BirdWatch Ireland in conjunction with BirdLife International, and supported by funding from the Flotilla Foundation, have identified 73 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) for seabirds in Ireland. These IBAs are the output of collating and analysing the best available science and data on the ecology of seabirds in Ireland against BirdLife International IBA criteria. They are not a form of designation or protected area though many IBAs in Ireland and Europe have been designated under law.
Of the 73 IBAs, there are 49 coastal IBAs at breeding/colony sites. Of these, 41 are already designated as Special Protection Areas for birds under the Birds Directive but require updating with the new data. And there are 8 new breeding sites which need to be designated. We have also identified 24 wholly marine IBAs. These are areas at sea that are important for feeding/and other aspects of the seabird lifecycle.
The map below shows the IBAs in orange and is interactive. If you click on an IBA, a pop up will show you:
Some of the IBAs for seabirds are already designated as Special Protection Areas or overlap with a Special Area of Conservation. The protected areas overlapping IBAs can be explored in this map.
We collated the best available data including Seabirds Count census data, ObServe aerial survey data, tracking data to determine seabird abundance and distribution in Irish waters. This data was assessed against BirdLife International criteria for Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and areas were identified. Our full report linked below details the methodology.
1.To designate all seabird IBAs as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds under the Birds Directive.
2.Where seabird IBAs overlap current SPAs, to review the relevant SPAs with the new information provided in this report, and revise boundaries and species data as appropriate.
3.To develop management plans in an open and transparent way in consultation with relevant stakeholders, with clearly defined and quantifiable science-based conservation objectives for all SPAs, and establish the protection measures necessary to achieve these objectives.
4.To develop, or support the development of, and utilise avian sensitivity maps to inform the strategic spatial planning of marine activities, in particular the development of offshore renewables, to ensure a comprehensive approach to the protection of Irish birds in the marine environment.
Michael D Higgins calls “younger people, informed people and many, many frustrated old people” to protect our oceans
BirdWatch Ireland Publishes 73 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas for Seabirds in Ireland
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