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Lesser Black-backed Gull distribution at Trawlers and food availability in the Celtic Sea, 1991 1992

Abstract

This study involved two components: direct observations of the numbers of lesser black-backed gulls feeding at sea behind trawlers, and a review of information available on the Celtic Sea fisheries. This report presents the results of an investigation into the availability of food behind trawlers and the number of lesser black-backed gulls exploiting this food source.

Counts of lesser black-backed gulls associated with fishing vessels in the Celtic Sea, St. George's Channel and southern Irish Sea were made prior to and during the breeding season in 1991. Information on quantities offish discarded and fishing effort (hours fished) for the Celtic Sea Nephrops and demersal fisheries are reviewed. Quantities of fish discarded (both total number discarded and number per hour fishing) increased throughout the 1980s in spite of an increase in mesh size. Fishing effort has also increased.

Numbers of lesser black-backed gulls associated with fishing vessels were low, especially during the chick-rearing period. Large proportions of the flocks behind trawlers in May and June were immature birds. It is suggested that a possible reason for the low breeding success in 1991 may be due to low numbers of fishing vessels operating near the colonies during the chick-rearing period, and it is possible that this was also the case in 1989 and 1990.

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Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 1992··

Citation
Stone, C.J., Webb, A. & Carter, I.C. (1992) Lesser Black-backed Gull distribution at trawlers and food availability in the Celtic Sea, 1991. JNCC Report 106. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091

Lineage
This report presents the results of an investigation into the availability of food behind trawlers and the number of lesser black-backed gulls exploiting this food source.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2025·12·19

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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