Species Action Plans for the conservation of seabirds in the Mediterranean Sea: Audouin's gull, Balearic shearwater and Mediterranean shag

BirdLife International has so far developed Action Plans for 37 bird species. The plans, although not legally binding, have been approved by the Ornis Committee (EU DG Environment) and most of them have also been endorsed by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention. Three of the species covered by the SAPs are Mediterranean seabirds: Audouin's gull (Larus audouinii), Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) and Mediterranean shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii). The documents, which have been produced through a participatory process involving tens of experts across the range of the taxa, provide information on the biology, ecology and threats, but the most important feature is the list of specific objectives and actions which are ranked according to their priority and urgency. Alongside actions addressing species-specific conservation needs, such as site protection and management, a number of activities aimed at the conservation of these species are common and refer to wide policies such as land-use planning, fishery, tourist development and pollution control. The documents represent the most up-to-date and scientifically-based source of information for planning and implementing conservation activities across the Mediterranean, to be implemented by both governmental and non governmental organisations.Original Abstract: Planes de accion para la conservacion de aves marinas en el Mediterraneo: gaviota de Audouin, pardela balear y cormoran monudo del Mediterraneo. - BirdLife International ha desarrollado hasta la fecha planes de accion para 37 especies de aves. Los planes, aunque no son vinculantes, han sido aprobados por el comite Ornis de la Union Europea y la mayor parte de ellos ha sido ratificados por el comite permanente de la convencion de Berna. Tres de las especies que cuentan con planes de accion son aves marinas: la gaviota de Audouin (Larus audouinii), la pardela balear (Puffinus mauretanicus) y el cormoran monudo del Mediterraneo (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii). Los documentos, generados a traves de un proceso participativo en el que han colaborado decenas de expertos, proporcionan informacion sobre la biologia, ecologia y amenazas de las especies aunque el aspecto mas importante es el listado de objetivos especificos y acciones que aparecen ordenadas segun prioridad y urgencia. Los planes sugieren acciones de amplio espectro, comunes a todas las especies, tales como una correcta ordenacion territorial, de la pesca, del de