The rapid expansion of offshore wind farms in the North Sea poses a collision risk, particularly for juveniles who tend to forage closer to the coast where these turbines are often situated. The Road to Recovery
) conducted by experts such as (whose work often appears with Barbera in citations) and Nigel Collar . These researchers are known for documenting the impact of marine debris and entanglements on seabird populations. Download File Barbera & Collar - Gannet.zip
One of the most pressing issues identified in the research is the high incidence of . Gannets often mistake brightly colored plastic, such as red fishing lines or synthetic nets, for nesting material. The rapid expansion of offshore wind farms in
Recent outbreaks of H5N1 have caused mass mortality. Interestingly, some survivors develop a permanent black iris , which serves as a visible marker of their resilience against the virus. One of the most pressing issues identified in
Warming waters are driving key prey species, like mackerel and capelin, further north. This forces gannets to fly longer distances for food, increasing their energy expenditure and decreasing breeding success.
Beyond plastic, gannets are facing a "perfect storm" of environmental stressors: