Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia met in Tarifa to identify the best strategies for building and correcting power lines in order to reduce the mortality of raptors in their migratory routes in the Mediterranean.

A technical workshop for knowledge transfer and exchange between Spain and North Africa, in which more than 30 conservation and avifauna experts as well as administrative and public service staff from Endesa, Red Eléctrica and the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) have participated, recently took place in Tarifa (Spain). The purpose of the meeting was to exchange experiences to identify improvements and corrections that can be made to dangerous power lines in order to reduce the risk of collision and electrocution of migratory raptors in the Mediterranean during their annual migration.

From the identification of the most dangerous power lines to the collection and monitoring of scientific data and the forensic identification of indicators of bird mortality, participants had the opportunity to hear the recommendations provided by other international experts, as well as existing Andalusian standards, and contrast them with their peers from North African countries.

One of the conclusions reached by the participants was the need to involve the electricity sector within each country through additional incentives that could be adopted by their respective governments. These measures could then be applicable when installing new infrastructures in areas at risk of great impact for birds or when adapting the existing infrastructure.

"Transnational cooperation is essential to preserve the emblematic imperial eagle, the percnopterous vulture and the bearded vulture. These species are part of the Mediterranean ecosystem and are threatened by the increasing loss and degradation of their habitat and the use of poisons and pesticides. One of the factors that contributes greatly to their high mortality, and which we urgently need to alleviate, is the impact of power lines on the continuity of these valuable species throughout the Mediterranean", said Antonio Troya, Director of the IUCN - Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

"There are very effective devices to give visibility to the power lines and associated structures and prevent these birds from colliding with them and getting electrocuted. With the participation and support of companies and governments we can adapt the existing infrastructure and establish guidelines for the new lines so that they do not cause the death of these endangered birds", said Miguel Ferrer, President of the Migres Foundation and delegate of the CSIC.

In the coming months, participating institutions will provide a list of priority activities, using the experience already gained in several areas in Andalusia, as well as elsewhere in the world, to enable knowledge transfer and coordinate a timetable for implementation activities Focusing on three sectors (conservation, management and the energy sector), in order to minimize the impact of collisions and electrocutions in contact with these electrical infrastructures in some North African countries.

The three-day training workshop was organized by the IUCN - Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Government of Andalusia, the Migres Foundation and the International Migration Center for Birds, with the support of the Mava Foundation.

For more information on this initiative:
https://www.iucn.org/node/27011
https://www.iucn.org/node/25803
https://www.iucn.org/node/18738

For more information : Violeta Barrios

Photo: Field work: how to react when facing a wounded raptor - © IUCN-Med