The fulmar and fish waste from trawlers
The fulmar is found mostly in the northern part of the Dutch Continental Shelf. The species profits from the fish waste dumped at sea by fishing vessels.
Current situation
The fulmar is a seabird par excellence that is rarely seen along the coast except during stormy weather. The northern part of the Dutch Continental Shelf is an attractive foraging area for the species; appreciable numbers were counted here, especially from August to November, when the juveniles have taken to the wing. During these months the sightings are an average of two fulmars per km2, rising to dozens of fulmars per km2 in areas where the birds congregate. At other times of the year the concentrations are appreciably lower.
Trends
The fulmar seems to have increased in the last 30 years. In the period 1991-1999 there was no clear trend: densities fluctuated hugely from year to year. The fulmar profits from the waste dumped overboard from fishing vessels, but plastic flotsam causes problems.
Technical note
The map shows the distribution of the fulmar in August and September 1999. The pattern has remained fairly constant over the years. The data are from the Directorate-General of Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat).
References
- Berrevoets, C. en F.A. Arts (2001). Ruimtelijke analyses van zeevogels: verspreiding van de Noordse stormvogel op het Nederlands Continentaal Plat. Rapport RIKZ/2001.024. Middelburg.
- Bijlsma, R.G., F. Hustings en C.J. Camphuysen (2001). Algemene en schaarse vogels in Nederland. Avifauna van Nederland 2. GMB Uitgeverij en KNNV. Haarlem.
