Strangford Lough

Bird species included in model

Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

Environmental issues simulated

Shellfishery management with extreme weather, changing habitat area, availability time, food quality and energy requirements. Mitigation due to fishing ban.

Recommendations from modelling

Mechanised cockle harvesting has a greater impact on shorebird survival than cockling cockles by hand.

More information

West, A.D., Stillman, R.A. and Portig, A., 2002. Modelling of the interaction between oystercatchers and shellfish in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Dorset.

Funding

Environment and Heritage Service of Northern Ireland