Seabird colonies in decline due to natural and human causes

A marine biologist has warned that seabird colonies in the Faroe Islands are in decline due to both natural and human-made factors, urging stronger research efforts.

Hjálmar Hátún, a marine biologist and researcher at the Faroese Marine Research Institute (Havstovan), told public broadcaster KVF that the situation is serious and requires closer monitoring.

Earlier, Jóhannis Danielsen, a biologist at Havstovan, told KVF that human activity was likely the primary cause of the decline in seabird colonies observed in the Faroes. However, Hátún argues that both natural and anthropogenic factors are at play and stresses the need to formalise research into the issue.