Behavioural interactions of seabirds with suspended mussel longlines |
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Authors: | Daphne Roycroft Thomas C Kelly Lesley J Lewis |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, National University of Ireland, Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland |
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Abstract: | Increased abundances of a number of seabird species have been found in areas of mussel longline aquaculture (compared to control
sites) in a recent study at Bantry Bay, southwest Ireland. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this form of mussel
aquaculture also affects the activity budgets and foraging behaviour of these seabirds. Scan-sampling was used to compare
seabird activity budgets between three areas of mussel longline aquaculture and three control sites. Foraging activities of
Great-Northern Divers Gavia immer, an Annex 1 species under the Euopean Union's Birds Directive, were also compared between sites using focal sampling. The
behaviour of gulls (Larus sp.), Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo, Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis and Great-Northern Divers (but not auks, Alcidae) differed significantly between areas of mussel aquaculture and control
sites in this study. Mussel suspension buoys were heavily utilized by gulls, cormorants and shags as safe perching platforms
for preening activities. Gulls also fed extensively on epifauna attached to the buoys. Great-Northern Divers spent more time
snorkelling (head submerged in search of food) in mussel sites than in the control sites, however dive duration and visible
foraging success rates did not differ significantly between sites. Overall, the environmental impact of mussel suspension
culture appears to be positive or neutral on marine bird species occurring at this study site. |
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Keywords: | Activity budget Foraging success Ireland Coast Mussel suspension aquaculture Seabirds |
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