Based on International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) assessments and scientific literature, Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is in good status. Spawning stock biomass has increased substantially since the 2003 OSPAR listing and is now at the highest levels since the 1960s. Spatial distribution has expanded. There are effective management measures in place and there is no overfishing.

The world population of the ivory gull is declining. This decline is also evident in the OSPAR Arctic Waters (Region I) with a 40% reduction in breeding numbers in Svalbard. Numbers seem to be stable in Greenland, but this may change as the species is threatened by pollution and the disappearance of its key habitat: sea-ice.

Since the first status assessment, there have been considerable improvements in the monitoring of Macaronesian shearwater in the Wider Atlantic (Region V), despite population size being assumed to be far below the numbers found in the past. In the Azores, the situation has been apparently stable since the last assessment. In the neighbouring archipelagos, outside of the OSPAR maritime area, however, the species is likely not doing so well. No information is available regarding the non-breeding population.

The status of M. modiolus beds with regard to distribution, extent and condition is generally poor throughout the OSPAR Maritime Area. In the Greater North Sea (Region II), there is evidence of clear decreases in distribution and extent. In the Celtic Seas (Region III), distribution appears stable, but the extent has declined. Condition is poor in both regions, however, the trend in condition is mixed, with condition improving in certain beds. No assessments were available for the other OSPAR Regions.

Status of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) is not expected to have changed significantly since the addition of the species to the OSPAR list in 2003. Status may have continued to worsen until 2010, and any subsequent recovery can only be very slow. The main threat, fishing, has been strongly reduced by fishery regulation.

Since the first status assessment in 2009, there have been considerable improvements in the status of Roseate tern, mostly in the Greater North Sea and Celtic Seas, although the size of those populations is far below the historic numbers found in the 1960s (used here as baseline). In the Wider Atlantic, both distribution and population size are apparently stable although monitoring on the condition (breeding productivity and individual survival) of this population is missing.

The global Steller’s eider Polysticta stelleri population is considered vulnerable (VU; IUCN Redlist - Assessed BirdLife International, 2018). There is a long-term negative trend for the wintering population within Arctic Waters (OSPAR Region I). The main causes for a declining wintering population may be a combination of general population decline, and a potential shift in wintering areas further north and east, that formerly were covered in ice during winter (Aarvak et al., 2012).

The purpose of the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or declining species and habitats (Agreement 2008-06) (the OSPAR List) is to guide the OSPAR Commission in setting priorities for its further work on the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity in implementing Annex V to the OSPAR Convention. You can find more information on the OSPAR website.