The Maltese Islands are home to around 10% of the world’s population of Yelkouan Shearwaters. These seabirds return every year to breed on the rocky cliffs of the Maltese Islands.

The overall aim of this project is to increase breeding pairs from 500 pairs to 700 pairs at Rdum tal-Madonna and from 1500 to 2000 pairs nationally The project will also improve the site for visitors to enjoy. With the support of a grant from the EU LIFE-Nature Fund, the project partners will carry out a series of actions that will help to achieve this aim.  The financial grant secured by project will cover 50% of the costs of these activities.

The strength of the project, which will run until 2010, is that it is a partner initiative involving four government authorities (the Malta Maritime Authority, Heritage Malta, Malta Centre for Fisheries Sciences and Armed Forces of Malta) and three conservation organisations (BirdLife Malta, BirdLife UK and BirdLife Portugal). Both MEPA and HSBC have also made financial contributions. With the backing of the government, local and international conservation organisations, the project team are already taking forward project actions which range from tagging the birds with special equipment to track their movements, to working with local abseilers to survey the site. To find out more, visit our website on www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt.