British sea birds hit peak of 8m.

BRITAIN and Ireland support some of the world's most important populations of seabirds, according to a new survey.

Seabird 2000 gives an up-to-date assessment of sea bird populations in the United Kingdom,Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands.

The results underline the international importance of sea birds in the British Isles and show that overall numbers have risen steadily over the past 30 years to about 8m.

However, some species, particularly several types of tern, are suffering considerable population declines.

The findings, launched at the eighth International Seabird Group Conference in Aberdeen, are the work of more than 1,000 surveyors,counting 3,200 colonies along 25,000 miles of coastline and at 900 inland sites.

The British Isles supports more than two-thirds of the world's Northern gannets, 90% of Manx shear waters and 60% of Great skuas.