On September 28, 1976, DIÁRIO de Notícias da Madeira published a report about an expedition to the Selvagens Islands that documented the destruction of the shearwater colony.
Journalist Manuel Nicolau described a desolate scene, with thousands of adult bird wings and decaying carcasses of chicks scattered across the island. Alexander Zino, accompanying the expedition, expressed deep sadness and concern for the species' future, noting that the death of adult birds has a severe impact due to the shearwater's slow reproductive cycle.
At the time, the commander of the Port of Funchal, Joaquim Rosário da Costa, acknowledged the inadequacy of existing legislation and advocated for stricter enforcement to protect the islands' fauna and flora.
