Port and biodiversity: A pioneering conservation project for the Audouin’s Gull
Spain
The Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) is a rare seagull, classified as “vulnerable” and protected under the EU Birds Directive. Since 2022, the Port of Barcelona has been working to create new, safe, artificial habitats for these birds within the port area, due to the loss of natural habitats in the nearby region.
The initial pilot project tested different combinations of substrates, shelters and structures to discover what was most suitable for the gulls. Based on the results of the pilot project, the Port developed a larger-scale initiative, progressively converting more than 1,000 linear meters of the East Wharf of the port into a breeding area.
The measures included demolishing concrete slabs and installing specially adapted walls filled with a mixture of sand, gravel and structured topsoil. The Port created microhabitats for the seagulls and added different types of shelters for their chicks. The whole area was also seeded with native plant species.
Today, thanks to the measures put in place, the Port of Barcelona is home to one of the world’s most significant colonies of Audouin’s gull, with 1,245 pairs recorded as residing there in 2025.
The gulls and their welfare are continuously monitored via a system coordinated by the Servei de Fauna i Flora (Fauna and flora service) and CSIC (the Spanish National Research Council), in collaboration with the Port. This monitoring includes regular inspections, mapping sensitive areas and restricted access protocols, to document the colony and to ensure that port activities will not interfere with its growth.