Meeting description: We discussed the results of the latest Seabird Census which was published in late 2023 and the recently published Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu HPAI) survey results from 2022-23. We highlighted the fact that Scotland is internationally important for seabird populations and that seabirds are under pressure from climate change invasive non-native species overfishing and marine development such as offshore wind in combination with HPAI. We expressed the hope that the Biodiversity Strategy and forthcoming Seabird Conservation Strategy would contain actions which would make a real difference for seabirds such as island restoration and biosecurity and that they would be adequately resourced. We welcomed the recently announced ban on commercial sandeel trawling in Scottish waters. We discussed the need for dialogue and constructive engagement with coastal communities around what we see as the need for marine conservation. We agreed to keep the Member informed as we look into new ways of engaging with communities on these issues while highlighting work our area teams are already doing in partnership in areas such as Orkney and Shetland.
Topic label: Climate