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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th September 2024
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Plan launched to protect North-East Atlantic seabirds
“There is sound scientific evidence that the documented declines in many of our marine birds are the result of human activities” – Matt Parsons.
Actions will be taken to reduce the impact of human activities.

An international action plan has been launched to stop the decline of North-East Atlantic seabird populations.

The Regional Action Plan for Marine Birds (RAP-Bird) has been agreed by OSPAR, the mechanism by which 15 governments and the European Union co-operate to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.

OSPAR's Quality Status Report 2023 revealed that the majority of seabirds are struggling, with widespread declines in both population and breeding productivity.

While climate change was identified as having the largest impact, the report found that other human activities including fishing, shipping, and renewable energy production also had significant impacts.

The aims of the new action plan include reducing the number of birds incidentally caught by the fishing industry, tackling the impact of offshore wind developments, and protecting breeding colonies from invasive predatory mammals.

Monitoring highly pathogenic avian influenza also forms part of the action plan. OSPAR will act as a forum for sharing best practice in monitoring the virus and responding to outbreaks. Other emerging diseases worldwide that could significantly impact wild birds will also be monitored.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has acted on behalf of the UK government during the development of the RAP-Bird and the organisation will be leading or co-leading four of the nine actions.

JNCC's Matt Parsons, who helped put together the RAP-Bird and will lead on flyways-scale conservation, said: “There is sound scientific evidence that the documented declines in many of our marine birds are the result of human activities.

“The good news is that through international collaboration - such as this ambitious OSPAR action plan – we can join forces across the region to apply our knowledge to improve the fortunes of these iconic species and the ecosystems they rely on.”

The full action plan can be read here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."