A Boater's Guide to Seabird Protection

Approaching too close to seabird colonies causes birds to panic and fly, resulting in abandoned nests and potential decreases in populations.

• Stay 1000 feet (roughly 3 football fields) from cliffs, offshore rocks and islands, especially during the seabird breeding season (February-August)
• Watch the birds for signs you are too close (head-bobbing or wing-fluttering), if you see these reactions move away from the colony
• Never discard fishing line overboard, cover bait, and use barb-less hooks or artificial lures when possible.
• Steer around feeding flocks of seabirds on the water

Shared with permission from CA.gov. For more information visit: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ or http://farallones.noaa.gov/eco/seabird/welcome.html

Image courtesy of Gulf of the Farallones NMS