Final Seminar of LIFE SeaBiL - Saving Seabirds from Marine Litter

The final seminar for the LIFE SeaBiL project brought together experts from conservation organisations, universities, and marine protection agencies to discuss the pervasive issue of plastic pollution in marine ecosystems, with a focus on its detrimental effects on seabirds. The day opened with introductory speeches, followed by discussions on the pressures that plastic pollution placed on seabird populations, the progress towards a potential global treaty to address plastic pollution, and case studies on conservation efforts from organisations like BirdLife International and LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux). 

Insights from projects like LIFE SeaBiL and related studies on seabird mortality were also shared.

In the afternoon, sessions delved into scientific analyses, examining seabirds as indicators of marine ecosystem health and sharing findings on the impacts of plastic waste on seabird colonies. Researchers presented long-term data on marine litter and discussed strategies for identifying and mitigating pollution sources at local levels. The event concluded with a roundtable on the urgency of intensifying the fight against plastic pollution, followed by closing remarks and a networking reception.