Breeding starts in March, and the species forms colonies on coastal or offshore islands, nesting in burrows (Carboneras et al. 2014). At sea this species is mainly found on waters over the continental shelf, feeding predominantly on small shoaling fish (Clupea harengus, Sprattus sprattus, Ammodytes marinus) but also on some squid, crustaceans and offal. It feeds mainly by pursuit-plunging and pursuit-diving; also by surface-seizing and pattering either alone or in small flocks (Carboneras et al. 2014).

Although the generation length for both EU and Europe regional assessments were calculated using the same methodology, new information arriving after the EU assessments were undertaken gave rise to an update in the generation lengths. This new information was then used for the Europe level assessments giving rise to a difference between the generation lengths used for the EU and Europe regions.

In Europe, this species breeds principally in the United Kingdom, but also notably in Ireland and the Faroe Islands.

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention. It is covered by the EU Birds Directive as a migratory species. It occurs in 20 marine Important Bird Areas including in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Ireland, the U.K. and Spain. Within the EU it is listed in 53 Special Protection Areas in France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Current work in the United Kingdom and Ireland is tracking their seasonal movements and identifying foraging hotspots for protection.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Identification and designation of important sites at sea. Management of invasive alien species within breeding colonies and monitoring and enforcement (where appropriate) of human exploitation. Increased observer effort on board fishing vessels to monitor bycatch rates, and implementation where appropriate of bycatch mitigation measures.