The coordinator of the LIFE Natura@night project and SPEA-BirdLife Madeira, Cátia Gouveia, presented the initiative's results at the 4th World Seabird Conference, held in Hobart, Tasmania, from September 7 to 11.
The project focuses on reducing the impact of light pollution on seabirds, an experience shared by the archipelagos of Madeira, Azores, and the Canary Islands. Cátia Gouveia highlighted that light pollution poses a significant threat, disorienting juvenile birds and leading them to urban areas where they are exposed to road accidents and other dangers. In Macaronesia, over 10,200 seabirds are rescued annually due to disorientation caused by artificial lighting.
The project has demonstrated that light pollution is a real problem with available solutions. Between 2022 and 2025, 715 light fixtures were replaced with lower-impact solutions, achieving energy savings of up to 60% in some municipalities. Participation in the conference aims to bring the voice of Madeira and Macaronesia to an international stage, contributing to the global debate on seabird conservation and the search for new, nature-friendly lighting methods.
