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Highly Mobile Seabirds Reveal Areas of Conservation Importance Across the Atlantic Ocean

Rouyer, Marie‐Morgane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4915-7191; Rodrigues, Ana S. L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4775-0127; Davies, Tammy E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2535-1328; Clark, Bethany L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5803-7744; Pearmain, Elizabeth J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6600-1482; Bhola, Nina ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2110-762X; Carneiro, Ana P. B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0573-7549; González‐Solís, Jacob ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8691-9397; Guilherme, João L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4542-589X; Abdennadher, Aida; Afán, Isabel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3874-0461; Alves, Jose A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7182-0936; Anker‐Nilssen, Tycho ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1030-5524; Arcos, José Manuel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7486-4475; Atkins, Kelly M. 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ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8875-2642; Newton, Stephen Francis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6195-3858; Olsen, Bergur; Oppel, Steffen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8220-3789; Oro, Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4782-3007; Padget, Oliver ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5412-4306; Paiva, Vítor Hugo ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6368-9579; Patterson, Allison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9931-2693; Pereira, Jorge Miguel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7594-3535; Petersen, Aevar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3977-1238; Petry, Maria Virginia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7870-7394; Phillips, Richard A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0208-1444; Pina, Admilton; Pollet, Ingrid L. 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ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3635-7162; Rubolini, Diego ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2703-5783; Saldanha, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0084-1929; Sallent, Ángel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4893-4677; Sardà‐Serra, Mariona; Schmidt, Niels Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4166-6218; Schofield, Andy; Shamoun‐Baranes, Judy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1652-7646; Shutler, Dave; Sigurðsson, Ingvar Atli ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9931-7676; Silva, Mónica C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2404-3964; Stenhouse, Iain J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3614-9862; Strøm, Hallvard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4823-0409; Swindells, Mike; Symons, Stephanie C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4599-7521; Systad, Geir Helge Rødli ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9291-4517; Thaxter, Chris B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0341-4199; Thompson, Paul M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6195-3284; Thórarinsson, Thorkell Lindberg ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1638-2555; Trevail, Alice M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6459-5213; van Bemmelen, Rob S. A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0688-7058; Vicente‐Sastre, Diego ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4458-8005; Votier, Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0976-0167; Wakefield, Ewan D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2586-1232; Wanless, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2788-4606; Wanless, Ross M; Wischnewski, Saskia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3759-0097; Wojczulanis‐Jakubas, Katarzyna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6230-0509; Wong, Joanna B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4607-2803; Wright, Lucy Joanna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-1849; Xavier, Jose C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9621-6660; Xirouchakis, Stavros M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1979-4990; Zenatello, Marco ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9225-6737; Zino, Francis ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9309-0786; Dias, Maria P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7281-4391. 2026 Highly Mobile Seabirds Reveal Areas of Conservation Importance Across the Atlantic Ocean. Conservation Letters, 19 (5), e70075. 12, pp. 10.1111/con4.70075

Abstract

Countries have committed to expanding the marine protected area (MPA) network to 30% of the world's ocean by 2030, more than tripling current coverage, and focusing on areas important for biodiversity. For such expansion to translate into effective conservation of marine biodiversity, it must rely on the best available knowledge. Here, we analyze tracking data on > 13,000 individuals (44 species, eight families) to map the distribution of highly mobile seabirds in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas throughout the year. We identify regions important year‐round or seasonally. The High Seas are as important as national waters for highly mobile seabirds but are even less protected. Current Atlantic MPAs hold < 14% of tracked species density, but their expansion to 30% of the ocean could protect up to two thirds. We share this new knowledge layer to support national and international efforts and policies to strategically expand the Atlantic MPA network.

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Conservation Letters - 2026 - Rouyer - Highly Mobile Seabirds Reveal Areas of Conservation Importance Across the Atlantic.pdf - Published Version
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BAS Programmes 2015 > Ecosystems
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