Red-legged kittiwake  (Rissa brevirostris)

Although the reasons for the decline of this species are not fully known, it is thought that it may be the result of commercial over-fishing that has reduced food availability (2). A recent development was the construction of a harbour in the Pribilof Islands, which greatly increases the risk of rats being accidentally introduced to the islands. Predation by rats at the breeding colonies would pose a very serious threat to the red-legged kittiwake (2) (4).

Many of the Alaskan breeding colonies are protected by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Furthermore, on the Pribilof Islands a rat prevention programme is underway (4). There is a need for a long-term monitoring programme in order to detect any changes in numbers in the breeding colonies and the threats facing the species must be better understood, in particular the impact of fisheries needs to be established (4). It has been proposed that a buffer zone should be set up around the Pribilofs, in which fishing would be controlled (4) (2).