Latest Seabird Monitoring Programme statistics and reports
The latest official statistic from the Seabird Monitoring Programme (Seabird population changes in the UK: 1986–2024) was published on 19 March 2026.
The SMP annual report (Harris et al. 2026) includes the results presented within the official statistic in species-specific accounts. These accounts also provide information that sits outside of the SMP official statistic, on distribution, diet and breeding behaviour, and outline key threats and conservation actions.
Previous reports
The report has been published online since 2009.
Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) reports containing Official Statistics were not produced in 2017 and 2018 due to resources being focused on a national seabird census. The release with 2019 data happened in two parts in 2021. On 29 April 2021 the Table of Results was updated and on 20 May 2021 full species accounts were published.
COVID‑19 restrictions on movement and countryside access in 2020 limited data collection, so no stand‑alone report was produced for that year.
In 2021, resources were focused on establishing a new SMP partnership – launched in July 2022 – and managing the transition, so stand‑alone reports for 2021 and 2022 were not produced.
Links to previous reports are provided below:
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2023, the annual report of the Seabird Monitoring Programme) (published 21 November 2024).
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2019 Report (published 2021)
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2018 Report (published 2020)
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2015 Report
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2014 Report
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2013 Report
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986–2012 Report
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 2012 Report (provides results up to the year 2011)
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 2011 Report (provides results up to the year 2010)
Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 2010 Report (provides results up to the year 2009)
Prior to 2009, these trends were published in 'Seabird numbers and breeding success in Britain and Ireland'. Copies of these reports are available on JNCC's Resource Hub.
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