Priorities for Future Research

Most studies of Herring Gull have concentrated on species during recovery and post-recovery periods and have emphasized role of scavenging. Future research should emphasize Herring Gull as component of marine community and focus on species’ role (1) in mixed-species foraging aggregations, (2) as intertidal predator, and (3) in offshore fisheries. Much emphasis has been placed on Herring Gull as scavenger around fishing boats, with little emphasis on how fishermen use gulls (or other seabirds) to locate schools of fish or prime areas to set nets. Work in Europe has shown that both Great and Lesser Black-backed gulls outcompete Herring Gull for fisheries waste and for limited marine fish stocks. Good long-term population studies both of colonies and marked individuals needed to learn whether similar factors are at work in New England and Canada. Need to know if Herring Gull is actually increasing in numbers or simply expanding range southward in response to factors making northern parts of range less suitable, e.g., collapse of fish stocks, competition, and predation by Great Black-backed Gulls.