That the Parliament believes that Scotland has internationally important seabird populations, including, at the last assessment, 60% of the world's great skuas and almost half, 48%, of the world's northern gannets, with the biggest colony on Earth being found at the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth, along with important common tern colonies, including one in a special protection area at Leith docks; recognises that the country has international and domestic obligations to protect and enhance these species; understands with concern that 70% of Scotland's national populations are in decline, according to the latest seabird census and notes the view that action is needed to address this; further understands that the proposed Scottish Government Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan sets out many measures that would protect seabird prey fish supplies, end the ongoing bycatch of seabirds by fisheries, clear seabird islands of invasive predators and prevent them from returning, and that it would protect, appropriately, important areas for seabirds, both on land and at sea; considers that many people in Scotland care deeply about the fate of puffins, gannets, terns and other seabird species, and acknowledges the view that timely, collaborative action is needed to preserve their future on Scotland’s coasts and islands.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Foysol Choudhury, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Rona Mackay, John Mason, Liam McArthur, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Emma Roddick, Alex Rowley, Mark Ruskell, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Elena Whitham