Watch our local organising committee preview what you can expect at WSC4, from albatrosses and shearwaters to little penguins, all within reach of Hobart. bit.ly/4vnwNBU
WSC4 | Hobart, Australia | 7–11 September 2026
#WSC4 #MeetInAus
Posts by World Seabird Union
Join the global conversation on seabird conservation and research
The World Seabird Conference brings international researchers together to share findings and shape seabird conservation.
Early-bird registration closes: 12 June 2026
bit.ly/4vnwNBU
#WSC4
International study led by Japanese researchers analysed blood mercury in 11,215 seabirds (108 species), combining new and existing data—the first biologically based estimate of ocean mercury distribution.
Mercury levels vary with prey trophic level, body weight, and foraging depth. bit.ly/41O5pzL
Delighted to announce Professor John Croxall as one of our keynote speakers at WSC4. A pioneer in seabird and Antarctic marine ecosystem research, his work has shaped international conservation frameworks. We hope you can join us: 🔗 bit.ly/4vnwNBU
#WSC4
New research suggests gannet numbers on Bass Rock may be stabilising after a sharp avian flu-related decline. Emily Burton of the Scottish Seabird Centre notes breeding success remains low, so continued conservation is needed. bit.ly/47XFvgf
We’re really grateful to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for supporting WSC4.
Their support is opening doors for scientists and researchers from around the world to attend WSC4 and share their unique perspectives and expertise. Meet all of our sponsors: bit.ly/3Ox3LiM
#WSC4
A major milestone for European conservation: invasive ferrets have been successfully eradicated from Rathlin Island, just off Northern Ireland’s north coast. This achievement was made possible by the LIFE Raft project, RSPB, and dedicated local supporters. bit.ly/4bwdkap
Researchers from the University of York and Liverpool are pioneering miniature, state-of-the-art sensors to unravel how seabirds, such as the Manx shearwater, navigate remarkable distances. This research may lead to innovative navigation systems independent of satellites. bit.ly/4sA2ZAm
Enter our Seabird Photo Contest at #WSC2026—open to all in-person attendees! Submit your best seabird shot by 1 Aug (midnight UTC) for a chance at prizes & People’s Choice. Enter now: bit.ly/4d572zROpens a new window 🐦✨
Don’t miss your chance to join the PSG Annual Meeting!
Be part of inspiring talks, global perspectives, and the conversations shaping the future of seabird science.
⏰ Registration closes 30 January
🔗 psg.wildapricot.org/event-6263708
#PSG2026 #SeabirdScience
A decade-long study featured in Smithsonian Magazine shows penguins are arriving at nesting sites nearly two weeks earlier than a decade ago, likely in response to warming conditions.
bit.ly/49PnDEo
Our fantastic host committee in Tasmania has identified an exciting range of WSC4 field trips, to be announced in early February.
Thanks for your patience—check out our website and get registered in the meantime!
worldseabirdunion.org/world-seabir...
#WSC4
A new study published on 17 December 2025 in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences shows that well-managed fisheries can support the recovery of large marine predators, including seals and porpoises, in the North Sea.
bit.ly/3NvabhF
📣 Pacific Seabird Group plenary speakers announced!
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from three internationally recognised leaders in seabird ecology and conservation.
⏰ Registration closes 23 January 2026
👉 Register now: psg.wildapricot.org/event-626370...
A new study in Marine Biology shows that black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) from two Norwegian colonies adopt distinctly different winter migration strategies. Researchers provide valuable insight for coastal conservation.
🔗 bit.ly/4pEyEya
WSC4 Abstract Submissions – Now Open
Abstract submissions for WSC4 are currently open and have been extended until 23 January 2026 (23:59 UTC-12).
Submitting an abstract is easy via our Abstract Portal.
Check out our website for full guidelines and submission details.
🔗 bit.ly/4qRZd44
#WSC4
Showcase your expertise and connect with the global seabird research community. Abstract submissions for the 4th World Seabird Conference are now open.
🗓 Deadline: 15 January 2026
🔗 bit.ly/4jsKMRG
When Youth Journalism International students visited Boulders Beach during the 2025 Global Conference in Cape Town, they encountered a stark reality: signs warning that African penguins are in serious decline.
🎧 Listen to the audio report and learn more about this critical issue:
bit.ly/3YPz6Pc
🌍 Become a sponsor of global seabird conservation
The 4th World Seabird Conference (WSC4) offers sponsors a unique opportunity to support evidence-based seabird conservation while engaging directly with international researchers, NGOs and policy-makers.
➡️ bit.ly/4qd2lrh
#WSC4
A new study from UH Mānoa’s HIMB Shark Lab explores intraguild predation and competition among marine predators—and how seasonal seabird nesting and alternative prey influence distribution and resource use in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. bit.ly/49nTVGs
🌊 Share your seabird research at #WSC4! Submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations by 15 Jan 2026. Travel awards available for students & early-career researchers. Connect globally & shape seabird science! 🐦✈️
🔗 tinyurl.com/5n8cjmsk
#SeabirdScience #MarineConservation #WSC4
SANCCOB rescued hundreds of abandoned Cape Cormorant chicks on Robben Island.
The species is Endangered, with declining fish and changing oceans making breeding riskier.
🎥 Watch: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=754...
The Hawai‘i Wildlife Centre treated over 1,000 native seabirds this record-breaking fallout season. From mid-September to mid-December, young seabirds can get disoriented by artificial lights during their initial ocean flight. 🔗 bit.ly/44wFKgE
Bycatch is a major threat to endangered Antipodean albatrosses. New research shows risk is highest where fishing overlaps with key ocean features, especially for juveniles and from May–August, with hotspots between 25°S–40°S.
🔗 bit.ly/3MDZwRb
Puffins have returned to the Isle of Muck, County Antrim, following Ulster Wildlife’s removal of invasive brown rats and habitat management. Nature reserves manager Andy Crory says it shows seabird restoration works. bit.ly/48YlANV
Dr Southwell and an international research team conducted a study using 100 years of diverse data sources to provide the most comprehensive understanding of seabird breeding across 5,000 km of East Antarctic coastline and 2,000 km inland, covering eight species.
Read the Paper:
NatureScot seeks an experienced ornithologist for seabird conservation in Scotland. The role involves seabird restoration, resilience in colonies and Marine Protected Areas, advisory work, and developing research and guidance. Apply by 21 December 2025:
Giving Tuesday may be over, but it’s not too late to make a difference.
You can still support early-career scientists and help them access the 4th World Seabird Conference.
bit.ly/3MbiVZv
#WSC4 #SupportScience
The elusive Kittlitz’s murrelet relies on tidewater glaciers in the Kenai Fjords. Researchers are studying how retreating glaciers affect where they feed and breed.
🌍 Full story: bit.ly/49TvSB1
New National Trust seabird census from the Farne Islands shows a mixed picture:
⬇️ Puffins down 23% (50,103 → 38,500 pairs)
⬇️ Common Terns halved (10 → 5 pairs)
⬆️ Arctic Terns up 26% (410 → 519 pairs)
bit.ly/4aqD33K
Amid global pressures on migrants, protecting these colonies is vital. #Seabirds