Photo exhibition honours fishers and deepens cooperation within the LIFE PanPuffinus! project
Photo exhibition honours fishers and raises awareness on seabird bycatch, as part of the LIFE PanPuffinus! project in Portuguese fishing ports.
Protecting Malta’s seabirds: LIFE PanPuffinus! Project featured on NET TV
13 June, 2025 BirdLife Malta’s LIFE PanPuffinus! Project Manager, Manya Russo, recently appeared on NET TV’s Ġimgħa b’Ġimgħa to share updates from the project. The EU-funded LIFE PanPuffinus! project is now in its final year, with conservation milestones achieved for Malta’s vulnerable seabird species. During the interview, Manya highlighted the team’s latest work on protecting…
Study on Shearwater diets call for improved protection of Mediterranean food webs
6 June, 2025 A new scientific study sheds light on the feeding habits of two important seabird species found in Malta—Scopoli’s and Yelkouan Shearwaters. The study, recently published in the journal Marine Biology, was carried out in collaboration between several researchers including Martin Austad at BirdLife Malta, Lucie Michel, Juan F. Masello, Sven Griep and…
Tracking seabird migration: New study reveals secrets of Yelkouan Shearwaters
9 May, 2025 Scientists are shedding light on how birds like the Yelkouan Shearwater navigate thousands of kilometres at sea. Using lightweight tracking devices—such as satellite tags and geolocators—researchers now follow birds across oceans to learn about their routes and behaviours. These tools help identify important feeding areas, stopover sites, and threats, ultimately guiding stronger…
LIFE PanPuffinus! featured in EU Researcher magazine
18 March, 2025 BirdLife Malta’s LIFE PanPuffinus! project has been spotlighted in EU Researcher, a magazine reaching millions across Europe. The article, written by project manager Manya Russo, introduces the project’s goals and its impact on seabird conservation in Malta. It highlights the urgent need to address seabird bycatch—when seabirds are accidentally caught in fishing gear—and…
Young scientists take flight at bird migration forum
1 March, 2025 The LIFE PanPuffinus! team recently welcomed 6th form and university students to the Malta Science Students Forum at Salina Nature Reserve. This year’s theme focused on bird migration, with students presenting their research and showing strong interest in science and conservation. BirdLife Malta staff gave a keynote speech, highlighting efforts to track…
BirdLife Malta’s position paper on tackling seabird bycatch under new fisheries rules featured in Sunday Newspaper
3 January, 2025 A new position paper released by BirdLife Malta under the LIFE PanPuffinus! project is calling for smarter fisheries management to tackle the issue of seabird bycatch. The paper was featured in The Malta Independent on Sunday, bringing national attention to this growing environmental challenge. The paper responds to the EU’s updated Fisheries…
BirdLife Malta joins marine task force to protect seabirds
30 October, 2024 BirdLife Malta’s LIFE PanPuffinus! team joined members of the BirdLife network from Europe and Central Asia. The group gathered to discuss key marine issues, including sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas and invasive species threatening seabirds. Manya Russo and Justine Borg represented BirdLife Malta, sharing insights from the LIFE PanPuffinus! project’s work in…
Fishers from across Europe meet to tackle seabird bycatch
28 October, 2024 Fishers from Malta, Greece, Spain, Portugal and France met in France for a seabird conservation conference. The event, organised by LPO France as part of the LIFE PanPuffinus! project, focused on reducing seabird bycatch at sea. Malta was represented by local fishers and BirdLife Malta staff Manya Russo, Rita Matos and Justine…
New seabird conservation exhibition opens at Majjistral Park
30 September, 2024 BirdLife Malta has launched Malta’s first permanent seabird conservation exhibition in collaboration with Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park. The exhibition is part of the LIFE PanPuffinus! project, which works to protect seabirds and their habitats across the Mediterranean. During the launch, St. Paul’s Bay and Msida Scouts enjoyed an educational talk, seabird quiz,…
New signs installed to protect seabirds at Mellieħa camping sites
5 June, 2024 New signs have been installed at the Rdum tal-Madonna camping sites in Mellieħa to raise awareness about protecting nature. The signs, placed with the help of the Malta Ranger Unit and Mellieħa Local Council, remind the public to keep the area clean. Litter, noise and light pollution can harm the environment and…
BirdLife Malta highlights seabird conservation at Our Ocean Conference in Greece
22 April, 2024 BirdLife Malta joined ocean professionals from around the world at the Our Ocean Conference side event held in Greece from 15–17 April 2024. The session, titled Navigating the Way for a Sea of Biodiversity, focused on global commitments to protect marine ecosystems. LIFE PanPuffinus! Project Manager Manya Russo spoke about the importance of…
What it feels like to be a seabird biologist studying seabirds in the Mediterranean!
19 December, 2023In our previous blogs we learnt about seabirds and their incredible abilities. Today we will shine some light on the people protecting and studying them!
LIFE PanPuffinus! featured on ONE TV’s The Local Traveller
5 December, 2023LIFE PanPuffinus! discussed on The Local Traveller, a local TV show on Malta’s ONE TV, featuring an interview with Project Manager Manya Russo at one of the Yelkouan Shearwater colony sites.
Growing up and learning on the ocean: a shearwater affair!
18 October, 2023Now that the breeding season is over, our beloved seabirds are back out at sea until next year. What are the freshly fledged birds doing and how do they survive in a completely new environment?
Threatened breeding Maltese seabirds are at a high risk of plastic exposure
19 July, 2023Scientific study reveals that threatened Maltese seabirds face high risk of plastic pollution, data collected through BirdLife Malta successive seabird studies contributes to the global assessment
Another challenging breeding season to come for Yelkouan Shearwaters!
19 May, 2023A new breeding season for the Yelkouan Shearwater has started!
Accidental seabird bycatch discussed on BirdLife Malta’s NATURAlment TV series
27 April, 2023Seabird bycatch discussed on NET TV’s NATURAlment, a weekly programme about the natural environment produced by BirdLife Malta!
Tackling accidental fisheries bycatch: A win-win operation
31 January, 2023Learn more about the accidental catch of seabirds in fishing gear!
Safeguarding the Aegean islets for seabirds and wildlife
13 December, 2022The field team of our Greek project partners HOS together with staff from NECCA have been based for a few weeks now in the Northern Dodecanese region with an important mission: the removal of rats from the valuable Aegean islets!
A last stop before going home, shearwaters raft together!
2 December, 2022We continue to learn more about the awesome capabilities of the Yelkouan Shearwater!
LIFE PanPuffinus! discussed on BirdLife Malta’s NATURAlment TV programme
17 November, 2022LIFE PanPuffinus! discussed on NET TV’s NATURAlment, a weekly programme about the natural environment produced by BirdLife Malta!
Impact of light pollution on seabirds discussed on BirdLife Malta’s NATURAlment TV programme
20 October, 2022The impact of light pollution on seabirds and what LIFE PanPuffinus! is doing to mitigate its effects discussed on BirdLife Malta’s new NATURAlment TV programme!
The GREEN FUND co-finances the LIFE PanPuffinus! project
20 September, 2022The Green Fund co-finances the LIFE PanPuffinus! project for 2022 with the total amount of €25,000 for the implementation of the Hellenic Ornithological Society (BirdLife Greece) actions
Navigating in the open ocean like a shearwater!
19 September, 2022Discovering a little more about the awesome capabilities of the Yelkouan Shearwater!
Our favourite summer adventure!
4 August, 2022Success for BirdLife Malta’s Yelkouan Shearwater Boat Trips 2022!
More amazing data about the foraging trips of Yelkouan Shearwaters in Greece!
3 July, 2022The Yelkouan Shearwaters of Greece’s Northern Dodecanese region feed in the Black Sea as well!
Yelkouan Shearwater fledglings need your help!
24 June, 2022We’re asking for the public’s assistance in rescuing young seabirds left grounded by light pollution.
LIFE PanPuffinus! project discussed on Television Malta
13 June, 2022Our LIFE PanPuffinus! project features on the breakfast show of Malta’s national broadcaster, TVM.
New report: EU countries failing to protect seabirds
9 June, 2022A new BirdLife International report reveals how EU countries are failing to protect seabirds. In our most recent blog we sum up the findings.
A journey with the Yelkouan Shearwater
2 May, 2022During the 2021 breeding season, BirdLife Malta’s seabird team equipped some Yelkouans with a GPS tracking device. Here’s what we found out!
Fishers workshops in Malta as part of the LIFE PanPuffinus! project
8 April, 2022In this blog, we summed up workshops we organised for local fishers and stakeholders to discuss seabird conservation and solutions to the threats Yelkouan Shearwaters face at sea.
How to eat fish sustainably and support conservation objectives
15 November, 2021In this blog published on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, we explained how we are working with local fishers to research possible impacts on seabirds and to help develop safe practices, while respecting traditions.
Project features on Italian national TV
21 October, 2021The importance of the Maltese Islands for seabirds such as the Yelkouan Shearwater came under the spotlight during the popular Rai Uno TV show Linea Blu – il mare on line in Italy.
Help us save stranded seabirds!
11 October, 2021Light pollution is a major and growing threat for breeding Yelkouan Shearwater (Garnija), Scopoli’s Shearwater (Ċiefa) and Mediterranean Storm-petrel (Kanġu ta’ Filfla) in the Maltese Islands.
Working with Portuguese fishermen to reduce bycatch
26 September, 2021Balearic Shearwaters love European anchovies and gather with gulls in large flocks around purse-seine fishing nets, in hopes of a meal.
The impact of the maritime industry on the environment
23 September, 2021For World Maritime Day 2021 we penned this blog which also touched upon fishing and bycatch and the work we’re doing through LIFE PanPuffinus! to further understand this issue and how best to overcome it.
End of the monitoring season in Greece
28 August, 2021After several visits which started in May, the monitoring season in the Cyclades island complex of Gyaros (which hosts the most important colony of Yelkouan Shearwater in Greece) came to an end in August.
Call for help to rescue stranded Yelkouans!
24 July, 2021At the end of July we once again reiterated our call on the public to keep an eye out for stranded Yelkouan Shearwaters, which once grounded on land will not be able to make their own way back out at sea.
First disorientated Yelkouan Shearwaters of the stranding season recovered
8 July, 2021The first six stranded Yelkouan Shearwaters of the season were recovered by BirdLife Malta during the first days of July, which marked the peak period when the fledglings leave their colonies on their first flight, sometimes getting disorientated due to light pollution ending up stranded on land.
Amazing news from Greece!
24 June, 2021Fieldwork from the study of the largest Yelkouan Shearwater colony in Greece has revealed that breeding Yelkouan adults travel from the Aegean more than 2,800 km to forage as far as the Black Sea!
Our LIFE PanPuffinus! project has been launched!
18 June, 2021The €3.45 million LIFE PanPuffinus! project was launched this morning at BirdLife Malta’s Salina Nature Reserve.
We’ve announced the date of the official launch of LIFE PanPuffinus!
1 June, 2021The event will be held at BirdLife Malta‘s Salina Nature Reserve on Friday 18 June and due to space limitations and COVID-19 restrictions will be open only to a selected audience by invitation.
BirdLife Malta to continue studying seabirds on land and at sea
17 December, 2020After decades of uninterrupted scientific studies about Malta’s seabirds, BirdLife Malta is proud to announce that it will continue studying seabirds on land and at sea following the start of a new project it has embarked on.
Celebrating 20 years of global seabird tracking and conservation
19 November, 2024 BirdLife Malta is proud to mark a major scientific milestone: the publication of a paper celebrating 20 years of the Seabird Tracking Database. This global database has revolutionised how conservationists understand seabird movements, threats and the actions needed to protect them at sea. Since its launch, the database has gathered tracking data…