AMPLIAMAR project: Expanding marine protected areas by identifying Key Biodiversity Areas through seabird remote tracking

Seabirds face a rapid and unprecedented decline worldwide. In the past sixty years, global seabird populations have decreased by 70%, and approximately 30% of species are now threatened. These declines are driven by various factors, including accidental bycatch in fishing gear, overfishing, pollution, marine infrastructure such as wind farms and oil platforms and climate change, which alters habitats and food sources.

To address these pressing issues, the AMPLIAMAR project focuses on identifying and protecting Key Marine Biodiversity areas (KBAs) in Spanish waters, formulating a purpose for expanding the Spanish Marine Protected Areas (RAMPE). KBAs are specific regions critical for the survival and health of biodiversity, particularly for species or ecosystems of global or regional conservation significance. Identifying and protecting KBAs is at the core of the AMPLIAMAR project, which seeks to safeguard essential habitats for seabirds and other marine species. Specifically, the project focuses on (1) locating KBAs through GPS telemetry, identifying essential feeding, resting, and breeding zones for seabirds; (2) integrating human activity data to analyze overlaps between seabird habitats and activities such as fishing; and (3) supporting data-driven policy recommendations to enhance marine conservation efforts effectively.

The project, led by the University of Barcelona from 2024 to 2026, employs advanced GPS telemetry to track seabird movements with high spatial and temporal resolution. This approach allows researchers to gather detailed information on the behaviour and habitat use of well-studied and lesser-known seabird species. The project’s coordinator, Jacob González-Solís, highlights the value of this technology: “GPS telemetry reveals with great precision the main areas where seabirds feed and rest. This knowledge is crucial for identifying the habitats most in need of protection.” The team also uses standardized analytical tools to process GPS data, ensuring consistency and reliability. Diego Vicente, coordinator of the project and a member of the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Barcelona, explains that the use of GPS technology connected to mobile phone systems, such as GSM, will enable tracking of elusive species that are difficult to recapture, like the Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) in the Canary Islands, which is currently in decline in the archipelago. This innovative approach will provide crucial data for the conservation of vulnerable species. Additionally, human activity data, particularly fishing-related, is integrated to understand potential conflicts and synergies between conservation and marine resource use.

The project is supported by the Fundación Biodiversidad, under the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, through the Pleamar Program co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA) of the European Union. Collaborators include the fishing guilds of Ciutadella and San Pedro del Pinatar, the Andalusian Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds (FACOPE), and the Provincial Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds of Alicante.

The expected outcomes of AMPLIAMAR include an enhanced understanding of seabird movements, with detailed maps identifying KBAs that highlight essential feeding, resting, and breeding zones. These insights aim to improve marine conservation strategies by informing proposals for expanding RAMPE and addressing threats to biodiversity. Additionally, the project seeks to strengthen collaboration by fostering partnerships among researchers, fishing communities, and policymakers, ensuring that conservation goals are aligned with sustainable resource use. Overall, AMPLIAMAR marks a significant step toward safeguarding seabirds and marine ecosystems, contributing to a more sustainable future for these critical environments. 

As the AMPLIAMAR project progresses, we will continue to share updates on its findings and impact on seabird conservation and marine biodiversity protection.