Through a collaborative effort, we analysed a vast amount of seabird tracking data (>2,000 tracks) and identified a major hotspot for foraging seabirds in the middle of the North Atlantic. This hotspot is estimated to be used by more than 5 million seabirds from 21 species throughout the year, with birds coming from at least 56 colonies in 16 different countries.
The identified site qualifies as a KBA and can be considered one of the most important concentrations of migratory seabirds in the Atlantic. This important site was designated by the OSPAR Convention in 2021 as the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea-basin (NACES) MPA.
Find out more about the species at the site:
Why are the seabirds there?
Many of the seabirds travel great distances to use the site, and we can find them here all year round, suggesting that food availability at the site is consistently high. This is likely supported by the complex oceanography of the site, including the North Atlantic Current, which causes higher primary productivity and may result in higher abundance of mesopelagic prey – a favoured food of seabirds.
Not just seabirds
Studies have also found other animals use the site including various sharks (blue, shortfin mako, and basking), leatherback turtle, and many cetacean species including blue whale, sei whale, and spotted dolphins.
The journey to protection
The hotspot is located in the middle of the North Atlantic in the High Seas but within the jurisdiction of the OSPAR Convention. The protection of this site addresses an important gap in the OSPAR MPA network for seabirds, and also for non-breeding seabirds in general, which are currently poorly represented in protected area networks.
The NACES MPA provides a valuable case study to learn about the practicalities of implementation of a high seas MPA and can inform and guide engagement under the High Seas Treaty.
Recognition
Seabirds identified as poorly represented across the OSPAR high seas MPA network (OSPAR 2013).
Workshop
BirdLife holds a workshop with seabird researchers to discuss the approach for tracking data analyses for the Atlantic; Seabird tracking data are compiled and analysed.
Discussion
International team of scientists, led by Dr Ewan Wakefield and including BirdLife researchers, transect the NACES area aboard RRS Discovery Cruise DY080; First formal discussion of the NACES MPA proposal at an OSPAR meeting (ICG-MPA 2017, France); Nomination gains official support from France to progress within OSPAR.
Proposal
NACES MPA proposal discussion continues; the conservation objectives of the site are focussed only on seabirds; OSPAR conducts a “seeking views process” on the site nomination.
Support
Independent advice from International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is received and addressed in the proforma; The NACES MPA nomination is officially supported by France, Germany, and Sweden. The OSPAR MPA group supports the proposal moving towards designation.
Progress
All OSPAR Contracting Parties agreed the proposal can progress towards designation [Biodiversity Committee meeting, March]. The OSPAR Ministerial meeting is postponed due to Covid-19, also delaying any announcement on MPA designation.
Designation!
The NACES MPA is officially designated on the 1st October at the OSPAR Ministerial Meeting in Portugal. Becoming the first high seas MPA to be identified from tracking data. Due to political disagreement, the seafloor is not included in this designation, but a 2-year roadmap is adopted to review available evidence for inclusion.
Roadmap
Collation of available evidence, including from recent scientific cruises, expert input and via a seeking views process, to consider expansion of the conservation objectives of the site, including extending to the seafloor.
Expansion!
The conservation objectives of the site are expanded and now include the seafloor.
Management
Human activity data within NACES MPA presented to OSPAR MPA group, to initiate discussion on collaborative management needs.
Monitoring
Monitoring framework published for the NACES MPA. Draft collaborative management plan developed with the OSPAR MPA group.
Collaboration
Collaborative management plans for ABNJ MPAs and the process for engagement and agreement across multiple competent bodies were discussed at the Collective Arrangement (May 2026). Area-based management in ABNJ was agreed to become a standing agenda item for this meeting and will be an important forum for progressing discussions.
Further information:
- Davies, Carneiro et al. (2021) Multispecies tracking reveals a major seabird hotspot in the North Atlantic. Conservation Letters
- Davies et al. (2021) Tracking data and the conservation of the High Seas: opportunities and challenges. Journal of Applied Ecology
- Davies et al. 2025. A framework to support area-based management and monitoring of the high seas using remote vessel data. Ecological indicators
- Henry et al. 2025. Navigating a transformative policy route for High Seas conservation. Marine Policy