Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Isle of Man faces seabird and sewage challenges after decade as UNESCO Biosphere
The Isle of Man’s first decade as a UNESCO Biosphere has brought conservation gains but ongoing environmental challenges, according to a new review.
The island received the status in 2016 as the first whole country, including its surrounding seas, to be recognised for balancing nature protection with community and economic needs.
Juniper has been replanted, nine marine reserves have been created and damaged peatland has been restored.
A rat-control programme has helped Manx shearwaters on the Calf of Man recover to about 1,500 breeding pairs.
But many seabirds and habitats remain under pressure, and monitoring has found declines in young salmon.
Sewage is still discharged into the sea at Peel and in Garff, while work on a new treatment plant in Peel began last year.
UNESCO will review the island’s status next summer, ten years after it was granted.
A report says sewage discharges and seabird declines remain challenges for the Isle of Man after its first decade as a UNESCO Biosphere.
The island became the world’s first whole-nation Biosphere in 2016, and UNESCO is due to decide next summer whether it will retain the status.
The report also describes progress, including the recovery of Manx shearwaters and the creation of nine marine nature reserves.
It warns that many species and habitats remain in long-term decline.
- Who
- The Isle of Man and its Biosphere programme.
- What
- A report says sewage discharges and wildlife declines remain challenges, despite conservation progress.
- When
- The report looks back on the decade since 2016. UNESCO is due to review the status next summer.
- Where
- The Isle of Man, including its surrounding seas.
- Why
- Biosphere status recognises places that balance nature protection with support for people, communities and the economy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The last native juniper plant on the island was dug up from Glen Auldyn in an attempt to save it, but died soon afterwards.
The Isle of Man became the world’s first whole-nation Biosphere.
An assessment found that 48 of the island’s 166 regularly seen bird species were on the red list of greatest conservation concern.
Work began on a new treatment works for Peel.
- Biosphere status
- Granted in 2016 and reviewed every 10 years
- Birds of concern
- 48 of 166 regularly seen species were on the red list in a 2024 assessment
- Seabirds
- 12 of the island’s 16 breeding seabird species are of greatest conservation concern
- Marine reserves
- Nine created since 2016, covering more than half the sea within three nautical miles of the coast
- Peatland
- 420 hectares of damaged peatland had been restored by the end of last year
What people are saying
much to celebrate from our first decade, and much still to do
not a claim that everything is working as it should