater colonies 🔹 New research into seabird bycatch risk and occurrence 🔹 Ongoing collaboration with fishers across all project countries Manya also spoke about the vital role the public plays in safeguarding Malta’s seabirds. 🐦🌊 Watch the interview and learn more about our work here 👉 lifepanpuffinus.org #LIFEPanPuffinus #SeabirdConservation #NatureMatters #SeabirdFridays #BirdLifeMalta

📍 On the occasion of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) currently taking place in Nice (France), LPO France organized, on the 5th of June, a conference on the prevention of seabird bycatch. 🐦 Representatives from BirdLife International, @BirdLifeEurope, and the French office for biodiversity (OFB) joined LPO to raise awareness about this major — and still too little-known — threat. Bycatch has been identified as the main threat to seabirds worldwide: it is the threat that affects the most individuals (>20% of all seabirds) and the second threat affecting the most species (100 species out of 359). 🎣 Fishers and conservationists are working hand in hand to better understand the issue and implement concrete solutions. During the session, initiatives at the global, European, and national levels were shared, with a spotlight on the LIFE PanPuffinus! project led in the Mediterranean in collaboration with professional fishers. 🌊 A great example of cooperation in action to protect marine biodiversity! #UNOC3 #LIFEPanPuffinus #BirdLifeMalta #ProtectSeabirds

🌿🐣 It’s nestling season! 🐣🌿 We’re now in the fluffiest and sweetest moment of the year: the Yelkouan Shearwater eggs have hatched, and the chicks are growing fast! Right now, they’re still in their nests, completely dependent and alone during the day while their parents are out at sea, returning almost every night with food. These quiet days at the nest are the most vulnerable time for the little ones. That’s why it’s essential to protect them from threats, especially invasive predators like rats! 🛑 So, what can you do to help? ✅ Take all your rubbish home, even organic waste like banana peels 🍌or apple cores 🍎! These may seem harmless, but they attract rats, which can easily find and prey on the chicks. ✅ Respect Nature Reserve legislations, such as the ones for Selmunett: These protect particularly sensitive spots, prohibiting disturbing activities including barbecues, picnics, camping and any visits beyond paths and at night. ✅ Keep noise and lights low near colonies. Bright lights and loud sounds can disturb both adults and chicks. Mariners should always follow official guidance to avoid sensitive areas. 📣 Spread the word! Awareness is one of the most powerful tools for conservation. Let’s work together to give these vulnerable seabirds the best start in life. 💛 #YelkouanShearwater #ChickSeason #SeabirdConservation #ProtectNature

Spring cleaning, seabird style! 🧹🐦 As the breeding season continues, shearwaters return to their nests not just to care for their eggs and chicks, but to get their homes in order. Shearwaters, like many seabirds, engage in moments of burrow and nest maintenance, where both members of a mated pair take part in a bit of “spring cleaning” — a behaviour that plays a critical role in their reproductive success. This behaviour includes meticulously cleaning out debris, shed feathers, and any organic material. This helps reduce the risk of parasites and mould, creating a healthier environment for their chicks. In our footage, we can see a Yelkouan Shearwater (Garnija) cleaning debris for two hours! ⏱️ It’s a small but vital step in giving their young the best possible start in life — proof that even in the wild, cleanliness counts! And if shearwaters can do it, so can you. ♻️ The message is simple: when camping or enjoying outdoor activities, always keep the area clean and free of litter. Invasive predators like rats are attracted by organic litter left in the countryside, and they can cause devastating effects on our seabird colonies by preying on eggs and chicks. Let’s all keep our nature clean and safe! 🌍🛡️

In advance of World Migration Day, have you ever wondered how scientists study bird migration? Through advanced tracking technologies such as satellite tags and geolocators, researchers can monitor birds' movements across vast oceans. Using lightweight tracking devices, scientists gather data on flight paths, stopover sites and feeding grounds—helping us better understand their behaviour and design effective conservation strategies. Juvenile Yelkouan Shearwaters from Maltese colonies embark on journeys of over 2,900 km, reaching the Aegean Sea, Adriatic Basin, and even North Africa. These extensive migrations highlight how widely these young birds range after leaving the nest. Check out a recent tracking study co-authored by our ornithologists, showcasing high-resolution tracking of fledged Yelkouans and revealing incredible insights into their post-fledging migration. Read the study here: researchgate.net/publication/38…) 📸Frank Dhermain and Hannah Greetham