There are almost 15 000 islands and islets in the Mediterranean Sea. Initiative PIM (Mediterranean Small Islands Initiative) contributes to the protection of these microcosms by setting-up practical measures for conservation management and by facilitating the exchange of information and experience between the site managers and experts from across the Mediterranean Basin.
The PIM Initiative is co-financed by the Fonds Francais pour l'Environnement Mondial (FFEM) (French Global Environment Facility), the Agence de l'Eau Rhone Mediterranee-Corse and the city of Marseilles. The Albatross project has been set up within the framework of the programme to enhance knowledge of Mediterranean breeding bird species.
As part of this activity monographs have been published this year on two species of shearwaters that breed within the Mediterranean on islands: Cory's Calonectris diomedea and Yelkouan Puffinus yelkouan. Versions of the monographs in both English and French languages are available on-line (click here).
Cory's Shearwater at sea off South Africa. Photograph by John Graham
References:
Anselme, L. & Durand, J.P. 2012. The Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea diomedea, updated state of knowledge and conservation of the nesting populations of the small Mediterranean islands. Initiative PIM. 23 pp.
Bourgeois, K. 2012. Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan, updated state of knowledge and conservation of the nesting populations of the Small Mediterranean Islands. Initiative PIM. 24 pp.
John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 October 2012