The ever-increasing light pollution on the islands is confusing young seabirds nesting on cliffs, getting them to fly inland instead of going out fishing and leading them to desert their nests, according to a detailed study released yesterday.
The report launched by the EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater Project comprising government authorities and conservation NGOs finds light pollution in Malta getting worse affecting seabird population but also leaving long-term effects on humans.
The study focused on the impact of light on Yelkouan Shearwaters, a seabird that nests in cliffs and whose presence in Malta totals around 10% of the world’s population of the specie.
Among the findings, the study reports how young birds leave their nests attracted by bright, dazzling lights, colliding with buildings and getting injured in the process when they should be flying out to sea for fishing.
BirdLife – which is a partner in this project – said yesterday the report confirms the several cases of young injured shearwaters every year.
“The nesting sites of the seabirds are also affected by light pollution,” BirdLife said. “Birds have been known to desert their nests even if one or two electric lights are installed nearby, so major developments have seriously reduced the amount of nesting habitat available shearwaters.”
Among the greatest pollutants is the multitude of globe lights installed along promenades, together with spot lights and multiple rows of street lights put in the same areas unnecessarily. Hotel facades were also found to be a problem
Project Manager Helen Raine said: “Light pollution is a very serious problem in Malta for shearwaters and other species. We need the government to start taking this seriously. Incredibly, there are currently no regulations or official guidelines to control light pollution and consequently inappropriate and damaging lighting is still being installed. New legislation and enforcement is urgently required for future developments as well as consideration of how to reduce the current levels of light in Malta. We call upon the government to ensure that this happens.”
The report outlines an action plan for the government to reduce light pollution on a national level, especially in important ecological areas as those hosting shearwaters. The key actions outlined include the adoption into Maltese law of measures to reduce light pollution in future development through the planning system, particularly within a prescribed number of kilometres around ecologically sensitive areas.
The study also proposes a public awareness campaign to encourage residents to switch off lights, remove or replace the excessive or inappropriate outdoor lighting; the creation of a business awareness campaign to prevent excessive illumination in hotel porches and grounds; the removal of globe lights and their complete prohibition of their future use and the replacement with a full cut-off design in key areas near shearwater colonies; the replacement of other street lighting; and seeking funding for future work in this area that will also contribute to a reduction of Cardbon Dioxide emissions.
Artificial light pollution is also turning out to be a problem for humans as initial research shows that it can lead to increased levels of anxiety, lack of sleep and loss of visual sharpness. Separate published studies also suggest a link between exposure to night light and risk of breast cancer, due to the suppression of the normal nocturnal production of melatonin. Artificial lighting and badly shielded light sources can blind drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and this can affect road safety and contribute to accidents.
The report was carried out by project partners Helen Raine (BirdLife Malta) and John J. Borg (Heritage Malta) and focused on assessing light pollution near the shearwater colonies in the cliffs, particularly at the project site of Rdum tal-Madonna, L-Ahrax tal-Mellieha.