The Seabird Tracking Database hosted by BirdLife International is one of the world’s greatest marine conservation collaborations and the largest collection of seabird tracking data in existence. It serves as a central repository for seabird tracking data and aims to help further conservation work and support the tracking community.
Originally called “Tracking Ocean Wanderers”, the database was established in 2004 with the aim of collating data to help address the threat of incidental mortality in fisheries (bycatch) of albatrosses and large petrels. Over the years, it was extended to address multiple conservation issues faced by all seabirds – and, in 2014, it was officially re-launched as the Seabird Tracking Database. Since then, the number of seabird locations has grown from less than 3 million to over 30 million!
Due to the massive increase in seabird tracking data uploaded, the technology set up 2014 has become unable to grow any further and is reaching the end of its lifespan, so we have been working hard to update and future-proof the Seabird Tracking Database. The database is now supported by a new website that provides an overview of the data, showcases the conservation impact, and includes new and exciting functionality with news, resources, case studies and mailing list. Please get in touch if you have any news to share with our community.
The new website has been constructed in a much more flexible way, so that we can more easily edit and add new information. We will keep everyone updated in the coming months about the new features we are planning for the database.
The redevelopment of the Seabird Tracking Database has only been possible with the technical skills, hard work and enthusiam from those at Octophin Digital and Terra Communications. The website construction was supported by GOBI with a grant from IKI. The BMU supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. The database also received support from the Darwin Initiative and the European Commision, along with BirdFair, MAVA, Pew, CCI, 4Ocean and RSPB.
Finally, the conservation successes of the Seabird Tracking Database are only possible with the collaboration and support of the data owners – thank you!
*Existing users, you will need to reset your password the first time you log in to your account on the new system because passwords were not transferred for security reasons.*
If you have any issues or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact us at seabirds [at] birdlife.org