RSPB Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government to urgently address the lack of protection for seabirds at sea.
A new report by the wildlife charity says urgent action is needed to stop significant, long-term declines in seabird populations.
The report proposes that the government designates seven Special Protection Area (SPA) sites at key locations around the country.
These include sandbanks off the Firth of Forth, the sea north of St Kilda and an area of the Pentland Firth.
Director of RSPB Scotland, Stuart Housden, said: “Scotland has a fantastic opportunity to show the world that we value our wildlife and natural environment.
“Unfortunately this is not the case when it comes to our iconic seabirds, species for which Scotland in particular has a special responsibility to protect.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to designate these 7 areas as a first step to creating the full network needed to fulfil the requirements of EU and Scottish legislation.”
The recommended sites were first identified in 2012 by the government’s statutory advisors, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), and cover areas used by a range of birds including Puffins, Storm Petrels and Kittiwakes.
They are considered to be vital feeting areas and are used by tens of thousands of seabirds.
“With numerous proposed windfarm developments ‘queuing up’ in the areas that overlap key feeding sites for birds, we cannot wait any longer. The best feeding sites for seabirds must be given the protection the Government’s own scientists say they deserve. The time for action is now,” said Mr Housden.
The Scottish Government has already designated 33 SPA colony extension sites, but most of the critically important areas where seabirds feed at sea are still unprotected.