Following observations of a decline in Burhou’s puffin population and concerns of disturbance impacting breeding success, the AWT, in collaboration with the States of Alderney, the Alderney Marine Management Forum, Alderney Harbour Office and local fishermen, designated a “Puffin Friendly Zone” in 2018. This zone, which is in place during the puffin breeding season, aims to provide the puffins with a safe area to rest, undisturbed by visiting or passing boats. Puffins are easily disturbed when rafting on the water, leading them to take flight which uses up vital energy reserves and interrupts feeding and parenting habits. This disturbance can have a significant impact on breeding success.
Atlantic puffins are currently listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species in Europe, with rapid population declines likely due to threats including human disturbance, climate change, renewable energy production, pollution and shifting species distributions. Such threats, compounded with the species low breeding rates (1 chick per pair per year), makes puffins very sensitive species.
We kindly ask all mariners to help protect puffins by following the associated code of conduct (below) when near Burhou. Anyone can help by raising awareness of the Puffin Friendly Zone and helping to police it by informing the Alderney Harbour Office or the AWT if they see marine users within the zone.
Français - La « zone de refuge pour les macareux »
La « zone de refuge pour les macareux » est située au large de Burhou (un îlot situé à environ 23 km de la côte normande). Pendant la saison de reproduction du macareux moine, de mars à août, il est recommandé aux utilisateurs de la mer de ne pas entrer dans la zone protégée et de réduire au maximum la vitesse et le bruit lorsqu'ils se trouvent à proximité de Burhou.
