Do long lived seabirds reduce the negative effects of acute pollution on adult survival by skipping breeding? A study with European storm petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus) during the “Prestige” oil-spill

► We estimated the survival probability of breeding European storm petrels before, during and after a severe oil-spill and most of the evidence (64%) contained in the data supported the non-effect of the spill on adult survival hypothesis. ► Punctual impact of the spill on survival and expanded (3 years) impact alternatives received less support (17% and 19%, respectively). ► Effect size of the spill on averaged survival estimates was negligible in every case. ► Our results suggest that European storm petrels minimize the impact of acute pollution or other short term adverse conditions by not investing in reproduction.