New Puffin awareness buoys deployed near Herm

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 06:00

Markers have been positioned near Herm to protect puffins during the breeding season.

Every year, puffins return to the cliffs of Herm, a protected RAMSAR site, to raise their young.

They mate for life and use the same burrow to lay one egg.

Rotary Guernesiais has paid for two new awareness buoys near Herm after the old ones were damaged.

The large yellow markers remind boats and jet skis to keep to the 6-knot speed limit, helping protect puffins resting on the water.

The buoys were put in place by Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services (ACLMS) and Guernsey Ports.

Director of Natural Environment at ACLMS, Jim Robinson, says we need to protect the species.

“The heavy storms in the first few months of the year had a big impact on puffins across the Northwest Atlantic, so it is encouraging to see some already returning to the Bailiwick at the start of their breeding season.

"But they need our help, and the puffin awareness buoys are a great initiative to highlight the need to take care when navigating around Herm.

"We are incredibly grateful to Rotary Guernesias for their sponsorship and to Guernsey Ports for taking a lead on this project.”

President of Rotary Guernesiais Aimée Curzon says they are pleased to help.

“Who doesn’t love a puffin? Rotary Guernesiais is delighted to be working with Guernsey Ports once again, as well as with ACLMS, on this important step to safeguard our puffins.

"The support we are able to give to this particular project is part of the club’s environmental initiatives helping to protect the beautiful seas and local wildlife from harm.”