Seabird sanctuary extended after fall in breeding puffins

THOUSANDS of puffins and other seabirds are expected to benefit from the expansion of a protected area along Britain’s coastline amid fears over dwindling numbers.

The Flamborough Head and Filey Coast special protection area (SPA) in East Yorkshire is being extended by more than 7,600 hectares (18,800 acres) to better protect England’s largest seabird colony. It will give a quarter of a million breeding birds – including puffins, gannets and razorbills – a safer space for feeding and foraging.

The Daily Telegraph revealed in March how National Trust rangers on the Farne Islands in Northumberland found the number of breeding puffin pairs had fallen by 12 per cent. A combination of climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution and extreme weather had left the birds struggling to survive.

Natural England, the Government conservation agency, has also launched a consultation on plans to extend the nearby Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA by nearly 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) to help protect breeding little terns and common terns.

Special protection areas are designated under the EU’S birds directive, which requires countries to protect habitats for rare, vulnerable and migratory birds. The EU Withdrawal Bill will make sure environmental rules including marine protected areas set up under EU directives will continue to be protected under UK law, officials said.

The announcement comes during National Marine Week.

Thérèse Coffey, the environment minister, said: “These new safeguards for seabirds will help our most precious and iconic wildlife to thrive, and protect our marine environment for future generations to enjoy.”