The behaviour of seabirds foraging at fishing boats around Shetland

摘要: Among the different types of fishing vessels around Shetland, whitefish trawlers attract largest numbers scavenging seabirds and provide most food. Offal was almost all consumed by seabirds, predominantly Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis, which excluded other species their aggression. generally ignored discarded whole fish, were mainly taken Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus, Gannets Sula bassana Skuas Catharacta skua. Although flatfish usually because found them difficult to swallow they sank faster, roundfish consumed. Herring L. argentatus, Lesser fuscus Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla rarely able obtain offal or discards. spent much time on periphery feeding flocks while attempted even join these. Most birds at in adult plumage, it is suggested that low proportion immature present a further reflection highly competitive conditions trawlers. We suggest likely changes practice seabird population sizes immediate future may result Gulls, finding waste increasingly difficult, so be displaced Fulmars, Gulls.