For centuries, seabirds have been used as indicator species to help fishermen spot nearby fish stock or to guide them towards land. Today, they give us an insight into what is happening in our seas.
Seabirds can be affected by climate change both directly, through an increase in extreme weather conditions, and indirectly, via changes in the marine ecosystem that affect their food supply. It is hard to monitor fish populations directly, but the European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) offers a unique glimpse into changes in fish distribution and abundance.
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