The wings of the sea. The recovery of the little Balearic shearwater (virot) and other Balearic seabirds

The project

The little shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus, is an endemic and threatened species whose breeding colonies are found exclusively in the Balearic Islands. However, it is not the only threatened seabird in the Balearic Islands, where the large shearwater, the red gull and the cormorant (vulnerable species) also nest.

All these species are catalogued both in Spain and in Europe, and practically all the colonies are included the Natura 2000 Network spaces. Seabirds and tourism exist side-by-side along the coast of the island.  While breeding colonies are found in unspoilt locations (islets, cliffs), the species’ mobility puts them in frequent contact with the humans who use the coast, such as sailors, bathers, walkers, etc.

Most people who have visited the Balearic Islands have most likely found themselves at some point a few metres away from some of these species and not even realised it. Knowing this could promote the environmental component of tourism in this regard, and the resulting improvement in people’s attitudes towards the environment.

Furthermore, seabird watching should be part of the naturalistic tourism activities on offer in the Balearic Islands, given its potential to generate employment potential for local professionals (natural tourism companies, guides, etc.) and economic opportunities in spring and autumn (outside of the sun and beach season).

With all this in mind, the following are the main actions that will therefore take place through this project:

- The restoration of the biological colony (removing invasive species of colonies).

- A reduction in man-made deaths (intentional or accidental catches).

- Prevention of risks due to human activity (accidental spills, infrastructure sites that may affect the species, etc.).

- Ensuring the monitoring of the populations.