Conservation of the seabird community in São Tomé and Príncipe (Gulf of Guinea)
São Tomé e Príncipe (SPT) holds a poorly known seabird community. In 1997, a team of the Azores University initiated, in conjunction with the local delegation of ECOFAC and two NGOs, the first comprehensive seabird studies in the country, with four main objectives:
Relevant references:
- to obtain accurate population estimates, aiding in identification of Important Bird Areas and conservation priorities;
- to undertake general studies on species biology, especially an appraisal of the breeding seasons;
- to train a local team in seabird field studies and monitoring;
- to establish contacts with the local authorities to seek the implementation of a seabird conservation policy in the country. Preliminary results contributed important novel insights into the knowledge of STP seabirds' status and distribution. For example, Tinhosas islets, which hold a minimum of 300,000 breeding seabirds in just 24 ha, is a unique site in West Africa and became recently under threat due to seabird harvesting by fishermen.
Monteiro L. R., Covas R., Melo M. V., Monteiro P. R. 1997 Seabirds of São Tomé e Príncipe: the taxonomic status of the Madeiran storm petrel Oceanodroma castro and conservation of the whole community. Progress Report, 43 pp.
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