Mariners reminded to respect Alderney’s Puffin Friendly Zone

Tuesday, 12 May 2026 07:05

Burhou's exclusion zone is in force to protect breeding puffins after winter storms devastated their population.

Burhou is a tiny uninhabited island just off the north-west of Alderney.

Since 2024, the UK Hydrographic Office has recognised the coastal zone as an area of importance for puffins.

This means that between March and 1 August, mariners need to steer clear of the area, so they don't disturb the seabirds.

Conservation Scientist Gabriella Stewart says after a particularly harsh winter for puffins, it is especially important that the exclusion zone is fully respected.

"Around 40,000 puffins ended up stranded on the beaches, dead in Europe, and we had about 44 puffins wash up on Alderney.

"So they've had a really, really tough year. It would have been a big loss to their numbers.

"So anything that we can do to help them get the numbers back up would be amazing.

"This site provides the puffins with a safe area to rest, undisturbed by visiting or passing boats.

"If boats were to go in there, it would lead them (the puffins) to take flight, which would use up vital energy reserves, which they really need for their fishing and parenting."

Gabriella says the seabirds play an essential role in the ecosystem.

"They help in the transition of nutrients onto the land.

"They go fishing, and then they poo back on the land, which, you know, adds nutrients and helps plants grow.

"They're also a very charismatic species; people love to see the puffins."

Mariners are asked not to cross the white line shown below: