AVES MARINHAS NO BRASIL: DESAFIOS PARA A CONSERVAÇÃO

Abstract

Seabirds make up 3.5% of the existing birds, with highly specialized adaptations for life in the oceans. In Brazil, with a vast stretch of coast along 40° latitude and 7000 Km, in addition to coastal and oceanic islands, approximately one third of the seabird species occur. Despite its long and peculiar evolutionary history, this group is among the vertebrates with highest risk of extinction, due to human activities. In the current synthesis we present threats and actions for seabird conservation in Brazil aiming raise awareness in the society, environmental managers, and government on the topic. Among the current threats are incidental capture in fisheries, marine pollution, predation by introduced species, habitat degradation, and human disturbance in colonies and resting areas. Future threats comprise emerging human activities such as the installation of offshore wind turbines. To mitigate these threats, several conservation actions have been implemented under two national conservation action plans, including one specific to albatrosses and petrels and another general to other threatened seabird species. Conservation actions in Brazil include the establishment of measures to mitigate the capture in fisheries, the eradication of invasive species, monitoring of colonies and awareness campaigns. In general, the current scenario is worrying and requires actions from governmental agencies, such as to allocate resources and teams to inspect activities which are known to impact seabirds, such as fishing, as well as closely monitor the licensing of at sea activities. From the society, it is expected a greater awareness of the problems regarding seabird conservation, as well as care when performing tourist activities in resting areas or near colonies, in addition to conscious consumption and appropriate waste disposal.