The SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign 2017 has already started on all islands of the Azores. This initiative has been held on annual basis since 1995. It aims to ensure the conservation of these iconic seabirds and promote public participation environmental awareness raising actions.
 
During the months of October and November, juvenile specimens begin to leave their nests. When attracted by strong artificial lights, they become disoriented and can fall in hazardous locations where there is a risk of being hit by vehicles.
 
For this reason, dozens of brigades cover the archipelago's roads during this time of the year. They have rescued Cory's Shearwater specimens that are then released by the sea during the day, after the placement of rings. This marks the beginning of their first major annual migration to the South Atlantic seas or to the productive areas of the Northwest Atlantic.
 
According to BirdLife International, the Azores are home, every year, to 200 thousand Cory's Shearwaters couples (Calonectris borealis), which nest on the islands of the archipelago between April and October.
 
These birds begin to reproduce, on average, at the age of eight or nine and only lay one egg at a time, with no possibility of laying other eggs in the event of incubation failure or death of the offspring during the feeding period.
 
This year, the Government will continue to use the methodology adopted by the scientific SOS Corey's Shearwater brigades last year with the purpose of collecting information with scientific relevance.
 
The SOS Corey's Shearwater campaign also intends to be a participatory ecotourism activity, through inclusive environmental conservation actions.
 
In this regard, regional tour agents are being alerted to the importance of disseminating this initiative, thus allowing tourists to take active part in the campaign and contribute to the protection of this seabird species.
 
The SOS Cory's Shearwater Campaign is an initiative developed by the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorates for Sea Affairs and the Environment. It is implemented by Azorina and Island Natural Parks with the support and partnership of dozens of organisations and institutions.