Offshore Birding Meets Caribbean Seabird Conservation
Every year, seabirds travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic and Caribbean, relying on healthy marine ecosystems and protected nesting habitats to survive. Among them is the Black-capped Petrel, one of the rarest and most endangered seabirds in the Caribbean region.
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) is partnering with Seabirding to help raise awareness about seabird conservation and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable species like the Black-capped Petrel.
Seabirding offers offshore pelagic birding trips along the North Carolina coast, giving participants the opportunity to observe seabirds such as shearwaters, storm-petrels, tropicbirds, and occasionally Black-capped Petrels in their natural ocean habitat. These trips help connect birders and ocean enthusiasts directly to the conservation work happening across the Caribbean, where many of these species breed and depend on protected island ecosystems for survival.
While Black-capped Petrels spend most of their lives far out at sea, they return to remote mountain nesting sites in the Caribbean to breed. These fragile nesting habitats face growing threats from invasive species, habitat degradation, artificial light pollution, and climate change.
About the Petrel Program
EPIC’s Petrel Program works to support seabird conservation through:
- Research and monitoring
- Nesting habitat protection
- Invasive species management
- Community outreach and education
- Long-term ecosystem restoration across Caribbean islands
By introducing people to these remarkable birds offshore, Seabirding helps build awareness and appreciation for the conservation work needed to protect them throughout the Caribbean.
How You Can Support the Petrel Program
Support from the public helps EPIC continue critical conservation work throughout the Caribbean. Donations directly support seabird research, habitat restoration, conservation equipment, educational materials, and field operations.
You can support the Petrel Program by:
- Donating to EPIC’s conservation efforts
- Sharing awareness about Caribbean seabird conservation
- Following and supporting EPIC’s work
- Participating in responsible wildlife and seabird tourism