Razorbill  (Alca torda)

This species can be very seriously affected by oil pollution, and is particularly vulnerable when dispersing away from the breeding colonies (1). Other types of marine pollution, including heavy metals used in industry and organochloride pesticides used in agriculture are also threats and are known to cause deaths (1). Furthermore, food shortages, which may be caused by over-fishing, are a potentially serious problem (1).

Seabirds, including the razorbill, were among the first bird species given protection by legislation. A number of major seabird colonies are protected by the RSPB and other conservation organisations as nature reserves (8). Research into the ecology of seabirds, and the effects of the industrial fishing of sand eels on their populations is needed (1).