Puffinus mauretanicus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PROCELLARIIFORMES	PROCELLARIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Puffinus mauretanicus

Species Authority:

Lowe, 1921

Common Name/s:

English

–

Balearic Shearwater

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A4bcde ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Oro, D., McMinn, M., Porter, R., Arcos, J., Tanner, K.

Justification:
This species has a tiny breeding range and a small population which is undergoing an extremely rapid population decline owing to a number of threats, in particular predation at breeding colonies by introduced mammals and at-sea mortality as a result of interactions with commercial fisheries. Population models predict an extremely rapid decline over three generations (54 years), qualifying the species as Critically Endangered. However, recent records at sea indicate that this species may not have suffered declines as drastic as previously thought. Should the species have declined at a more moderate rate, or indeed, not at all, this species will warrant downlisting.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2005	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Puffinus mauretanicus breeds in the Balearic Islands, Spain. In 2005, the most complete survey to date estimated 2,000-2,400 breeding pairs at 24 different sites, with the islands of Mallorca having 350-550 pairs; Cabrera 50-100 pairs; Menorca 100-175 pairs; Ibiza 200-300 pairs and Formentera <1,000 pairs¹². The world population was until recently believed to number 8,000-10,000 individuals^7,11, however recent winter at-sea surveys and counts from Gibraltar of post-breeding birds leaving the Mediterranean suggest the total population may in fact lie within in the range 20,000-30,000 individuals¹⁵. This is supported by a count of at least 16,400 individuals off Valencia in December 2009¹⁸. Reasons for the discrepancy between breeding and non-breeding population estimates are unclear, but it is most likely that this species has a particularly large floating population of immatures and non-breeders. On Cabrera Island, 60% of the colonies have disappeared in the last few decades, while a 2004 survey of Formentera (where c.50% of the world population breeds) did not record any breeding in all 30 suitable caves visited in a single cliff⁴. Population viability analysis has shown that in the presence of environmental and demographic stochasticities, mean extinction time for the world population was estimated at 40.4 years, and mean growth rate showed a 7.4% decrease each year⁴. In winter, it occurs in the Balearic Sea and off the north-east Spanish coast with most of the population traditionally concentrated between Valencia and Catalonia from November to February, however in winter 2007/2008 significant numbers (with a peak count of 710 birds) remained off the coast of Brittany (France), perhaps in response to unusual sea surface temperatures²¹. Some birds migrate north in summer to seas off the British Isles and the south of the Scandinavian Peninsula¹. Numbers recorded in the traditional post-breeding quarters have declined since the mid-1990, with a corresponding increase in numbers along the coasts of northern France and south-west U.K^7,16 (including an exceptional gathering of 4,600 in the Baie de Lannion, Brittany in August 2010)¹⁹.
Countries:	Native: Algeria; France; Gibraltar; Ireland; Morocco; Portugal; Spain; United Kingdom; United States; United States; United States Vagrant: Belgium; Cape Verde; Denmark; Germany; Israel; Italy; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Sweden; Tunisia Present - origin uncertain: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Egypt; Faroe Islands; Greece; Libyan Arab Jamahiriya; Malta; Monaco; Montenegro; Slovenia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Rodríguez and McMinn (2005) estimated 2,000-2,400 breeding pairs and 8,000-10,000 individuals in total, however winter at-sea surveys along the Iberian Shelf as part of the LIFE project to identify marine IBAs produced an estimate of 25,000-30,000 individuals (J. M. Arcos in litt. 2008), and counts of >18,000 birds past Gibraltar in May-July 2008 were extrapolated to a total of 20,000-25,000 individuals by Gonzalo Muñoz/Fundación Migres. These data are difficult to reconcile, but a precautionary estimate of 6,000-10,000 mature individuals is considered appropriate (J. M. Arcos, D. Oro and I Ramírez in litt. 2009).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Rodríguez and McMinn (2005) estimated 2,000-2,400 breeding pairs and 8,000-10,000 individuals in total, however winter at-sea surveys along the Iberian Shelf as part of the LIFE project to identify marine IBAs produced an estimate of 25,000-30,000 individuals (J. M. Arcos in litt. 2008), and counts of >18,000 birds past Gibraltar in May-July 2008 were extrapolated to a total of 20,000-25,000 individuals by Gonzalo Muñoz/Fundación Migres. These data are difficult to reconcile, but a precautionary estimate of 6,000-10,000 mature individuals is considered appropriate (J. M. Arcos, D. Oro and I Ramírez in litt. 2009).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It breeds on cliffs and small islets, is very philopatric, and lays only one egg. Adult birds do not commence breeding until their third year⁷. Breeding takes place between February and June. When raising young, adult birds form concentrations on the east coast of Spain¹, where they mostly inhabit the productive continental shelf and associated fronts where high prey concentrations occur around the Ebro Delta⁶. Most birds leave the Mediterranean for a post-breeding moult in the Bay of Biscay, although some remain in the Alboran Sea¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

It breeds on cliffs and small islets, is very philopatric, and lays only one egg. Adult birds do not commence breeding until their third year⁷. Breeding takes place between February and June. When raising young, adult birds form concentrations on the east coast of Spain¹, where they mostly inhabit the productive continental shelf and associated fronts where high prey concentrations occur around the Ebro Delta⁶. Most birds leave the Mediterranean for a post-breeding moult in the Bay of Biscay, although some remain in the Alboran Sea¹.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This is a long-lived species and therefore immediate threats affect adult mortality rates. Adult survival is the main conservation concern, as this is unusually low for a Procellariiform⁴. Threats include predation by introduced cats, genets and rats^1,13,14. Presence of rabbits at some colonies where they compete for nest sites or degrade habitat may be a problem¹³. Kleptoparasitism by Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis is a problem at some colonies¹³, and regular nocturnal predation by Peregrines Falco peregrinus has recently been observed at a breeding site on Menorca (15 dead birds found in 30 days in 2008 and 21 in 37 days in 2009)²⁰. Long-line fishing appears to be a more significant threat than previously thought as birds become hooked and then drown. The species's gregarious behaviour and its close association with fishing boats means that occasional "mass mortality" occurs when long-line boats fish close to flocks. Such an event probably caused the death of c.50 birds near Tarragona in 1999-2000¹. Fish waste from trawl fishing has become a very important source of food during the reproductive period, as other sources of food, e.g small pelagic fish populations, have declined^{1, 10}. A reduction in the amount of this waste that is disposed of at sea, along with a ban on trawl fishing during two months in spring, could be a serious threat to the species and reduce its reproductive success¹. The National Hydrological Plan (Spain) will reduce the amount of nutrients discharged at the Ebro delta and this will further reduce fish stocks in this key feeding zone¹. Available habitat for breeding is decreasing through encroachment by mammalian predators and urbanisation of the coastal zone. This is concerning as the species apparently has greater difficulty in recolonising suitable habitat than other shearwaters¹. Pollution is a possible threat, e.g. from hydrocarbons and high mercury levels¹. The mercury problem might be accentuated as the sea area close to the Ebro delta has higher than normal mercury levels¹. The potential threat of oil pollution should not be ignored. There is limited harvesting of adult birds on Formentera, which may have had a very negative effect over recent decades¹. The gradual northward movement of the non-breeding population may be affecting adult survival, and this shift may be due to climate change or alterations in fish distributions as a result of fisheries' activities^7,9. The recent demographic decline has not yet decreased the species's genetic variability, and connectivity found among colonies at least does not exacerbate the species's extinction risk.¹⁰

Major Threat(s):

This is a long-lived species and therefore immediate threats affect adult mortality rates. Adult survival is the main conservation concern, as this is unusually low for a Procellariiform⁴. Threats include predation by introduced cats, genets and rats^1,13,14. Presence of rabbits at some colonies where they compete for nest sites or degrade habitat may be a problem¹³. Kleptoparasitism by Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis is a problem at some colonies¹³, and regular nocturnal predation by Peregrines Falco peregrinus has recently been observed at a breeding site on Menorca (15 dead birds found in 30 days in 2008 and 21 in 37 days in 2009)²⁰. Long-line fishing appears to be a more significant threat than previously thought as birds become hooked and then drown. The species's gregarious behaviour and its close association with fishing boats means that occasional "mass mortality" occurs when long-line boats fish close to flocks. Such an event probably caused the death of c.50 birds near Tarragona in 1999-2000¹. Fish waste from trawl fishing has become a very important source of food during the reproductive period, as other sources of food, e.g small pelagic fish populations, have declined^{1, 10}. A reduction in the amount of this waste that is disposed of at sea, along with a ban on trawl fishing during two months in spring, could be a serious threat to the species and reduce its reproductive success¹. The National Hydrological Plan (Spain) will reduce the amount of nutrients discharged at the Ebro delta and this will further reduce fish stocks in this key feeding zone¹. Available habitat for breeding is decreasing through encroachment by mammalian predators and urbanisation of the coastal zone. This is concerning as the species apparently has greater difficulty in recolonising suitable habitat than other shearwaters¹. Pollution is a possible threat, e.g. from hydrocarbons and high mercury levels¹. The mercury problem might be accentuated as the sea area close to the Ebro delta has higher than normal mercury levels¹. The potential threat of oil pollution should not be ignored. There is limited harvesting of adult birds on Formentera, which may have had a very negative effect over recent decades¹. The gradual northward movement of the non-breeding population may be affecting adult survival, and this shift may be due to climate change or alterations in fish distributions as a result of fisheries' activities^7,9. The recent demographic decline has not yet decreased the species's genetic variability, and connectivity found among colonies at least does not exacerbate the species's extinction risk.¹⁰

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway In 2000, the Balearic government designated three new Special Protection Areas such that all the Important Bird Areas for nesting Puffinus mauretanicus are now protected¹. Rats have successfully been eradicated from Estell Xapat, Esclatasang, Redonda and Imperial (all Cabrera), and are under control on Dragonera, Conills and Malgrats. Other target islands include Eivissa and Espalmador¹³. Funds have been made available for the removal and control of mammalian predators from various colonies on Mallorca and Formentera¹. A number of actions are currently being implemented through Species Guardians SEO and SPEA as part of BirdLife's Preventing Extinctions programme. Research is underway on mortality in longline fisheries: SPEA has produced a questionnaire for fishermen and started to carry out individual interviews with fishermen at seven fish ports, and a bycatch report assessment was scheduled for production in 2009. 1,000 copies of a best-practice guide for fishermen, with information on bycatch and seabirds, were produced by SPEA in a calendar format for December 2008-March 2010 for fishermen in Portugal. Action Plans for the species have been published at local, national or international level in 1991, 1999, 2004, and 2005¹⁴. A LIFE project for the species ran from 1991-2001¹⁴, and Spain and Portugal had a joint LIFE project running from 2004-2008 aimed at identifying marine IBAs, including for this species¹⁵. The first inventory of marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Portugal was published in 2008, identifying important areas for Balearic Shearwater. The Spanish marine IBA inventory project ended in 2009 with the publication of a book of marine IBAs in Spain. A new continuing LIFE+ project started in 2009 with the aim of integrating the marine IBAs in the Natura 2000 network and developing the appropriate management plans for the Special Protected Areas, and the results of the marine IBA project will be presented to regional governments. Work is underway to identify and delineate breeding and non-breeding foraging and congregatory areas, as well as migratory routes, for designation as SPAs in several European countries^8,9,11. Coordinated efforts to estimate the global population size are underway, through updated information at the breeding colonies and censuses at sea. Biannual surveys have taken place off the Portuguese coast since 2005, and a network of observers carries out simultaneous counts of birds off the Catalunyan coast. Aerial and oceanographic surveys have been carried out, revealing hotspots for the species along the continental shelf. Conservation Actions Proposed Control and eradicate predators in breeding colonies identified to be at risk. Evaluate eradication of rabbits. Thoroughly study the problem of bycatch by long-line fishing and develop awareness campaigns directed at the fishing industry, in order to mitigate this threat. Ensure effective protection for nesting sites and monitor management plans. Raise awareness and stop human exploitation. Study small pelagic fish populations in the western Mediterranean and in the Vizcaya gulf to assess extent of over-exploitation and how this affects Balearic Shearwaters. Ensure that bans on trawl fishing are coordinated to avoid the total absence of fishing waste. Assess the impact of pollutants and heavy metals on this species. Develop a rapid response plan for a potential oil spill close to main feeding and breeding areas. Improve understanding of at-sea distribution, including during the non-breeding season. Establish a marine protective zone with strict protection measures in the area of the Ebro river and the sea around the Cap de la Nao¹⁷.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
In 2000, the Balearic government designated three new Special Protection Areas such that all the Important Bird Areas for nesting Puffinus mauretanicus are now protected¹. Rats have successfully been eradicated from Estell Xapat, Esclatasang, Redonda and Imperial (all Cabrera), and are under control on Dragonera, Conills and Malgrats. Other target islands include Eivissa and Espalmador¹³. Funds have been made available for the removal and control of mammalian predators from various colonies on Mallorca and Formentera¹. A number of actions are currently being implemented through Species Guardians SEO and SPEA as part of BirdLife's Preventing Extinctions programme. Research is underway on mortality in longline fisheries: SPEA has produced a questionnaire for fishermen and started to carry out individual interviews with fishermen at seven fish ports, and a bycatch report assessment was scheduled for production in 2009. 1,000 copies of a best-practice guide for fishermen, with information on bycatch and seabirds, were produced by SPEA in a calendar format for December 2008-March 2010 for fishermen in Portugal. Action Plans for the species have been published at local, national or international level in 1991, 1999, 2004, and 2005¹⁴. A LIFE project for the species ran from 1991-2001¹⁴, and Spain and Portugal had a joint LIFE project running from 2004-2008 aimed at identifying marine IBAs, including for this species¹⁵. The first inventory of marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Portugal was published in 2008, identifying important areas for Balearic Shearwater. The Spanish marine IBA inventory project ended in 2009 with the publication of a book of marine IBAs in Spain. A new continuing LIFE+ project started in 2009 with the aim of integrating the marine IBAs in the Natura 2000 network and developing the appropriate management plans for the Special Protected Areas, and the results of the marine IBA project will be presented to regional governments. Work is underway to identify and delineate breeding and non-breeding foraging and congregatory areas, as well as migratory routes, for designation as SPAs in several European countries^8,9,11. Coordinated efforts to estimate the global population size are underway, through updated information at the breeding colonies and censuses at sea. Biannual surveys have taken place off the Portuguese coast since 2005, and a network of observers carries out simultaneous counts of birds off the Catalunyan coast. Aerial and oceanographic surveys have been carried out, revealing hotspots for the species along the continental shelf.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Control and eradicate predators in breeding colonies identified to be at risk. Evaluate eradication of rabbits. Thoroughly study the problem of bycatch by long-line fishing and develop awareness campaigns directed at the fishing industry, in order to mitigate this threat. Ensure effective protection for nesting sites and monitor management plans. Raise awareness and stop human exploitation. Study small pelagic fish populations in the western Mediterranean and in the Vizcaya gulf to assess extent of over-exploitation and how this affects Balearic Shearwaters. Ensure that bans on trawl fishing are coordinated to avoid the total absence of fishing waste. Assess the impact of pollutants and heavy metals on this species. Develop a rapid response plan for a potential oil spill close to main feeding and breeding areas. Improve understanding of at-sea distribution, including during the non-breeding season. Establish a marine protective zone with strict protection measures in the area of the Ebro river and the sea around the Cap de la Nao¹⁷.

Bibliography [top]

	Aguilar, J. S. 1999. Species Action Plan for the Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus in Europe. Arsuaga, M. L. 2006. Conservation biology of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: bridging the gaps between breeding colonies and marine foraging grounds. PhD. Genovart, M.; Oro, D.; Juste, J.; Bertorelle, G. 2007. What genetics tell us about the conservation of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater. Biological Conservation 137(2): 283-293. Gutiérrez, R. 2003. The Balearic Shearwater: apparently heading for extinction. Birding World 16: 260-263. Igual, J.M.; Afan, I.; Santana, C.; Oro, D. 2004. Confirmación de cría de la Pardela Balear Puffinus mauretanicus en el islote de Es Bosc, Parque Natural de Cala d'Hort, Ibiza. Anuari Ornitologic de les Balears 19: 11-13. Jones, H.P., Tershy, B.R., Zavaleta, E.S., Croll, D.A., Keitt, B.S., Finkelstein, M.E. and Howald, G.R. 2008. Severity of the effects of invasive rats on seabirds: a global review. Conservation Biology 22(1): 16-26. Louzao, M.; Arcos, J.M.; Hyrenbach, D. K.; Abello, P.; Gil de Sola, L.; Oro, D. 2004. Resultados preliminares sobre el hábitat de alimentación de la Pardela Balear en el Levante Ibérico Peninsular. Anuari Ornitologic de les Balears 19: 61-67. Louzao, M.; Arcos, J. M.; Oro, D. 2006. Biologia de la conservació d'un ocell críticament amenaçat: la Baldrijta Puffinus mauretanicus. Anuari Ornitologic de les Balears 21: 43-49. Mourino, J.; Arcos, F.; Salvadores, R.; Sandoval, A.; Vidal, C. 2003. Status of the Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) on the Galician coast (NW Iberian peninsula). Scientia Marina 67: 135-142. Oro, D.; Aguilar, J. S.; Igual, J. M.; Louzao, M. 2004. Modelling demography and extinction risk in the endangered Balearic shearwater. Biological Conservation 116: 93-102. Wynn, R. B.; Josey, S. A.; Martin, A. P.; Johns, D. G.; Yésou, P. 2007. Climate-driven range expansion of a critically endangered top predator in northeast Atlantic waters. 3(5): 529-532. Wynn, R. B.; Yésou, P. undated. Changing status of the Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) in northwestern European waters. Yesou, P. 2003. Recent changes in the summer distribution of Balearic Shearwaters (Puffinus mauretanicus) off western France. Scientia Marina 67: 143-148.

Aguilar, J. S. 1999. Species Action Plan for the Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus in Europe.

Arsuaga, M. L. 2006. Conservation biology of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: bridging the gaps between breeding colonies and marine foraging grounds. PhD.

Genovart, M.; Oro, D.; Juste, J.; Bertorelle, G. 2007. What genetics tell us about the conservation of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater. Biological Conservation 137(2): 283-293.

Gutiérrez, R. 2003. The Balearic Shearwater: apparently heading for extinction. Birding World 16: 260-263.

Igual, J.M.; Afan, I.; Santana, C.; Oro, D. 2004. Confirmación de cría de la Pardela Balear Puffinus mauretanicus en el islote de Es Bosc, Parque Natural de Cala d'Hort, Ibiza. Anuari Ornitologic de les Balears 19: 11-13.

Jones, H.P., Tershy, B.R., Zavaleta, E.S., Croll, D.A., Keitt, B.S., Finkelstein, M.E. and Howald, G.R. 2008. Severity of the effects of invasive rats on seabirds: a global review. Conservation Biology 22(1): 16-26.

Louzao, M.; Arcos, J.M.; Hyrenbach, D. K.; Abello, P.; Gil de Sola, L.; Oro, D. 2004. Resultados preliminares sobre el hábitat de alimentación de la Pardela Balear en el Levante Ibérico Peninsular. Anuari Ornitologic de les Balears 19: 61-67.

Louzao, M.; Arcos, J. M.; Oro, D. 2006. Biologia de la conservació d'un ocell críticament amenaçat: la Baldrijta Puffinus mauretanicus. Anuari Ornitologic de les Balears 21: 43-49.

Mourino, J.; Arcos, F.; Salvadores, R.; Sandoval, A.; Vidal, C. 2003. Status of the Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) on the Galician coast (NW Iberian peninsula). Scientia Marina 67: 135-142.

Oro, D.; Aguilar, J. S.; Igual, J. M.; Louzao, M. 2004. Modelling demography and extinction risk in the endangered Balearic shearwater. Biological Conservation 116: 93-102.

Wynn, R. B.; Josey, S. A.; Martin, A. P.; Johns, D. G.; Yésou, P. 2007. Climate-driven range expansion of a critically endangered top predator in northeast Atlantic waters. 3(5): 529-532.

Wynn, R. B.; Yésou, P. undated. Changing status of the Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) in northwestern European waters.

Yesou, P. 2003. Recent changes in the summer distribution of Balearic Shearwaters (Puffinus mauretanicus) off western France. Scientia Marina 67: 143-148.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Puffinus mauretanicus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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