Background The LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater project (LIFE06 NAT/MT/000097) set a precedent for undertaking seabird research and conservation in Malta, with intensive fieldwork undertaken to ascertain key feeding and rafting areas for the Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan) breeding colony at Rdum tal-Madonna, the largest of its kind in Malta. The research for this project was undertaken with the aim of trialling methods to identify Marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for this species and other seabird species, which will help the Maltese government designating Marine Special Protected Areas (SPAs). As a second output, the project has created a roadmap for the Maltese government to fulfil its obligations of designating Marine SPAs for all of its internationally important seabird colonies. Objectives This new LIFE+ project is the logical progression of the EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater project and uses the roadmap to address the designation of Marine SPAs for three important bird species, across multiple colonies, through the identification of Marine IBAs. These Marine IBAs will then be designated as Marine SPAs by the Maltese government. Expected results: Creation of a complete inventory of Marine IBAs for P.yelkouan, (Cory's Shearwater) C.diomedea, and storm petrel (H. pelagicus) breeding in Malta up to 25 nautical miles, through a combination of boat-based observations, telemetry and modelling, as per established BirdLife International criteria; Designation of the relevant sites identified through this project as SPAs forming part of the Natura 2000 network in line with Malta’s obligations and its jurisdiction within the duration of the project; Identification of Marine IBAs located within international waters (beyond 25 nm) for the project’s three target species, and recommendation of their classification as Marine Protected Areas under international Mediterranean Conservation Agreements, such as the Barcelona Convention or AEWA; Production of a technical report detailing the overall inventory of Marine IBAs (in both territorial and international waters), including full details and maps of each site; Enlargement and maintenance of the Central Mediterranean Seabirds at Sea database, following up the results of the LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater project through the creation of a GIS database; A report on the diets of the three target seabird species, particularly their main prey species; A report on the quantification of conflict between nesting yellow-legged gulls (L. michahellis) and H. pelagicus on Filfla and methods to resolve this conflict (if any); Reports of proceedings from a workshop aimed at countries within the Central Mediterranean concerning collaboration on the designation of shared Marine IBAs in international waters; and Widespread dissemination of project actions to raise awareness of seabird conservation and Marine IBAs and SPAs of Malta and how Malta is working to achieve its international obligations.