The Port of Barcelona has launched a pioneering environmental initiative to encourage the Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) to nest along the Dic de l’Est breakwater, marking a globally innovative approach within the port sector. This effort responds to significant changes in the species’ nesting patterns. Since 2016, one of the world’s most important colonies has gradually relocated to the port, reaching 1,245 breeding pairs in 2025.
This shift is largely due to the transformation of natural habitats, such as the Llobregat and Ebro deltas, increased terrestrial predation, and geomorphological changes that have led to the relocation of nesting sites. To address this situation, the Port developed a comprehensive strategy centred on creating safe artificial habitats. A pilot project launched in 2022 tested different substrates, shelters, and structural configurations to determine the gulls’ preferences.. The results confirmed the viability of creating nesting areas on unpaved surfaces protected from disturbance and predation.
Even before the pilot phase, the Port had begun implementing management measures to balance conservation with operational needs. Among these, key measures included the precautionary allocation of areas where activities could continue without compromising environmentally sensitive sites, as well as the implementation of temporary closures and restrictions of the port activities during breeding periods. Based on the pilot’s success, the Port transformed over 1,000 metres of the Dic de l’Est breakwater into a suitable breeding environment. Actions included removing concrete surfaces, installing gabion structures filled with sand and gravel, creating dune-like microhabitats, and providing shelters for chicks. Hydroseeding with native plants further improved ecological conditions and stabilised the terrain.
A continuous monitoring system, coordinated with scientific and public institutions, includes regular monitoring visits, the designation of sensitive areas, and restricted access protocols. As a result, it has been possible to document the stable establishment of the Audouin’s gull colony on the Dic de l’Est breakwater and ensure that port activities do not interfere with its breeding success. This action demonstrates that port development and the conservation of protected species can be successfully aligned through innovative solutions and the creation of functional artificial habitats.