--- title: "2008 News Archive" --- # 2008 News Archive ## Tristan Albatross: worst breeding season yet. NEW UPDATE The Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* of Gough Island in the South Atlantic has had in recent years a consistently low breeding success, due to introduced House Mice Mus musculus regularly killing its chicks during the winter months. Whole-island counts conducted during incubation and again at the large chick stage this year have now revealed the poorest breeding season yet recorded. Of 1764 incubating pairs present in January only 245 chicks were counted in late September, giving a breeding success (assuming no further mortality) of only 13.9%. This is about one fifth of what should be expected for a great albatross and is clearly not sufficient to sustain the population. In one area of the island with 248 incubating birds counted only two chicks have survived! In 2007 overall breeding success was higher at 33.4%, with 427 chicks counted (but still far too low). The 2008 season results confirm it is essential to eradicate Gough's mice as soon as possible to save the Tristan Albatross from eventual extinction. Go to [http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/publications.asp](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/publications.asp) for information on Gough's mice and the birds they attack. Conservation research on the ACAP-listed Tristan Albatross at Gough Island is conducted jointly by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK) and the University of Cape Town (South Africa). Support comes from the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Birds Australia, the Tristan da Cunha Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and the UK Overseas Territories Environment Programme. For two more recent news items on Gough's killer mice see: [http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/gough_island.html](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/gough_island.html ) and [http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-205319](http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-205319) To view a night-time video of mice attacking a Tristan Albatross chick go to: [http://www.arkive.org/news/20081215-albatross-under-threat-from-predatory-mice.html.](http://www.arkive.org/news/20081215-albatross-under-threat-from-predatory-mice.html.) News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer and Richard Cuthbert, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Posted 26 September 2008, last updated 29 January 2009 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/tristan-albatross-worst-breeding-season-yet.md) ## Marine Ornithology Vol. 36 No.1 published on the web   The latest issue of **[Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org/)** (Vol. 36 No. 1 for 2008) is now available on the journal's web site.  Go directly  to [http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_BackCover.pdf](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_BackCover.pdf) to view  the contents page. The first paper* in the issue reports on an initiative of ACAP's Advisory Committee to develop critera against which to judge candidate species for listing on Annex 1 of the Agreement.  The three North Pacific albatrosses of the genus *Phoebastria* are identified  as the strongest candidates for inclusion. [*COOPER, J. & BAKER, G.B. 2008.  Identifying candidate species for inclusion within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.  *Marine Ornithology* 36: 1-8.](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_1-8.pdf) *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 03 August 2008*     [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/marine-ornithology-vol-36-no1-published-on-the-web.md) ## Southern Seabirds Solutions publishes Newsletter No.10 The Southern Seabird Solutions Trust promotes the adoption of fishing practices that avoid the mortality of southern hemisphere seabirds.  The Trust  has published its 10th Newsletter - for August 2008.  Find it at [http://www.southernseabirds.org/August_2008_Newsletter](http://www.southernseabirds.org/August_2008_Newsletter). An extract follows: "Since 2002, the Trust has been working with fishermen, the fishing industry, governments and NGOs to reduce seabird by-catch in southern hemisphere fisheries.  Through skipper exchanges, workshops, educational resources and other activities we have focused our energies on working with fishermen – because we believe that fishermen hold the key to reducing seabird by-catch." The Trust will hold a two-day meeting from **10-11 November 2008 in Nelson,New Zealand** to consider where and how it can make the biggest contribution to solving seabird by-catch over the next five years both domestically and internationally. Guest speakers at the event will include Professor John Croxall, Chair of BirdLife International's Global Seabird Programme, and Professor Carlos Moreno, Universidad Austral de Chile, who is a leader in Chile's efforts to reduce seabird by-catch.   *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 August 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/southern-seabirds-solutions-publishes-newsletter-no10.md) ## Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust publishes Newsletter No. 11 The [Southern Seabird Solutions Trust](http://www.southernseabirds.org/) promotes the adoption of fishing practices that avoid the mortality of southern hemisphere seabirds.  The Trust  has published its 11th Newsletter - for December 2008.  Find it at [http://www.southernseabirds.org/n1424,183.html](http://www.southernseabirds.org/n1424,183.html). *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 December 2008*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/southern-seabirds-solutions-trust-publishes-newsletter-no-11.md) ## Seabird Bycatch Working Group successfully completes its second meeting ACAP's Seabird Bycatch Working Group held a productive two-day meeting on 17 and 18 August 2008 in Hermanus, on the south coast of South Africa's Western Cape Province. The meeting was led by its Convenor, Barry Baker (Australia), supported by the Vice-Convenor, Carlos Moreno (Chile), with members and observers from most ACAP Parties, and observers from several range states and NGOs. A very full agenda was covered, with [34 tabled documents](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=259:docman-menu) considered. Following an update of research on new mitigation techniques reported by attendees, discussions covered issues relating to mitigation of bycatch in both demersal longline and trawl fisheries and revising existing advice on mitigation measures for pelagic longline fisheries. Consideration of the co-ordination of activities with Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs), capacity-building issues, provision of bycatch data by Parties, and the group's work programme rounded off the group's deliberations. The Working Group's report will be considered at the Fourth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee, to be held in Somerset West, South Africa from 22-35 August 2008. Information from Barry Baker, Convenor, ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group, posted 19 August 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/seabird-bycatch-working-group-successfully-completes-its-second-meeting.md) ## An inventory of World Heritage Sites that support ACAP-listed species **{mosimage}** “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage”. To the above quote may be added many of the places where ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels breed. A number of such sites has been registered with the World Heritage Convention ([http://whc.unesco.org](http://whc.unesco.org/)), bringing an international status, and stature, to them. A list of such World Heritage sites and their breeding ACAP species follows, in order of ACAP Party. **AUSTRALIA** ***Heard & McDonald Islands*** Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. Heard Island covers approximately 36 800 ha, the McDonald Islands 1 800 ha, and the territory nominated as a World Heritage Site includes the adjacent offshore rocks and shoals. The area includes all territorial waters to a distance of 12 nautical miles. Breeding ACAP species are Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris*, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross *Phoebetria palpebrata* and Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*. The Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* has bred in the past. [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/himi.html](http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/himi.html) and [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/577](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/577). See also: [http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/heard-mcdonald/index.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/heard-mcdonald/index.html) and [http://www.heardisland.aq/](http://www.heardisland.aq/).   ***Macquarie******Island*** Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. Comprises Macquarie Island, Bishop and Clerk Islets, Judge and Clerk Islets and surrounding waters to a distance of 12 nautical miles. There are seven ACAP-listed breeding species: Wandering Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross *T. chrysostoma*, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel, Northern Giant Petrel *M. halli* and Grey Petrel *Procellaria cinerea*. [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/macquari.html](http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/macquari.html) and [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/629](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/629). See also: [http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/macquarie/index.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/macquarie/index.html).   ***Tasmanian Wilderness*** Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982. The site includes the offshore islets of Mewstone and Pedra Branca that support two of the three breeding populations of the Shy Albatross *T. cauta*. [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/taswild.html](http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/taswild.html) and [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/181](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/181). See also: [http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/tasmanian-wilderness/index.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/tasmanian-wilderness/index.html) and [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=391](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=391). **ECUADOR**   ***Galápagos******National Park******and Marine Reserve*** Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978 and extended in 2001. Placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2007. Includes the island of Española, breeding locality of the Waved Albatross *Phoebastria irrorata*. A 40-nm marine reserve surrounds the archipelago. [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/galapago.html](http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/galapago.html) and [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1).   **NEW ZEALAND** ***New Zealand******Subantarctic Islands*** Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The World Heritage Site includes five island groups (Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell and Snares), including their 12-nm territorial seas. A total of 12 ACAP-listed species breeds within the World Heritage Site: *Antipodes Albatross *D. antipodensis* (and its subspecies *Gibson’s Albatross *D. a. gibsoni*), *Southern Royal Albatross *D. epomophora*, Black-browed Albatross, *Campbell Albatross *T. impavida*, Grey-headed Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross *T. salvini*, *White-capped Albatross *T. steadi*, Buller’s Albatross *T. bulleri*, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis* and Grey Petrel. *Endemic/near-endemic to the World Heritage Site. [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/subantar.htm](http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/subantar.htm) and [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/877](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/877).   Reference: Department of Conservation 1997. *Subantarctic islands heritage. Nomination of the New Zealand Subantarctic islands by the Government of New Zealand for inclusion in the World Heritage List*. Wellington: Department of Conservation. 76 pp. ISBN 0-478-01910-0.   **UNITED KINGDOM** **Gough and Inaccessible Islands** Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995 (Gough Island) and extended to include Inaccessible Island in 2004. The extended site includes both islands and their territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles. ACAP species breeding are Tristan Albatross *D. dabbenena* (endemic to the World Heritage Site), Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *T. chlororhynchos*, Sooty Albatross *Phoebetria fusca*, Southern Giant Petrel, Grey Petrel and Spectacled Petrel *Procellaria conspicillata* (endemic to the World Heritage Site). [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/gough.html](http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/gough.html) and [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740).   Nineteen (nearly three-quarters) of the 26 ACAP-listed species currently breed within at least one World Heritage Site. If South Africa is successful in nominating a World Heritage Site at the Prince Edward Islands from its tentative list, this coverage will increase to 21 species, with the inclusion of the Wandering Albatross *D. exulans* and the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross *T. carteri*. (see [http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1923/](http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1923/) and [www.deat.gov.za](http://www.deat.gov.za/)). Norway has placed Bouvet Island (where Southern Giant Petrels have been recorded breeding in the past) on its tentative list ([http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5162/](http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5162/)). For information on books on the above islands and island groups [click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=127&Itemid=28); for information on management plans [click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&Itemid=28).   *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 12 November 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/an-inventory-of-world-heritage-sites-that-support-acap-listed-species.md) ## Funds available to support remote-tracking of albatrosses and petrels ###  {mosimage} ### ### BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme, supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation,** i****nvites proposals for funds to purchase remote-tracking devices to track albatrosses and petrels in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans**** ** US $78,000 funding is available to support the purchase of remote tracking devices (or satellite time) to track albatross and petrel distribution in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.  Preference will be given to studies which: Track species whose foraging ranges are thought to overlap with tuna and swordfish longline fisheries in the Atlantic or Indian Oceans Fill data gaps in knowledge on albatross and petrel distribution Will produce results by 2010/early 2011 Track birds from colonies Have secured funding to support deployment of devices and analysis of data  Data ownership and publication rights will reside with the data collector. However, the expectation is that data collected using these devices will be submitted to the Global Procellariiform Tracking Database, and made available for analysis of the overlap between albatross and petrel distribution and tuna and swordfish fisheries in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.      **To apply for funding, please send a brief (less than one-page) description of the project to Helen Booker ([helen.booker@rspb.org.uk](mailto:helen.booker@rspb.org.uk)), with details of the species covered, likely timetable of data collection and analysis, and funding sought. If necessary, short-listed projects will be invited to submit a fuller (2-4 page) description of the project.**** ** **Closing date: 24 October 2008 ** Posted 27 September 2008 {mosimage}[http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/publications.asp](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/publications.asp) [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/funds-available-to-support-remote-tracking-of-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## IPOA-Seabirds assessment of fisheries in the South Atlantic published An assessment** in terms of the FAO International Plan of Action – Seabirds for three fisheries conducted in FAO Subareas 48.3 and 48.4 in the South Atlantic is now available.  Go to [www.sgisland.gs](http://www.sgisland.gs/) and look for the news section or go straight to  "Environment Documents" at [http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28g%29Environment_Documents?useskin=gov](http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28g%29Environment_Documents?useskin=gov).   The three fisheries covered are Patagonian Toothfish longline, Mackerel Icefish trawl and Krill trawl.  The report concludes that NPOA-Seabirds are not required for any of these fisheries. It notes that in the longline fishery (which is Marine Stewardship Council-certified; [www.msc.org](http://www.msc.org/)) bird bycatch has been reduced to zero, has been greatly reduced in the icefish fishery and has not been recently reported in the krill fishery.   **Varty, N., Sullivan, B.J. & Black, A.D. 2008.  FAO International Plan of Action-Seabirds: an assessment for fisheries operating in South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.  BirdLife International Seabird Programme.  Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  96 pp.   John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer   Posted 11 May 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/ipoa-seabirds-assessment-of-fisheries-in-the-south-atlantic-published.md) ## BirdLife International to organize a tracking meeting The BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme intends holding a tracking meeting to discuss future opportunities for the database and review progress so far. The half-day meeting will be held immediately before the Fourth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels in Cape Town South Africa on the afternoon of Sunday 10 August at the conference venue (see http://iapc4.adu.org.za). The tracking database has proven an invaluable conservation tool over the last four years. Thanks to the collaboration of scientists worldwide it continues to expand as new data sets are added. In the next few months it is hoped to establish a website for the database. For more information contact Cleo Small, International Marine Policy Officer, BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme at cleo.small@rspb.org.uk. Information contributed by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 April 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/birdlife-international-to-organize-a-tracking-meeting.md) ## Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team to hold open session in Cape Town The meeting of the Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team (START 4),  to be held in Cape Town immediately before the Fourth International Albatross and Petrel Conference, will commence  with a public presentation session.  All interested persons are welcome to attend this session. AGENDA Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team Meeting Hotel Protea Victoria Junction Cape Town, SA August 8-10, 2008   August 8 8:00-8:30                     Introductory Remarks and Logistics, Greg Balogh  **Public Presentation Session**** ** 8:30-9:15                     Short-tailed albatross Population Monitoring (Hiroshi Hasegawa)  9:15-9:45                     Seabird Bycatch Reduction Research (Greg Balogh for Ed Melvin)  9:45-10:15                   Summary Of Current Seabird Bycatch Regulations And International Bycatch Reduction Actions. (Kim Rivera)      10:15-10:30                 Break   10:15-10:45                 Satellite Telemetry of non-breeding short-tailed albatross (Rob Suryan)    10:45-11:15                 Satellite Telemetry of breeding short-tailed albatross (Rob Suryan)   11:15-11:45                 Explanation of recent population modeling efforts and PVA (Paul Sievert           )   11:45-12:00                 Laysan Albatross Translocation (Judy Jacobs)   12:00-1:00                   Lunch   1:00-1:30                     Black-footed Albatross Translocation (Tomohiro Deguchi)   1:30-2:15                     Short-tailed Albatross Translocation (Tomohiro Deguchi)   2:15-2:45                     Preliminary results of satellite telemetry of newly fledged chicks (Rob Suryan)   2:45-3:15                     Progress in establishing a colony at Hatsune-zaki (Kiyoaki Ozaki)  **End of Public presentation session**   **Closed Door Session of START 4 Begins**** ** 3:30-5:00 PM              Recovery Team Round-table Discussion Topics: How does new information affect our thinking on recovery criteria? END DAY ONE   _______________________________________________________________________ Aug. 9   8:00AM-5:00PM         Recovery Team Round-table Discussion Topics (Continued):   2) Discussion of new recovery criteria for final Recovery Plan   resulting from peer reviewed comments and new information   3) Past funding review and future funding outlook   4) The future of albatross translocation   5) The future of satellite telemetry studies   END DAY TWO ________________________________________________________________________ Aug. 10 8:00 AM-5:00 PM       Recovery Team Round-table Discussion Topics (Continued):   6) The future of colony establishment with decoys and sound   7) Monitoring plan for albatross translocation   8) Reassessment of threats   9) Other discussion topics from Discussion Topic Parking Lot   10) Reassessment of recovery tasks   11) Reprioritization of recovery tasks   END DAY THREE   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/short-tailed-albatross-recovery-team-to-hold-open-session-in-cape-town.md) ## North Pacific Albatross Conservation Plans ## {mosimage} At its Third Meeting, held in Valdivia, Chile in June 2007, ACAP’s Advisory Committee discussed the desirability of listing new species of procellariiforms within the Agreement, following a consideration of a document* that used an additive scoring system to assess all 129 members of the tubenose order as potential candidates for listing. The three North Pacific Albatrosses of the genus *Phoebastria* emerged as the strongest candidates in this exercise.  As a consequence the Advisory Committee requested the Secretariat to produce an intersessional document to aid a further discussion at its next meeting. It is thus timely that Canada and the USA, both range states for North Pacific albatrosses, have recently produced documents that assess the current status of two of these three albatrosses. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC, [www.cosewic.gc.ca](http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/)) published in 2007 an assessment and status report on the Black-footed Albatross *P. nigripes*. In 2003 COSEWIC had produced a similar report for the Short-tailed Albatross *P. albatrus*. These two reports can be found at [www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm](http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). In October 2007 the USA released its first version of a conservation action plan for both the Black-footed and Laysan *P. immutabilis* Albatrosses, produced by its U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/conservation.htm](http://www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/conservation.htm)). Previously in 2005 the USFWS published a draft Recovery Plan for the Short-tailed Albatross ([http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/051027.pdf](http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/051027.pdf)). These four documents will materially aid the ACAP Secretariat, with the promised help of interested Parties, to prepare its report for the Fourth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, to be held in South Africa in August 2008. If support is then forthcoming, the Advisory Committee will seek a Party or Parties to propose the listing of the three North Pacific Albatrosses to its Third Meeting of Parties, due to be held in 2009. More information on North Pacific albatrosses may be found at the web sites of the North Pacific Albatross Working Group ([http://npawg.wikispaces.com](http://npawg.wikispaces.com/)), the Tagging of Pacific Predators programme ([http://topp.org](http://topp.org/)) and the Oikonos non-profit organization [http://www.oikonos.org/projects/albatross.htm](http://www.oikonos.org/projects/albatross.htm). *Cooper, J. & Baker, G. B. Choosing candidate species for future inclusion within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. [***CLICK HERE to read ACAP AC3 Doc 18***](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=52&Itemid=33) *News from John Cooper, ACAP Honorary Information Officer, with information supplied by Louise Blight and Maura Naughton Posted 16 March 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/north-pacific-albatross-conservation-plans.md) ## SCAR and Southern Giant Petrels # **SCAR to assess the conservation status of Antarctica’s Southern Giant Petrels**  The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) will hold a workshop entitled “Status of the Southern Giant Petrel in the Antarctic Region.  Reaching Consensus for an IUCN Endangerment Criterion Listing at the Regional Level to be Presented to the Committee for Environmental Protection in 2008”.  The workshop will be held at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom on 19-20 May 2008.  The sole aim of the workshop is reach consensus on whether, using the IUCN (World Conservation Union) criteria for assessment of endangerment, the Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus* should be listed as a Specially Protected Species under Annex II of the Protocol on Environmental Protection.   SCAR is inviting all researchers and organizations working on Southern Giant Petrels to submit data for the assessment process.  Any researcher wishing to attend or organization wishing to send a representative is welcome to do so.  SCAR has limited funds available to facilitate travel for those data holders who can make a significant contribution to the assessments.   Expressions of interest for attendance should be submitted to the Executive Secretary of SCAR (Dr Colin Summerhayes – [cps32@cam.ac.uk](mailto:cps32@cam.ac.uk)), to whom data, which SCAR will keep confidential outside the workshop, should also be sent.   The Southern Giant Petrel is the only species listed within ACAP that breeds within the Antarctic Treaty Area. The findings of the workshop will thus be of interest to ACAP’s Advisory Committee. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer*  Posted 17 March 2008   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/scar-and-southern-giant-petrels.md) ## South America forges ahead with NPOA-Seabirds **South America forges ahead with NPOA-Seabirds**  In 1999, The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) adopted its “International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries”.  The text is available at:   [http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/X3170E/X3170E00.HTM](http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/X3170E/X3170E00.HTM)   Perhaps because the IPOA-Seabirds is a voluntary instrument, progress with fishing nations adopting their own national plans (NPOA-Seabirds) has been somewhat slow, with several plans known to have been drafted which are not yet formally adopted.  Go to [http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa](http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa) to find some of the NPOA- Seabirds which have been adopted or are in draft, along with PDFs of the texts.   However, good progress is being achieved in South America, where three fishing nations, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, with known problems of seabirds (including many ACAP-listed species) being killed on longline hooks have all produced their NPOA-Seabirds in the last two years (see below).        Brazil  Neves, T., Olmos, F., Peppes, F. & Mohr, L.V. 2006.  National Plan of Action for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (NPOA-Seabirds Brazil).  *Threatened Species* *Series* No. 2. 128 pp. [also available in Portuguese]. [http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa](http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa) [http://www.acap.aq/en/images/NPOA/NPOA_Seabirds_Brazil_2007_English.pdf](https://www.acap.aq/images/NPOA/NPOA_Seabirds_Brazil_2007_English.pdf)    Chile  [Chile] 2006.  *Plan de Acción Nacional para reducir les capturas incidentales de Aves las pesquerías de palangre (PAN-AM /**Chile**).*  26 pp. [www.subpesca.cl/template/tablas_chicas/04.asp?IDSECCION=2015](http://www.subpesca.cl/template/tablas_chicas/04.asp?IDSECCION=2015) [http://www.acap.aq/en/images/NPOA/chile_pan_aves.pdf](https://www.acap.aq/images/NPOA/chile_pan_aves.pdf)    Uruguay  Domingo, A., Jiménez, S. & Passadore, C. 2007.  *Plan de Acción Nacional para Reducir la Captura Incidental de Aves**Marinas**en las Pesquerías Uruguayas.*  Montevideo: Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos.  75 pp. [http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa](http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa)    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with the help of Karin Mundnich (Chile) and Tatiana Neves (Brazil)* Posted 23 March 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-america-forges-ahead-with-npoa-seabirds.md) ## Rodent eradication plans to save Tristan’s seabirds published on the web Worldwide, introduced rodents have played havoc in seabird colonies, including of procellariiforms.  The Tristan da Cunha group, a United Kingdom Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, has not escaped this rodent plague.   The Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena,* an ACAP-listed species, is in the process of having its IUCN (World Conservation Union) category of threat increased from Endangered to Critically Endangered ([www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html)).  This has been due to the ongoing predation of chicks by introduced House Mice *Mus musculus* on Gough Island, the species’ main breeding site in the group.  A relict population (less than five pairs) breeds on (rodent-free) Inaccessible Island, but the population on the main island of Tristan is long extinct.   With funding from the UK Government’s Overseas Territories Conservation Programme ([www.ukotcf.org/OTEP/index.htm](http://www.ukotcf.org/OTEP/index.htm)) and with the support of the Tristan Government’s Agriculture & Natural Resources Department ([http://www.tristandc.com/wildlife.php](http://www.tristandc.com/wildlife.php)), the feasibility of eradicating rodents within the territory has been assessed by a team led by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK) and the University of Cape Town (South Africa).  Four reports from this ongoing project are now available on the web.       Go to [http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/index.asp](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/index.asp) to find news of the Tristan da Cunha Programme and then click on “Tristan Publications” for PDFs of the reports.      *John Cooper,  ACAP Information Officer*  Posted 23 March 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/rodent-eradication-plans-to-save-tristan-s-seabirds-published-on-the-web.md) ## Translocating Short-tailed Albatrosses  {mosimage} Ten Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* chicks have been moved by helicopter from their current stronghold on volcanic Torishima Island to the site of a former colony 350 km to the south-east.  The translocation site, Mukojima, part of Japan’s Bonin Islands), is non-volcanic.  Short-tailed Albatrosses bred here at least until the 1920s. Members of the the joint Japan/US Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team (START) will spend the next three months feeding the chicks before they take wing and head out to sea.  It will be five years before they reach sexual maturity and are ready to return to breed.  The START team intends to translocate at least ten more chicks annually for the next five years.  ACAP’s Advisory Committee is currently considering whether the Short-tailed Albatross (and the other two North Pacific Albatrosses) should be listed within the Agreement. For the full translocation story go to:  [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080321142057.htm](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080321142057.htm)  or   [http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/03/start_translocation.html](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/03/start_translocation.html)    Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer    23 March 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/translocating-short-tailed-albatrosses.md) ## Fourth Albatross and Petrel Conference: registration form now on web site  {mosimage}  Go to [http://iapc4.adu.org.za](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/) to find full details (including registration form) for the Fourth International Albatross and Petrel Conference, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 11-15 August 2008.   Enquires should be sent to Andrea Angel, Conference Organizer at [andreaangel.g@gmail.com](mailto:andreaangel.g@gmail.com)   *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 April 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-albatross-and-petrel-conference.md) ## Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team to meet in Cape Town  {mosimage} The Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team (START) will meet in Cape Town  prior to the Fourth International Conference on Albatrosses and  Petrels.  Please direct enquiries to Greg Balogh at [Greg_Balogh@fws.gov](mailto:Greg_Balogh@fws.gov).   *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 April 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/short-tailed-albatross-recovery-team.md) ## Canadian Recovery Strategy For Short-Tailed Albatross released   {mosimage} The Canadian Recovery Strategy for the Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* and Pink-footed Shearwater *Puffinus creatopus** has been finalised and is now posted on line at [http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=1354](http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=1354).   The goal of the Strategy is to support and augment international efforts to restore and increase populations of Short-tailed Albatrosses sand Pink-footed Shearwaters.  Recovery objectives for the species in Canada are to: minimize or remove threats under Canadian jurisdiction; identify and conserve Canadian marine habitats of importance; promote, support and augment international initiatives contributing to the recovery throughout their range; develop and implement educational activities that support recovery in Canada; and address knowledge gaps concerning threats and Short-tailed Albatross and Pink-footed Shearwater ecology in Canada.  A single action plan for the two species (which occupy similar marine habitats and face similar threats in Canada) is to be completed by July 2009.   ACAP’s Advisory Committee is considering whether the Short-tailed Albatross should be listed within the Agreement (see earlier news items relating to North Pacific albatrosses, including the Short-tailed, posted on 16 and 23 March and 10 April 2008).   The Pink-footed Shearwater (a Chilean breeding endemic) is not listed within ACAP, although it is listed (as is the Short-tailed Albatross) within Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS; [www.cms.int](http://www.cms.xxx/)).  Appendix I listings are of migratory species categorized as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of their range.   *Environment Canada 2008.  Recovery Strategy for the Short-tailed Albatross (*Phoebastria albatrus*) and the Pink-footed Shearwater (*Puffinus creatopus*) in Canada.  *Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series*.  Ottawa: Environment Canada.  vii + 46 pp.     *News from Louise Blight (**University of British Columbia**,**Canada**) and John Cooper (ACAP Information Officer); posted 09 May 2008.*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/canadian-recovery-strategy-for-short-tailed-albatross-released.md) ## Global review of IUU fishing available Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is known to cause high levels of seabird mortality, including of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels in the Southern Ocean.   A report* on IUU fishing by MRAG (the Marine Resources Assessment Group) and the University of British Columbia is now available at: [www.mrag.co.uk/Recent_Publications.htm](http://www.mrag.co.uk/Recent_Publications.htm). The April 2008 report reviews IUU fishing on a global scale, concluding that the total value of the estimated annual catch of 11-26 million tonnes is between US$10bn and US$23 bn.   *Agnew D., Pearce, T, Peatman, T., Pitcher, T., & Ganapathiraju, P. 2008.  The global extent of illegal fishing.  MRAG & Fisheries Ecosystems Restoration Research, Fisheries centre, University of British Columbia. 32 pp.   John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer   Posted 11 May 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/global-review-of-iuu-fishing-available.md) ## Procellariiform and bycatch newsletters of relevance to ACAP: updated list Several newsletters on procellariiform seabirds and on bycatch issues are of relevance to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.  A list follows.  Readers are requested to e-mail the ACAP Information Officer ([John.Cooper@ac.aq](https://www.acap.aq/John.Cooper@acap.aq)) with information on any not listed.  **The Albatross** Newsletter of the Southern Seabird Study Association Inc. (SOSSA), based in Australia.  First issued as the Newsletter of the New South Wales Albatross Study Group (No. 1 July 1993).  Current issue: No. 41, June 2008.  From No. 24 (November 2000) available electronically on SOSSA’s web site at [www.sossa-international.org](http://www.sossa-international.org/).  Current Editors: Brook Whylie, Janice Jenkin-Smith and Lindsay Smith at [sossa@tpg.com.au](mailto:sossa@tpg.com.au).  **Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter** Electronic newsletter.  No. 1 issued April 2006.  Current issue: No. 11, November/December 2008.  Not restricted to bycatch of birds but includes cetaceans and turtles.  Editor: Emma Bradshaw. [ejb@bigpond.net.au](mailto:ejb@bigpond.net.au).  **Sea Change** Electronic newsletter of BirdLife International’s Global Seabird Programme.  No. 1 undated but issued October 2005.  Current issue No. 4 (August 2008).  [http://seabirds.birdlife.org](http://seabirds.birdlife.org/).  See also [www.savethealbatross.net](http://www.savethealbatross.net/).  **Seabird Conservation Newsletter** Newsletter of the IAATO – Save the Albatross Campaign, which is run by The Albatross Project of Birds Australia ([www.birdsaustralia.com.au](http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/)).  IAATO is the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators ([www.iaato.org](http://www.iaato.org/)).  No. 1 issued July 2006, No. 2 August 2007, No. 3 October 2008.  Editor: Patricia Silva, [psrodri@mdp.edu.ar](mailto:psrodri@mdp.edu.ar). **Southern Seabirds Solutions** The Southern Seabird Solutions Trust (based in New Zealand) was formed in July 2002 to promote the adoption of fishing practices that avoid mortality of southern hemisphere seabirds.  Newsletter No. 1 issued September 2002.  Current issue: No. 11 of December 2008.  Available electronically at [www.southernseabirds.org](http://www.southernseabirds.org/)  **Tītī Times** Newsletter of the Kia Mau te Tītī Mo Ake Tōnu Atu (Keep the Titi Forever) research project, based in New Zealand.  Concentrates on the Sooty Shearwater (Titi) *Puffinus griseus*.  No. 1 issued January 1995.  Current issue: No. 20, October 2008.  Two more issues are expected as the research project comes to an end.  Back issues are free on request.  [www.otago.ac.nz/titi/links.html](http://www.otago.ac.nz/titi/links.html).  Editors (no. 20): Jamie Newman, Henrik Moller ([henrik.moller@otago.ac.nz](mailto:henrik.moller@otago.ac.nz)) and Ben Knight.  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 May 2008, last updated 24 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/procellariiform-and-bycatch-newsletters-of-relevance-to-acap-updated-list.md) ## Fourth Albatross and Petrel Conference: first registration date looms {mosimage}    Register for the Fourth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 11-15 August 2008, by 31 May to avoid  the late penalty payment.  Abstracts should most preferably also be submitted by this date   Go to [**http://iapc4.adu.org.za**](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/) to find full details (including registration form).   Enquires should be sent to Andrea Angel, Conference Organizer at [**andreaangel.g@gmail.com**](mailto:andreaangel.g@gmail.com) [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-albatross-and-petrel-conference-first-registration-date-looms.md) ## Latest issue of Marine Ornithology published electronically Marine Ornithology is a international journal of seabird science and conservation.  It is available free electronically, with PDFs of individual papers,  at [www.marineornithology.org](http://www.marineornithology.org/), where the latest issue, Volume  35(2) of 2007, has recently been posted.  Back numbers from Volume 16 are also available as PDFs on the web site.  Marine Ornithology has published  a number of papers on procellariiform seabirds listed within ACAP over the years, as well as a Forum Article describing the development of ACAP:  COOPER, J., BAKER, G.B., DOUBLE, M.C., GALES, R., PAPWORTH, W, TASKER, M.L. & WAUGH, S.M. 2006.  The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels: rationale, history, progress and the way forward.  *Marine Ornithology*34: 1-5. .John Cooper, Information Officer, posted 18 May 2008   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/latest-issue-of-marine-ornithology-published-electronically.md) ## Tristan Albatross now Critically Endangered – but help on the horizon? {mosimage} The Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena,* an ACAP-listed species endemic to the Tristan da Cunha Group in the South Atlantic, has been recategorized as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International on behalf of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). For details of this decision go to [www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/index.html) This recategorization is due to the continued predation of chicks by the introduced House Mouse *Mus musculus* on Gough Island, the species’ main breeding site in the group, as well as longline mortality at sea in the South Atlantic Ocean. Since 2001 when intensive studies of the species commenced, strong evidence of attacks by mice has been recorded in all six years of detailed observations, including this year, showing that the phenomenon is a regular and ongoing one. With funding from the UK Government’s Overseas Territories Conservation Programme ([www.ukotcf.org/OTEP/index.htm](http://www.ukotcf.org/OTEP/index.htm)) and with the support of the Tristan Government’s Agriculture & Natural Resources Department ([http://www.tristandc.com/wildlife.php](http://www.tristandc.com/wildlife.php)), the feasibility of eradicating rodents on Gough Island has been assessed, following a site visit by John Parkes of Landcare, New Zealand in September 2007. This assessment forms part of a larger project investigating the feasibility of eradicating rodents in the Tristan da Cunha Group. For more information and to view the various reports of the project go to: ([http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/index.asp](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/index.asp)). Following the Parkes Report, the Island Council of Tristan da Cunha (its governing body) has recently agreed to support the eradication of Gough’s mice. However, the report deems it first necessary to undertake more research on the mice to remove key areas of uncertainty before an eradication exercise is undertaken.. This is because no island the size of Gough has ever been rid of House Mice by aerial poisoning, and there is also concern whether a bait drop will place all the mice at risk, given the large number of caves and generally rugged nature of the island with its many incised valleys and coastal cliffs. This new research will commence in September 2008 and run until March 2010, funded by a new OTEP project entitled “Control of alien mice and plants at the Gough Island World Heritage Site”. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with information supplied by Kholekile Cita, Richard Cuthbert, Geoff Hilton, Peter Ryan and Ross Wanless.* Posted 20 May 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/tristan-albatross-now-critically-endangered-but-help-on-the-horizon.md) ## Buller’s Albatross of New Zealand now only Near Threatened: winning one back? Buller’s Albatross *Thalassarche bulleri*, an ACAP-listed species and a New Zealand breeding endemic, has been re-categorized (“down-listed”) to Near Threatened (from Vulnerable) by BirdLife International on behalf of the World Conservation Union.  Go to [www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/spcies/index.html) for the decision.   BirdLife International does not split Buller’s Albatross into two species.  ACAP has made the same decision, following the advice of its Advisory Committee’s Taxonomy Working Group.   According to the newly posted BirdLife Species Factsheet, the albatross’ population is regarded as stable and is “unlikely to become highly threatened in a short time owing to human activities or stochastic events”.    *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 May 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/buller-s-albatross-of-new-zealand-now-only-near-threatened-winning-one-back.md) ## Seabird Islands and Introduced Predators web site SEAPRE is a Research Cordination Network whose purpose is to bring scientists from around the world together to understand the importance of seabirds and introduced predators for island function and conservation.  Go to [www.seapre.uaf.edu](http://www.seapre.uaf.edu/) to learn more. ACAP's Action Plan states, *inter alia*, that:  "The Parties  shall take measures to the extent feasible to control and, where possible, eradicate non-native taxa of animals and plants, or hybrids thereof, that are, or may be, detrimental to populations of albatrosses and petrels". Managers and scientists involved in such activities within nations who are Parties to ACAP may thus find it worthwhile to browse this web site.  Information from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 05 June 2008.           [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/seabird-islands-and-introduced-predators-web-site.md) ## Waved Albatross now Critically Endangered {mosimage}    The Waved Albatross *Phoebastria irrorata,* an ACAP-listed species endemic to ACAP-Party Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, has been recategorized as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International on behalf of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).  For details of this decision go to [www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/index.html). [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/waved-albatross-now-critically-endangered.md) ## World Seabird Conference to be held in 2010    {mosimage} The Pacific Seabird Group ([www.pacificseabirdgroup.org](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/))  will host a World Seabird Conference in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from 7-11 September 2010.  The conference theme will be "Seabirds: A Global Perspective". ACAP is a participating body of the World Conference  and its  Vice Chair of its Advisory Committee (Mark Tasker)  and Information Officer (John Cooper) both serve on the Organizing Committee, which is chaired by David Irons of the USA. [ Click here for the first notice of the conference](https://www.acap.aq/images/NEWS_CIRCS/World_Seabird_Conference_6_8_08.pdf) Posted by John Cooper,  ACAP Information Officer, 10 June 2008        [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/world-seabird-conference-to-be-held-in-2010.md) ## Southern Giant Petrels on the Antarctic Continent considered not to be threatened {mosimage}   The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR; [www.scar.org](http://www.scar.org/)) held a workshop of experts over 19-20 May in Cambridge, UK to assess the conservation status of the Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus* – an ACAP-listed species - within the Antarctic Treaty Area (south of 60ºS).   In 2007 the Southern Giant Petrel was downlisted from Vulnerable to Near Threatened by BirdLife International ([www.birdlife.org.uk](http://www.birdlife.org.uk/)) on behalf of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).  The SCAR Workshop considered the latest (including unpublished) data on the species’ population size and trends, and decided that the regional (and global) populations warranted further down-listing to the category of Least Concern.  As a consequence of the workshop’s decision, BirdLife International will now institute a formal review of the species’ global status in 2009.   Meanwhile, the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty System ([www.ats.aq](http://www.ats.int/)), meeting in Kiev, Ukraine in June 2008 after the workshop, accepted SCAR’s conclusions, and, as a consequence, recommended to the XXXI Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) that followed that the Southern Giant Petrel should not be listed as a Specially Protected Species under Annex II of the ATS’ Protocol on Environmental Protection.  This advice was accepted by the XXXI ATCM, bringing to a seeming end a process that goes back several years.    *Information from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with the help of Steven Chown and Colin Summerhayes, posted 10 June 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/southern-giant-petrels-on-the-antarctic-continent-considered-not-to-be-threatened.md) ## Two seabird groups will travel to hold their conferences in 2009   Two regional seabird groups are holding conferences in their regular series in early 2009, and both are going to new countries to hold them. The Pacific Seabird Group ([www.pacificseabirdgroup.org](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/)), based in North America, will hold its 36th Annual Meeting in Hakodate, Hokkado, Japan from 23-25 February, with field trips planned either side of these dates. The Seabird Group ([www.seabirdgroup.ac.uk](http://www.seabirdgroup.ac.uk/)), based in the United Kingdom, will hold its 10th International Conference in Bruges, Belgium from 27-29 March 2009, with a post-conference excursion on the 30th. More information is available at [www.vliz.be/conferences/seabirdconference2009.be](http://www.vliz.be/conferences/seabirdconference2009.be).   *Information from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted**11 June 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/two-seabird-groups-will-travel-to-hold-their-conferences-in-2009.md) ## The Albatross Task Force: 2007 annual report available {mosimage}   The 2007 Annual Report* of the Albatross Task Force (ATF) may be found at [www.savethealbatross.net/documents/annualreport2007.pdf](http://www.savethealbatross.net/documents/annualreport2007.pdf). The ATF is an initiative of the Global Seabird Programme, operated by BirdLife International ([www.birdlife.org](http://www.birdlife.org)) with the support of the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([www.rspb.org.uk](http://www.rspb.org.uk)). The ATF works directly with fishers in reducing seabird mortality, especially from longline and trawling fisheries, by way of holding workshops, training fishery observers, demonstrating and conducting trials of mitigation methods and collecting bycatch data from commercial fishing vessels while at sea. To date the ATF operates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa (all ACAP Parties) and in Namibia and Uruguay. Plans are afoot to expand the Task Force in 2008 to include Ecuador and Peru, also Parties to ACAP. Go to [www.savethealbatross.net](http://www.savethealbatross.net) and [http://www.birdlife.org/action/campaigns/save_the_albatross/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/action/campaigns/save_the_albatross/index.html) to learn more. *BirdLife Global Seabird Programme 2008. Albatross Task Force Annual Report 2007. Sandy, UK: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. 38 pp. Information for John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 13 June 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/the-albatross-task-force-2007-annual-report-available.md) ## The IOTC adopts a new resolution on reducing seabird bycatch UPDATED   {mosimage} The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC; [www.iotc.org](http://www.iotc.org/)) meeting in Muscat, Oman from 7-11 June 2008, has adopted a new resolution on reducing incidental catch of seabirds.   The resolution, which supersedes an earlier resolution adopted in 2006, makes it a requirement for longline vessels fishing south of 30°S to adopt a minimum of two out of six mitigation measures, one of which (the obligatory measure) must be either night setting with minimum deck lighting, use of a bird-scaring (Tori) line during setting, or use of weighted branch lines.   The resolution will apply to longline vessels of IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties (CPCs).  It requires that CPCs report on seabird interactions by their flagged vessels to the Commission annually.  The IOTC’s Scientific Committee will analyse the impact of the new resolution on seabird bycatch by no later than 2011, when, if thought desirable, the resolution may be revised.   The region covered by the IOTC includes the southern Indian Ocean south to 45-55°S, where many ACAP-listed species occur, including 17 species of albatrosses, all of which are considered to be threatened or near threatened ([http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html)).  Notably the Critically Endangered Amsterdam Albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis* and the Endangered Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche carteri* are endemic to the IOTC area and both forage almost exclusively in areas fished by IOTC longline vessels.   See also [http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/06/iotc_success.html](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/06/iotc_success.html) for more news of the IOTC's resolution.   Visit [http://www.arkive.org/news/20080613-fishermen-help-protect-albatrosses.html](http://www.arkive.org/news/20080613-fishermen-help-protect-albatrosses.html) for another report on the resolution with illustrations.    *Information from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer with the help of Barry Baker and Cleo Small; posted**16 June 2008, updated 30 January 2009* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/the-iotc-adopts-a-new-resolution-on-reducing-seabird-bycatch-updated.md) ## ACAP Secretariat participates in the Tasmanian Midwinter Festival   {mosimage} ACAP’s Interim Secretariat is based in Hobart, Tasmania in Australia.  Every year Hobart celebrates the [southern midwinter](http://www.antarctic-tasmania.info/) (June 21) with two weeks of events (see [www.antarctic-tasmania.info](http://www.antarctic-tasmania.info/)).  This year ACAP  participated in one of the events on 22 June, entitled “Ice Cold Facts – Antarctic Science and Climate Change” when John Cooper, ACAP’s honorary Information Officer who is currently working at the Secretariat, delivered a public lecture entitled “Conservation of Southern Ocean Albatrosses and Petrels”.** ** In addition, ACAP’s Executive Secretary, Warren Papworth and John manned an ACAP display to increase awareness of the Agreement among visitors to the all-day event.  The event took place at the headquarters of another international organization based in Hobart: the [Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources](http://www.ccamlr.org/)([www.ccamlr.org](http://www.ccamlr.org/)).   Information from the ACAP Information Officer; posted 20 June 2008, revised 23 June 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-secretariat-participates-in-the-tasmanian-midwinter-festival.md) ## Australia formalised as home of international seabird secretariat **{mosimage}** Hobart, Australia is now officially home to the Secretariat for the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). The historic Headquarters Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels was signed today in Hobart by the Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, Dr Tony Press and the Executive Secretary of the ACAP Secretariat, Mr Warren Papworth. The Headquarters Agreement is the culmination of negotiations between the Government of Australia and other Parties to ACAP to establish the Secretariat in Hobart. The Agreement formalises the home of the Secretariat in Hobart which has been the interim host in recent years.   See also:  [http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=34830](http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=34830)     *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer; posted 23 June 2008; updated 1 July 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/australia-formalised-as-home-of-international-seabird-secretariat.md) ## Fourth International Conference on Albatrosses and Petrels: posters still being accepted {mosimage} **THE ORAL PROGRAMME FOR THE CONFERENCE IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED** ** LATE (INCLUDING IN-ABSENTIA) POSTERS WILL STILL BE ACCEPTED** **THEIR ABSTRACTS WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE ABSTRACTS BOOKLET, BUT WILL BE PROVIDED LOOSE LEAF** ** CONTACT THE ORGANIZERS FOR MORE INFORMATION** Due to late changes in the conference programme for the Fourth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 11-15 August 2008) , four previously allocated oral slots in sessions have become vacant.  Abstracts received (along with registration) by Sunday 6 July will be accepted for these slots.  First come , first served!  Any more than the four can be accepted as posters up to that date. It is intended to post the full list of accepted papers by authors and titles, showing their assigned sessions and when they will be given, to to the conference web site soon after month-end.  Go to [**http://iapc4.adu.org.za**](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/) to find full details (including registration form). Enquires should be sent to Andrea Angel, Conference Organizer at [**[andreaangel.g@gmail.com](mailto:andreaangel.g@gmail.com)**](mailto:%20%20 %20%20%20This%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spam%20bots,%20you%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it%20%20%20)  *Information from the Conference Organizers, posted 26 June 2008, updated 15 July 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-international-conference-on-albatrosses-and-petrels-posters-still-being-accepted.md) ## ACAP web site links page continues to expand with new links {mosimage}  The links page of this web site continues to expand and now includes 64 links to sites that contain information on procellariiform seabird species listed within, or of interest to, ACAP.  Links to organizations and bodies that are relevant to the conservation of marine life are also included. The links have been catalogued into the following nine groups for ease of use:      [Government Agencies ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=71&Itemid=23)  [International Government Organisations ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=69&Itemid=23)   [International Scientific Organisations ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=96&Itemid=23)  [Miscellaneous ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=100&Itemid=23)  [National Plan Of Action - Seabirds ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=82&Itemid=23)  [Natural History Organisations ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=72&Itemid=23) [Non-Government Organisations ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=70&Itemid=23)  [Regional Fisheries Management Organisations ](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=73&Itemid=23) [Seabird Groups](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=86&Itemid=23)  The list remains open for addition of new web sites.  Send details of your favourite  procellariiform and related web sites to *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer* at  [John.Cooper@acap.aq](mailto:John.Cooper@acap.aq) *Updated 02 August 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-web-site-links-page-continues-to-expand-with-new-links.md) ## Texts of ACAP negotiation meetings added to web site  {mosimage} Two negotation meetings were held to develop and adopt the text of the Agreement.  The first was held in Hobart, Australia in July 2000,  the second and final in Cape Town, South Africa in January/February 2001. Go to Meeting Documents, then [Negotiation Meetings](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=102&Itemid=33), to find the tabled documents and information papers and the final reports for each of these two meetings.  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 1 July 2008*     [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/texts-of-acap-negotiation-meetings-added-to-web-site.md) ## Fourth Albatross & Petrel Conference: final programme now available {mosimage} The final session programme  for the Fourth Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa  from 11-15 August 2008, is now available on the [conference web site](http://iapc4.adu.org.za) ( or go directly to  [http://iapc4.adu.org.za/sessions.htm](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/sessions.htm)).  All oral and poster presentions are listed by presenting author and title. Oral presentations are no longer being accepted, but late posters can still be be considered: contact the organizers through the conference web site. *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 July 2008, updated 28 July 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-albatross-petrel-conference-final-programme-now-available.md) ## Brazil completes national legislation to join ACAP  {mosimage} {mosimage} On 16 July 2008 the Brazilian National Congress promulgated a national decree ["Decreto Legislativo No. 187"](http://www.in.gov.br/imprensa/pesquisa/pesquisaresultado.jsp) that completed the process for Brazil to ratify its signature of ACAP on 19 June 2001 and become a Party to the Agreement. This action followed approval of joining ACAP  by the Chamber of Representatives on 5 June and ratification of the decision by the Senate on 10 July.  Brazil's waters are visited by 43 albatross and petrel species, including globally threatened species listed within ACAP such as the Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* and the Spectacled Petrel *Procellaria conspicillata*, both restricted as breeding species to the South Atlantic Ocean.  The Brazilian National Plan of Action for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels may be found in Portuguese at [http://www.projetoalbatroz.org.br/arquivos/planacap/planacapPortugues.pdf](http://www.projetoalbatroz.org.br/arquivos/planacap/planacapPortugues.pdf) and at  [http://www.projetoalbatroz.org.br/arquivos/planacap/planacapIngles.pdf](http://www.projetoalbatroz.org.br/arquivos/planacap/planacapIngles.pdf) in English.  Brazil will become the 12th Party to ACAP three months after it has submitted its Instrument of Ratification with the Depository Authority in Canberrra, Australia.  *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with the help of Tatiana Neves, Coordinator, [Projeto Albatroz](http://www.projetoalbatroz.org.br).  Posted 24 July 2008.* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/brazil-completes-national-legislation-to-join-acap.md) ## Latest issue of Sea Change published {mosimage}  The latest issue of [Sea Change](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/index.html) (No. 4, August 2008) , the newsletter of BirdLife International's Global Seabird Programme, has now been published electronically.  Got to [www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/index.html](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/index.html) for it and for the three  previous issues.  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 2 August 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/latest-issue-of-sea-change-published.md) ## Fourth Albatross and Petrel Conference: final programme and abstracts show ACAP involvement  {mosimage} The **Fourth Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels** will be held in Cape Town, South Africa from 11-15 August 2008. The  programme and abstracts booklet is now available as a downloadable PDF on the [conference web site](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/), or by going directly to  [http://iapc4.adu.org.za/Abstract_booklet.pdf](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/Abstract_booklet.pdf).  There will be totals of 65 oral presentations, 32 posters and two round-table discussions over the five-day period of the conference.  ACAP will be well represented at the conference and will make a number of  presentations. The opening address will be given on behalf of ACAP by Mark Tasker, Vice-Chair of the Agreement's Advisory Committee on the subject: **The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels - progress, success and the future**. In addition,  Wieslawa Misiak of ACAP's Secretariat, along with three of ACAP's  four working group convenors,  Mike Double, Rosemary Gales and Richard Phillips, will convene a round-table to demonstrate and discuss two Agreement  initiatives: the data portal, and the species assessments. A poster entitled  **Identifying candidate species for inclusion within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels** will be be displayed by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer  and Barry Baker, ACAP scientific and technical consultant. Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary, will co-author a poster with Kim Rivera and others entitled **Birds of a feather: international teamwork advancing seabird conservation on the high seas** which will address how best to interact with RFMOs (Regional Fishery Management Organizations) to reduce seabird bycatch. ACAP will also host a stand at the conference at which posters and species assessment texts will be displayed and made available to delegates. Conference enquiries to [andreaangelg@gmail.com](mailto:andreaangelg@gmail.com) *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 04 August 2008*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-albatross-and-petrel-conference-final-programme-and-abstracts-show-acap-involvement.md) ## ACAP Working Group meetings commence in Hermanus, South Africa {mosimage} Prior to the Fourth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee, to be held in Somerset West, South Africa from 22-25 August 2008, three of the AC's four working groups are meeting in the resort town of Hermanus on South Africa's south coast for three days over the period 17-19 August. With Southern Right Whales close inshore in Walker Bay, a known haven for the species, and clearly visible from the meeting venue, attendees from 10 of the 11 ACAP Parties, as well as observers from five range states and five NGOs, have started discussions in the Seabird Bycatch and Status and Trends Working Groups, with a meeting of the Breeding Sites Working Group to follow on the 19th.  Once the working group meetings are completed, the host country will take delegates on two separate at-sea outings before the Advisory Commitee meets, on 20 and 21 August. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 17 August 2008*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-working-group-meetings-commence-in-hermanus-south-africa.md) ## Uruguay completes national legislation to accede to the Agreement {mosimage} The Oriental Republic of Uruguay's Senate and Chamber of Representatives meeting in a General Assembly on 16 July 2008 adopted Law No. 18 237 which enables Uruguay to accede to the  Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. The law was included in the National Registry of Laws under the signature of the President of Uruguay, Dr Tabaré Vasquez on 30 July 2008. Uruguay will become a Party to ACAP three months after it submits its document of accession to the Depository, in Canberra, Australia.  With this, Uruguay will join Argentina, [Brazil](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=28) (whose submission of its instrument of ratication is shortly expected), Chile, Ecuador and Peru on the list of Southern American countries who have become ACAP Parties. Uruaguay's National Plan of Action - Seabirds may be found at: [ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/IPOAS/national/uruguay/PAN_AvesMarinasUruguay_final.pdf](https://www.acap.aq/ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/IPOAS/national/uruguay/PAN_AvesMarinasUruguay_final.pdf) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 17 August 2008*       [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/uruguay-completes-national-legislation-to-accede-to-the-agreement.md) ## ACAP Status and Trends Working Group meets in Hermanus, South Africa {mosimage}   The ACAP Status and Trends Working Group conducted a successful meeting in Hermanus, South Africa on 17 August, preparatory to the Fourth Meeting of the Advisory Committee.  The group’s meeting was attended by members and observers coming from eight Parties and two range states, as well as representatives of two conservation NGOs.   The current status of ACAP’s 26 listed species of albatrosses and petrels was reviewed, noting that four species are currently categorized as Critically Endangered, five as Endangered, 10 species as Vulnerable, and seven as Near Threatened, according to World Conservation Union criteria.  Species assessments prepared by Secretariat staff were presented to the group, and progress with their production reported.  The assessments will be placed on the ACAP web site when they are finalized.   Valuable discussion then followed, focusing on processes for identification of priorities for conservation action, both at regional and at international scales.   The Working Group’s report will be considered at the Fourth Advisory Committee, to be held in Somerset West, South Africa from 22-25 August 2008.   *Information from Rosemary Gales, Convenor, ACAP Status and Trends Working Group, posted 18 August 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-status-and-trends-working-group-meets-in-hermanus-south-africa.md) ## Fourth Albatross and Petrel Conference in Cape Town regarded a success {mosimage} The Fourth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels was held in Cape Town, South Africa from 11-15 August 2008.  The conference was followed by a trip to sea to view pelagic seabirds on the 16th in the Atlantic Ocean off the Cape Peninsula - when several ACAP species were identified. Totals of 64 oral and 33 poster presentations were made.  The conference was opened with an address from ACAP entitled "The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels: progress, success and the future", presented by ACAP's Advisory Commitee Vice Chair, Mark Tasker.  Abstracts of  presentations have been placed on the conference web site ([http://iapc4.adu.org.za/Abstract_booklet.pdf](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/Abstract_booklet.pdf)) of which a large number cover ACAP-listed species. Dr Ross Wanless will be editing the conference proceedings, which will be published in the  journal *[Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org/)*.  Information on the editorial process will be posted to the conference web site [(http://iapc4.adu.org.za](http://iapc4.adu.org.za/)) in due course. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 18 August 2008*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-albatross-and-petrel-conference-in-cape-town-regarded-a-success.md) ## Breeding Sites Working Group meets in South Africa {mosimage}   ACAP’s Breeding Sites Working Group met in South Africa in the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape Province on 19 August 2008, under the chair of Dr Richard Phillips from the United Kingdom.  Members and observers from nearly all the ACAP Parties, and observers from several range states and NGOs, attended the group’s meeting.   The working group meeting commenced with a discussion of rules for the access and use of status and trends and breeding sites data submitted to, and maintained by, ACAP.  Plans were then discussed to complete the register of breeding sites, notably of Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* colonies in Antarctica, and to define breeding sites at colony, island and island-group levels.   Classification of and capturing past, existing and potential threats to breeding sites were considered, with an emphasis on prioritizing existing threats.  Discussions were also held on prioritizing breeding sites for management or research, best-practice guidelines for mitigation of selected threats, project proposals received by the group and on the revised work programme.  In addition, a demonstration was given of progress with ACAP’s data base and data portal.  Documents considered at the meeting may be found at [http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=93&Itemid=33](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=93&Itemid=33).   The Working Group’s report will be considered at the Fourth Meeting of ACAP’s Advisory Group, to be held in Somerset West, South Africa from 22-25 August 2008.    *Information from Richard Phillips, Convenor, ACAP Breeding Sites Working Group and John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 20 August 2008*  [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/breeding-sites-working-group-meets-in-south-africa.md) ## ACAP working delegates go on an outing {mosimage} Southern Right Whale.  Photograph by Carlos Moreno  Following completion of the three working group meetings held in Hermanus, South Africa before the Fourth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, most of the delegates were taken to sea from Kleinbaai on 20 August 2008 by [Dyer Island Cruises](http://www.whalewatchsa.com/) to sail close to Dyer and Geyser Islands.   The two close-inshore islands are home to large numbers of [African Penguins](http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/species/sp003_00.htm) *Spheniscus demersus* and Cape Fur Seals *Arctocephalus pusillus*, respectively. Several Southern Right Whales *Eubalaena australis* were seen blowing close to the boat and a Great White Shark *Carcharodon* *carcharias*was seen in the waters surrounding the two adjacent islands.  Other seabirds seen included the endemic [Bank Cormorant](http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/species/bankcormorant.htm) *Phalacrocorax neglectus*, which breeds on Dyer Island.   The outing was sponsored by the [WWF Sanlam Living Waters Programme](http://www.panda.org.za/index.php?section=Landing_LivingWaters), to which organization ACAP offers its grateful thanks.    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 22 August 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-working-delegates-go-on-an-outing.md) ## ACAP sails into the South Atlantic {mosimage}   Very early in the morning, well before sunrise on 21 August 2008, a hardy group from among the delegates attending the Fourth Meeting of ACAP’s Advisory Committee joined South Africa’s F.R.S. *Africana* in Cape Town’s harbour in Table Bay for breakfast and to view albatrosses and petrels in the South Atlantic.   The *Africana* is a fisheries research vessel of the [South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s](http://www.environment.gov.za/) Marine and Coastal Management Branch.  The at-sea outing was sponsored by South Africa, the host nation for the Advisory Committee meeting being held in Somerset West over the period 22-25 August 2008.   After about four hours of sailing the *Africana*reached the trawling grounds in the “Cape Valley” region south-west of the Cape Peninsula and met up with the *Forest Lily*, a demersal stern trawler belonging to [Irvin & Johnson](http://www.ij.co.za/), a large South African company working in the fishing and food-supply field.  The delegates were then treated to the tremendous spectacle of thousands of seabirds, including seven ACAP-listed taxa (see list below), wheeling about and landing on the sea behind the trawler.  The most abundant ACAP species present was the Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris*, along with smaller numbers of three other albatross taxa, both species of giant petrels *Macronectes* spp. and of the White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis*.  The most abundant seabird present (perhaps as many as ten thousand individuals) was the Pintado or Cape Petrel *Daption capense*.  Two sea mammal species were seen on the voyage: Dusky Dolphin *Lagenorhynchus obscurus* and Cape Fur Seal *Arctocephalus pusillus*.   {mosimage}   A special and unexpected touch was the presence of a welcoming banner displayed on the trawler’s bridge, bearing the words “Working to Save Albatrosses and Petrels”, along with the logos of ACAP, DEAT and I&J.  Irvin & Johnson is taking the reduction of seabird mortality by its trawling vessels seriously, and it was heartening to see that the *Forest Lily* had paired streamer lines in place as it trawled, thus keeping the attendant hordes of seabirds safely away from its trawl warps.   Following an excellent lunch provided aboard, the *Africana*returned to Cape Town, punching its way through a choppy sea to arrive back in the harbour some time after dark.  All the ACAP delegates who joined the cruise wish to thank the officers and crew of the *Africana*, I&J and the host country through DEAT-MCM for providing an unforgettable excursion.    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 23 August 2008* {mosimage}  **SPECIES LIST**  *Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris* *Shy/White-capped Albatross *T. cauta/steadi* *Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *T. chlororhynchos* *Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross *T. carteri* *White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis* *Northern Giant Petrel *Macronectes halli* *Southern Giant Petrel *M. giganteus*   Pintado/Cape Petrel *Daption capense*     Prion *Pachyptila* sp.   Soft-plumaged Petrel *Pterodroma mollis*     Sooty Shearwater *Puffinus griseus*     Great Shearwater *P. gravis*     Wilson’s Storm Petrel *Oceanites oceanicus*     Cape Gannet *Morus capensis*   Kelp Gull *Larus dominicanus* Arctic Tern *Sterna paradisaea* Subantarctic Skua *Catharacta antarctica** * *ACAP-listed species [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-sails-into-the-south-atlantic.md) ## Fourth Advisory Committee meeting opens in Somerset West, South Africa   {mosimage} The Fourth Meeting of ACAP’s Advisory Committee was opened on Friday 22 August 2008 at the [Erinvale Estate Hotel and Spa](http://www.erinvale.co.za/) in Somerset West, South Africa by Dr Johann Augustyn, Chief Director: Research, Antarctica and Islands of South Africa’s [Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism](http://www.environment.gov.za/) on behalf of the Ms Nosipho Ncgaba, the department’s Director General.   {mosimage}   In his opening remarks, Dr Augustyn referred to the large and important populations of albatrosses and petrels at its sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands, which hold 44% of the world population of the Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans*, as well as to the important feeding grounds for albatrosses and petrels in South African waters.  Dr Augustyn noted that South Africa had hosted the negotiation meeting at which the text of th Agreement was finalized.   An important announcement made at the Opening Session was that South Africa had adopted its National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries.  Copies of the document were then made available to delegates.  South Africa’s NPOA-Seabirds also covers trawl fisheries.  Also launched at the Opening Session was a [report](http://www.panda.org.za/?section=News_LivingWaters&id=109)by WWF South Africa, entitled “Understanding and mitigating vulnerable bycatch in southern African trawl and longline fisheries”.   The Chair of the Advisory Committee, Dr Marco Favero of Argentina thanked Dr Augustyn for opening the Fourth Session of the ACAP Advisory Committee, and South Africa for hosting the meeting, and as a small token of appreciation, presented him with an ACAP fleece beanie to wear on his next trip to sea.   {mosimage}   During the first day, the Advisory Committee heard reports from the Interim Secretariat, and from the Convenors of its Status and Trends and Breeding Sites Working Groups, which had met in Hermanus prior to the meeting, as well as from the Convenor of the Taxonomy Working Group.  Discussion was also held on the listing of new species within the Agreement, notably the three North Pacific albatross species, for which presentations were made by the USA, attending the meeting as a range state.   Following the closure of the day’s meeting, delegates were treated to a dinner by the host country at [Moyo](http://www.spier.co.za/whattodoatspier/moyo.htm), an Africa-themed restaurant on the nearby [Spier Wine Estate](http://www.spier.co.za/whattodoatspier/), with good food and live entertainment.    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 23 August 2008, updated 24 August 2008*  [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/fourth-advisory-committee-meeting-opens-in-somerset-west-south-africa.md) ## ACAP Secretariat launches two new posters Two new wall posters were launched at the Fourth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Group in South Africa on 24 August. The posters have been produced to a high standard on glossy paper and are suitable for framing. The posters have been produced in the three official languages of the Agreement: English, French and Spanish. The A2 posters, one portrait and one landscape, are of paired Chatham Thalassarche eremita and Grey-headed T. chrysostoma Albatrosses, both photographed by Graham Robertson and designed by Vanessa Tucker. All delegates attending the meeting were given four copies of each poster in their preferred language, safely installed in a cardboard tube to enable their safe travel to homes and offices. John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 August 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-secretariat-launches-two-new-posters.md) ## Seabirds and Seabird-Fishery Interactions in Peru  {mosimage} A report has been published that reports the outcome of a workshop held in Lima, Peru in June 2007 entitled “Seabirds and Seabird-Fishery Interactions”.   The [report](http://www.birdlife.org/downloads/news/Peru%20seabird%20English.pdf) has been published by [BirdLife International](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/08/peruvian_seabirds.html) along with the  [American Bird Conservancy](http://www.abcbirds.org/).  As well as covering the breeding seabirds of Peruvian islands it also considers the ACAP-listed Waved Albatross *Phoebastria irrorata* that visits Peruvian waters from its breeding grounds in the Ecuadorian Galapagos Islands. * John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 23 August 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/seabirds-and-seabird-fishery-interactions-in-peru.md) ## ACAP’s AC4 closes after a successful four-day meeting After four days of discussions, the Fourth Meeting of the Agreement's Advisory Committee was closed in Somerset West, South Africa on the afternoon of 25 August by the committee's Chair, Marco Favero, following the adoption of the meeting's report. Delegates from 10 of the 11 Parties to the Agreement, one signatory state, four range states and five NGOs all agreed the meeting had been most fruitful, with many matters discussed and resolved. It is expected that the final report of the meeting will be available on the Agreement's web site within a short time period in all three official languages. Grateful thanks were offered to the host country from the delegates and the secretariat for its excellent arrangements made for the meeting. John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 25 August 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acaps-ac4-closes-after-a-successful-four-day-meeting.md) ## Argentinean Federal Fisheries Council adopts seabird mitigation measures  {mosimage} The Argentinean Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has passed a resolution adopting the use of mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch in vessels operating longlines in Argentinean waters.   In addition a  technical document has been presented to Argentinian government agencies with the aim of bringing about the preparation of a National Plan of Action -Seabirds to reduce bycatch of albatrosses and petrels. For more information go to: [http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/08/argentinean_resolution.html](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/08/argentinean_resolution.html) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted  1 September 2008*     [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/argentinean-federal-fisheries-council-adopts-seabird-mitigation-measures.md) ## Expedition sails to study Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross {mosimage}  On Thursday 4 September 2008, an expedition will sail from Cape Town, South Africa for Gough Island in the South Atlantic to continue a demographic study of the Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*.  The Tristan Albatross, an ACAP-listed species, is endemic to the United Kingdom's Tristan da Cunha Group, of which [Gough](http://home.intekom.com/gough/)(see also [http://www.btinternet.com/~sa_sa/gough_island/gough_island.html](http://www.btinternet.com/~sa_sa/gough_island/gough_island.html)) is a part.  The albatross has been recently recategorized as [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=30013&m=0) due to fatal attacks of chicks by "killer" House Mice *Mus musculus* - which result in very low breeding success that is insufficient to sustain the population.  Gough Island is a nature reserve, and with Inaccessible Island in the Tristan Group is also a [World Heritage Site](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740). The expedition is a joint one, managed on behalf of the Tristan Agriculture and Natural Resources Department by the [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/index.asp) (the UK Partner of BirdLife International) and South Africa's [University of Cape Town](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/seabird.html).  Funding for the island work has been received from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme ([OTEP](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/index.htm)).  The team will be led by Dr Richard Cuthbert (RSPB), with support from John Cooper (UCT) and Trevor Glass (Tristan Conservation Officer) and will place two South African field workers, Henk  Louw and Paul Visser, on the island for a full year to study aspects of the bird's biology, as well as to conduct needed research on the susceptibility of mice to an eradication exercise by dropping poison bait from helicopters (see [http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/publications.asp](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/tristandacunha/publications.asp)). The expedition will be travelling on South Africa's Antarctic research/supply vessel, the *[S.A. Agulhas](http://www.sanap.org.za/transport.html)*, which visits the island every year to relieve the six-person team that runs South Africa's weather station on Gough. *Information from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 3 September 2008 *      [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/expedition-sails-to-study-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross.md) ## South African research on ACAP species wins UNEP/CMS Thesis Awards  {mosimage}  National Geographic Deutschland, Deutsche Lufthansa, the Zoological Research Museum Koenig and the Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) have announced the 2008 winner of the [UNEP/CMS Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation](http://www.cms.int/news/PRESS/nwPR2008/09_Sep/aw_thesis_award_090908.pdf).   The winner of the 10 000 Euro-award is Dr Samantha Petersen, whose thesis “Understanding and mitigating vulnerable bycatch in southern African trawl and longline fisheries” dealt, *inter alia*, with such ACAP-listed species as the Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris* and the White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis*.   Out of the 32 submitted theses from 18 countries, the third-chosen laureate was Dr Ross Wanless, whose thesis “Impacts of the introduced House Mouse on the seabirds of Gough Island” concentrated on the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*, an ACAP-listed species whose chicks are killed in great numbers every year by mice.   Both Samantha Petersen and Ross Wanless conducted their PhD research at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where their research was supervised by Associate Professor Peter Ryan of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology.  Professor Les Underhill of the Department of Zoology’s Animal Demography Unit co-supervised Dr Petersen’s thesis, and Dr Geoff Hilton of the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds co-supervised Dr Wanless’ thesis.   The Winner of the award will be introduced during the Ninth Meeting of the CMS Conference of Parties in Rome Italy, over 1-5 December 2008.   Online application for CoP10 Awards is now open until 28 February 2011.  PhD theses awarded by a licensed educational institution should provide new data and insights into the biology of migratory species or external factors disrupting their migration patterns.  Research results must be applicable to conservation measures.    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 24 September 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-african-research-on-acap-species-wins-unep-cms-thesis-awards.md) ## Yellow A43: an albatross life cut short   {mosimage} Gonydale on Gough Island in the South Atlantic is the site of a long-term demographic study being conducted on the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* by the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK).  One of the chicks in this colony in 1999 was banded as J-14019.  In April 2004 the bird was recorded back in Gonydale as a “loafer”, meaning it was not then attending a nest with an egg or chick, and was most likely not then sexually mature.  In February 2007 it was recorded incubating in Gonydale (quite possibly as a first-time breeder), when colour band Yellow A43 was added and it was photographed and identified by measurements and plumage as a male.  In September of that year its chick was still present at the marked nest (when the chick was banded), showing it had bred successfully up to then.   However, a report lately to hand shows that the bird was killed by the *Pescalamar*, a Namibian-registered longliner fishing for swordfish and shark some 1400 km north-west of Gough Island in the south-west Atlantic at 32º 45’S, 21º 31’W on 20 November 2007.   With Tristan Albatross chicks fledging mainly in the month of December there is a good chance its chick managed to survive, being fed by the female parent until it departed to sea.  At least no banded corpse was present at the nest site it was when visited the next breeding season in January 2008.   Great albatrosses of the genus *Diomedea* can live for half a century or more, so Yellow A43 died young at less than 10 years of age, emphasizing the parlous conservation state of the Tristan Albatross, with its chicks being killed by mice, and its juveniles and adults continuing to be caught on longlines.   *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with information from John Patterson, Birdlife International Albatross Task Force Namibia, 24 September 2008, updated 17 October 2008*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/yellow-a43-an-albatross-life-cut-short.md) ## Brazil deposits ratification of ACAP {mosimage}  The Federal Republic of Brazil deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels with the Government of Australia in Canberra on 3 September 2008.  This action follows the adoption of the text of the Agreement by the Brazilian National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 187 of 15 July 2008, and the subsequent signature of the Instrument of Ratification by the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as witnessed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 31 July 2008.  Go to [http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=28](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=28) for earlier news of Brazil joining ACAP. In accordance with Article XVI (2), the Agreement will enter into force for Brazil on 1 December 2008, when it will become the 12th Party to ACAP.  *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 25 September 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/brazil-deposits-ratification-of-acap.md) ## President Bush Asks the United States Congress to accede to ACAP {mosimage}  President George Bush transmitted the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) to the United States Senate on 26 September 2008 for approval.  The Senate Foreign Relations Committee must now approve the Agreement before it goes to the full Senate for ratification, which requires a two-thirds majority.  An accompanying legislative package to implement the Agreement will also need to be approved by both the House and Senate.  Votes on the Agreement  and implementing legislation are not expected until 2009. The United States has been an active participant in the work of the Agreement, attending both preparatory meetings and subsequent meetings of ACAP's Advisory Committee and Sessions of the Meeting of  Parties. For the Whitehouse press release  go to:    [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080926-23.html](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080926-23.html) For NGO comments on the US initiative to join ACAP go to:  [http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/USA_acap.html](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/USA_acap.html)  and [http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/080929.html](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/080929.html)  More information on the USA and ACAP is at: [http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/seabirds/acap.html](http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/seabirds/acap.html). Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 October 2008, with help from Jessica Hardesty, American Bird Conservancy.  Updated 18 October 2008 and 29 March 2009 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/president-bush-asks-the-united-states-congress-to-accede-to-acap.md) ## Charting the Course: Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust Workshop to be held in November 2008  {mosimage} Since 2002 the Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust has been working with fishers, the fishing industry, governments and NGOs to reduce seabird bycatch in southern hemisphere fisheries. The Trust will hold a workshop over 10 and 11 November 2008 in Nelson, New Zealand to share thoughts on where and how the Trust can make the biggest contribution to solving seabird bycatch over the next five years both domestically and internationally.  Guest speakers at the event will include John Croxall, Chair of BirdLife International’s Global Seabird Programme and Carlos Moreno, Universidad Austral de Chile, who is a leader in Chile’s efforts to reduce seabird bycatch. For further information contact Shelly Biswell, SSST Manager, at [shelly@biswell.net](mailto:shelly@biswell.net) or go to [www.southernseabirds.org](http://www.southernseabirds.org/). Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 October 2008     [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/charting-the-course-southern-seabirds-solutions-trust-workshop-to-be-held-in-november-2008.md) ## South Africa adopts its NPOA-Seabirds for longline and trawl fisheries {mosimage}  South Africa adopted the final version of  its National Plan of Action for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries in August 2008, during the Fourth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee, held in South Africa.  Copies were made available to all the attendees.  See a South African press release at:  [http://www.deat.gov.za//NewsMedia/MedStat/2008Aug23/22082008.doc](http://www.deat.gov.za//NewsMedia/MedStat/2008Aug23/22082008.doc) Production of South Africa's  NPOA-Seabirds was originally funded by a grant from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  The first draft, submitted to the South African Government  in November  2002, and then updated in December 2003 as a 103-page document following a stakeholder workshop and opportunity for comment was researched and written under contract by John Cooper and Peter Ryan of the University of Cape Town. The 2002 and 2003 versions included a detailed assessment of South African longline fisheries, in line with the FAO's IPOA-Seabirds.  See:  [ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/IPOAS/national/southafrica/SA-NPOA.pdf](https://www.acap.aq/ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/IPOAS/national/southafrica/SA-NPOA.pdf). For an abstract of the 2003 text, posted to the FAO web site in 2004 go to:  [http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/eims_search/1_dett.asp?calling=simple_s_result&lang=en&pub_id=170042](http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/eims_search/1_dett.asp?calling=simple_s_result&lang=en&pub_id=170042).  The 2003 version has now been further updated, but has also been much summarized into a 32-page document with the input of Samantha Petersen of WWF-South Africa.   Although its title does not suggest it, the adopted NPOA -Seabirds also considers trawl fisheries.  For details of the FAO's IPOA-Seabirds and the various national plans adopted so far go to:  [http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa/en](http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/seabirds/npoa/en) Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 October 2008    [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-africa-adopts-its-npoa-seabirds-for-longline-and-trawl-fisheries.md) ## Conference on Island Invasives planned for New Zealand  {mosimage} An international conference with the title "[Island Invasives: Eradication and Management](http://www.cbb.org.nz/seminars.asp)" is planned to be held on the Tamaki Conference, University of Auckland, New Zealand from 8-12 February 2010.  The conference will follow on from two previous conferences held in New Zealand on this broad theme: "Ecological Restoration of New Zealand Islands" in 1989 and "Eradication of Island Invasives and Ecology of Insular Biotas" in 2001. The conference is an initiative of the [Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity](http://www.cbb.org.nz/), run jointly by [Landcare Research](http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/) and the [University of Auckland](http://www.auckland.ac.nz). ACAP has the control and eradication of invasive species on islands that support breeding populations of listed species as an aim of its Action Plan. For further information on the conference and to be placed on a mailing list contact Dick Veitch  at [dveitch@kiwilink.co.nz](mailto:dveitch@kiwilink.co.nz).  See also [http://www.issg.org/events.html](http://www.issg.org/events.html) Click on [Proceedings](http://books.google.co.za/books?hl=en&id=CI8531CO-dsC&dq=Turning+the+Tide&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=B6yqAdCbvg&sig=_00RKfoUq9-LS1siCHvn5-Kvwzg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result) for details of the publication "Turning the Tide: The Eradication of Invasive Species" emanating from the 2001 Conference.  For details of the 1989 conference proceedings contact the Science & Research Division, Department of Conservation, New Zealand at  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/).  John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 23 October 2008       [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/conference-on-island-invasives-planned-for-new-zealand.md) ## Second International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic to be held in Tasmania in April 2009  {mosimage} The **[2nd International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic](http://www.sub-antarctic.org/index.html)** will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia over 26-27 April 2009 under the auspices of [Antarctic Tasmania](http://www.development.tas.gov.au/antarctic/index.html) (a business unit within the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development and Tourism, housed in the same suite of offices as ACAP).  The Forum will have the overall theme of "Environmental Change in the Sub-Antarctic". Invited speakers and delegates will discuss two broad subjects: Overview of the Sub-Antarctic System (Biota and Physical World)  and  Dynamic Interactions in the Sub-Antarctic System  The meeting will follow on from the first Forum, held in July 2006, which resulted in a [Proceedings](http://www.sub-antarctic.org/docs/subantproceedings.pdf) published by the Royal Society  of Tasmania. The Sub-antarctic and southern cool-temperate islands of the Sourthern Ocean are the core breeding sites for nearly all the currently  ACAP-listed species.  Further information on the Forum can be obtained from [antarctic@development.tas.gov.au](mailto:antarctic@development.tas.gov.au).  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 25 October 2009* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/second-international-forum-on-the-sub-antarctic-to-be-held-in-tasmania-in-april-2009.md) ## Two books on albatrosses published in 2008  {mosimage} Two books have recently been published on albatrosses.  Details follow:  De Roy, Tui, Jones, Mark & Fitter, Julian 2008. *Albatross. Their world, their ways*. London: [Christopher Helm](http://www.acblack.com/Department/default.asp?dept_id=2).  240 pp.  ISBN 978-0-7136-8812-2. Hard cover. [[CLICK HERE]](http://www.acblack.com/Catalogue/details.asp?sku=1424983&dept%5Fid=2&mscssid=AGSTX93WR1CV9L5CUWVCCJKN0LR88EP4)  Lindsey, Terence 2008.  *Albatrosses*.  (Australian Natural History Series). Collingword: [CSIRO Publishing](http://www.publish.csiro.au/home.htm). 139 pp.  ISBN 9780643094215.  Paperback.   [[CLICK HERE]](http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/18/pid/5831.htm) *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 October 2008*        [http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/18/pid/5831.htm](http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/18/pid/5831.htm)   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/two-books-on-albatrosses-published-in-2008.md) ## United Kingdom designates Gough and Inaccessible Island Nature Reserves as Ramsar Wetlands **{mosimage}**  The United Kingdom's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ([defra](http://www.defra.gov.uk/)) has today announced that the Gough and Inaccessible Island Nature Reserves in the UK's Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha will be added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.  [Click here](http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2008/biodiversity-1029.htm) for the defra news story.  The [Convention on Wetlands](http://www.ramsar.org/) was signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.  It aims to achieve sustainable development through the conservation and wise use of listed wetlands.  The UK announcement comes at the same time the Convention is holding the 10th Session of its Conference of Parties in Changwon, Republic of Korea.  Gough and Inaccessible Islands are two of the least modified cool temperate island ecosystems in the southern hemisphere.  Gough has been described as “a strong contender for the title of the most important seabird colony in the world”.  * * Important Ramsar wetland types on the two islands include non-forested peatlands (home to the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*).  Between them, the two islands support six breeding ACAP-listed species, three of which are endemic to the Tristan Group.   The two islands have already been internationally recognized as a combined [Natural Site](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740) by the [World Heritage Convention](http://whc.unesco.org/), extending out to 12 nautical miles (limit of territorial waters). The Ramsar designations include all the terrestrial parts of the two islands as well as their territorial waters - to match the World Heritage Site.     With funding received from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme ([OTEP](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/index.htm)) in 2007, the Tristan Agriculture and Natural Resources Department ([TANRD](http://www.tristandc.com/)) contracted   John Cooper, Honorary Tristan da Cunha Conservation Officer, to prepare the information sheets and maps  required to support the designations.  The original intitiative for the designation came from the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum ([UKOTCF](http://www.ukotcf.org/)).       *Poted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 October 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/united-kingdom-designates-gough-and-inaccessible-island-nature-reserves-as-ramsar-wetlands.md) ## Recent books on Southern Ocean islands: updated list {mosimage}  The sub-Antarctic and cool temperate islands of the Southern Ocean all support populations of ACAP-listed species of albatrosses and petrels.   A large number of books and booklets has been published since the year 2000 dealing with various aspects of these southern islands, including historical and personal accounts, scholarly reviews of scientific research, bird and field guides, specialist studies and popular illustrated treatments.   A selective bibliographic list follows, arranged alphabetically by island groups.  Books that cover more than one group of islands are listed separately,  Only the most recent editions are listed.   Please e-mail details of similar books not listed and published since 2000 to [John.Cooper@acap.aq](mailto:John.Cooper@acap.aq).  Information on books published in languages other than English will be particularly welcomed.   See other news items on this web site for lists of island management and species conservation plans. **Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell and Snares Islands**  Atkinson, Tudor 2001.  *‘St Michael’ Goes South: a 31 Foot Motor-sailer in Support of the 1972/73 Auckland Islands Scientific Expedition*.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  136 pp.  ISBN 0-478-22102-9.  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) [Austin, Alfred] 2004.  *A Musterer’s Sojourn on Campbell Island; the Diary of Alfred Austin, 1919-1921. *Edited by Paul Dingwall and Geoff Gregory.  With commentaries by Conon Fraser, Erick Brenstrum, and Peter Moore.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  135 pp.  ISBN 0-478-22094-4.  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/). Fell, Derek 2002. *Campbell**Island**.  Land of the Blue Flower*.  Auckland: David Bateman. 143 pp.  ISBN 1-86953-501-4. Peat, Neville 2006.  *Subantarctic New Zealand.  A Rare Heritage*.  Revised Edition. Invercargill: Department of Conservation.  96 pp.  ISBN 0-478-14088-6.  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/). Raynal, François 1880.  *Wrecked on a reef; or, twenty months in the Auckland Islands.  A true story of shipwreck, adventure and suffering*.  Edinburgh: T. Nelson & Sons.  (facsimile edited by Mortelier, Christiane 2003.  Wellington: Steele Roberts.  260 pp.  ISBN 1-877228-88-5). Taylor, Rowley 2006.  *Straight Through from London.  The Antipodes and Bounty Islands*.  Christchurch: Heritage Expeditions New Zealand.  415 pp.  ISBN 0-473-10650-7.  [www.heritage-expeditions.com](http://www.heritage-expeditions.com/).   Turbott, Graham 2002.  *Year Away.  Wartime Coastwatching on the Auckland Islands, 1944*.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  153 pp.  ISBN 0-478-22268-8.  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/). **Falkland Islands****(Islas Malvinas)***    Falklands Conservation 2006.  *Important Bird Areas of the Falkland Islands*.  London: Falklands Conservation.  160 pp.  ISBN 0-953837106-5.  [www.falklandsconservation.com](http://www.falklandsconservation.com/). Jones, Alexander G. 2004.  *Insects of the Falkland Islands*.  London: Falklands Conservation.  33 pp.  ISBN 0-9538371-3-0.  [www.falklandsconservation.com](http://www.falklandsconservation.com/). Liddle, Ali 2007.  *Plants of the Falkland Islands*.  London: Falklands Conservation.  5 pp.  ISBN 978-0-953871-9-9.  [www.falklandsconservation.com](http://www.falklandsconservation.com/). Schafer, Kevin 2003.  *The Falkland Islands Between the Wind & Sea*.  Freshwater, Isle of Wight, UK: Coach House Publications.  ISBN 1-899-392-262.  [www.coachouseonline.co.uk](http://www.coachouseonline.co.uk/). Summers, Debbie 2005.  *A Visitor's Guide to the Falkland Islands*.  Second Edition.  London: Falklands Conservation.  132 pp.  ISBN 0-9538-3715-7.  [www.falklandsconservation.com](http://www.falklandsconservation.com/). Wagstaff, William 2001.  *Falkland**Islands The Bradt Travel Guide*.  Chalton St Peter, UK: Bradt Travel Guides Ltd.  182 pp.  ISBN 1 884162 037 8.  [www.bradt-travelguides.com](http://www.bradt-travelguides.com/). **Heard & McDonald Islands**** ** Green, Ken & Woehler, Eric (Eds) 2006.  *Heard Island**: Southern Ocean Sentinel*.  Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty & Sons.  270 pp.  ISBN 949324 98 1. **Macquarie Island**       Greenslade, Penelope 2006.  *Invertebrates of Macquarie Island*.  Kingston: Australian Antarctic Division.  344 pp.  ISBN 1 876934 107.  [www.aad.gov.au](http://www.aad.gov.au/).   Seppelt, Rod D. 2004.  *The Moss Flora of Macquarie Island*.  Kingston: Australian Antarctic Division.  342 pp.  ISBN 1 876934 077.  [www.aad.gov.au](http://www.aad.gov.au/).   Terauds, Aleks & Stewart, Fiona 2005.  *Albatross Elusive Mariners of the Southern Ocean*.  Sydney: Reed New Holland. 175 pp.  ISBN 1 877069 26 4.  [www.newholland.com.au](http://www.newholland.com.au/). [Macquarie Island].   Terauds, Aleks & Stewart, Fiona 2008.  *Subantarctic Wilderness.  Macquarie Island*.  Crows Nest: Jacana Books.  176 pp.  ISBN 9781741753028.  [www.allenandunwin.com](http://www.allenandunwin.com/).   **Prince****Edward Islands**    Chown, Steven L. & Froneman, Pierre William (Eds) 2008.  *The Prince Edward Islands.  Land-sea Interactions in a Changing Ecosystem*.  Stellenbosch: SUN Press.  450 pp.  ISBN 978-1-920109-85-1.  [www.africansunmedia.co.za](http://www.africansunmedia.co.za/).   **South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur e Islas Sandwich del Sur)***  Agnew, David J. 2004.  *Fishing South.  The History and Management of South Georgia Fisheries*.  St Albans: Penna Press.  123 pp.  ISBN 0-9547948-0-X. Poncet, Sally & Crosbie, Kim 2005.  *A Visitor’s Guide to South Georgia*.  [Maidenhead, UK]: Wildguides Ltd.  179 pp.  ISBN 1-903657-08-3.  [www.wildguides.co.uk](http://www.wildguides.co.uk/). **Tristan da Cunha**  Buxton, Edmund D. 2001.  *Island Chaplain Tristan da Cunha 1975-1978*.  Winchester: George Mann Publications.  96 pp.  ISBN 0-95-244247-7.   Crawford, Allan B. 2004.  *Tristan da Cunha**.  Wartime Invasion*.  Easton: George Mann Publishers.  ISBN 0954629914.160 pp.   Crawford, Allan B. 2006.  *Memoirs: North, South, East & West. *Winchester: George Mann Publications.  96 pp.  ISBN 01962779944.    Glass, Conrad 2005. Rockhopper Copper.  *Life and Police Work on the World’s Most Remote Inhabited Island, Tristan da Cunha*.  Leominster: Orphans Press.  170 pp.  ISBN 1 903360 10 2. Grundy, Richard 2006.  *Commemorative Publication to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of Tristan da Cunha.*  Tristan da Cunha Association.  31 pp.  ISSN 0953-0827.  [www.tristandc.com](http://www.tristandc.com/).  Hänel, Christine, Chown, Steven L. & Gaston, Kevin J. 2005.  *Gough**Island**- a Natural History*.  Stellenbosch:  SUN Press.  169 pp.  ISBN 1-920109-03-X.  [www.africansunmedia.co.za](http://www.africansunmedia.co.za/).   Kornet-van Duyvenboden, Sandra 2007.  *A Dutchman on Tristan da Cunha.  The Quest for Peter Green*.  Winchester: George Mann Publications.  235.  ISBN 9780955241512.   [Munch, Peter A.] 2008.  *Glimpsing Utopia: Tristan da Cunha 1937-38.  A Norwegian’s Diary*.  Translated and edited by Catherine Munich Snyder.  Winchester: George Mann Publications.  210 pp.  ISBN 9780955241581.    Ryan, Peter G. (Ed).  2007.  *Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island*.  Newbury: Pisces Publications.  162 pp.  ISBN 1 874357 33 1.  [www.naturebureau.co.uk](http://www.naturebureau.co.uk/).   Schreier, Daniel & Lavarello-Schreier, Karen 2003.  *Tristan da Cunha**.  History People Language*.  London: Battlebridge Publications.  88 pp.  ISBN 1-903292-03-4.  [www.battlebridge.com](http://www.battlebridge.com/). Tyler, Paul & Rothwell, Alison [2006].  *The Natural History of Tristan da Cunha*.  UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum.  41 pp.  [http://www.ukotcf.org/pubs/index.htm](http://www.ukotcf.org/pubs/index.htm). **REGION-WIDE**  Couve, Enrique & Vidal, Claudio 2003.  *Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & Antarctic Peninsula, The Falkland Islands & South Georgia / Aves de Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego y Península Antártica.  Islas Malvinas y Georgia del Sur.*  Punta Arenas: Editorial Fantástico Sur Birding Ltda.. 656 pp. ISBN 956-8007-04-0.  [www.fantasticosur.com](http://www.fantasticosur.com/).   Poncet, Sally & Poncet, Jérôme 2007.  *Southern Ocean Cruising*.  Second edition revised and updated by Sally Poncet, Colin Harris & Susie Grant.  Cambridge: Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd. 160 pp. ISBN 97800-9552205-1-7.  [www.era.gs](http://www.era.gs/).   Riffenburgh, Beau (Ed.). 2007.  *Encyclopaedia of the Antarctic*, Vols 1 & 2.  New York: Routledge.  1146 + 86 pp.  ISBN 0-415-97024-5.  [www.routledge-ny.com](http://www.routledge-ny.com/).   Rubin. Jeff. 2008.  *Antarctica*.  Fourth Edition.  Footscray, Australia: Lonely Planet Publications.  380 pp.  ISBN 978-1-74104-549-9  [www.lonelyplanet.com](http://www.lonelyplanet.com/). Shirihai, Hadoram 2007.  *A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife.  The Birds and Marine Mammals of the Antarctic Continent and Southern Ocean*.  Second Edition.  London: A&C Black.  544 pp.  ISBN 978071366406.  [www.acblack.com](http://www.acblack.com/).  Stonehouse, Bernard 2000.  *The Last Continent Discovering Antarctica*.  Burgh Castle, UK: SCP Books.  278 pp.  ISBN 0 9537907 0 3.  [www.paston.co.uk/scp](http://www.paston.co.uk/scp). Todd, Frank. S. 2004.  *Birds & Mammals of the Antarctic, Subantarctic & Falkland Islands*.  Temecula, USA: Ibis Publishing Company.  138 pp.  ISBN 0-934797-22-6.  [ibispub@msn.com](mailto:ibispub@msn.com). Wheeler, Tony 2004.  *The Falklands & South Georgia Island*.  Footscray, Australia: Lonely Plant Publications.  ISBN 1-74059-643-9.  [www.lonelyplanet.com](http://www.lonelyplanet.com/). *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.   [http://www.doc.govt.nz/](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 October 2008, last updated 25 November 2008*       [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/recent-books-on-southern-ocean-islands-updated-list.md) ## Management Plans for Southern Ocean islands: updated list {mosimage}   Many of the islands of the Southern Ocean support populations of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels.  Here follows a listing of current, formally adopted management plans for various sub-Antarctic and cool-temperate islands and island groups, arranged alphabetically by island name.  For several of the islands and island groups earlier management plans have been published, which are now superseded and so are not listed below.  Existing plans (in draft or final form) but not yet formally adopted by their respective authorities are also not listed.   Please send details of further management plans covering breeding localities of ACAP species to [John.Cooper@acap.aq](mailto:John.Cooper@acap.aq)  for listing.   **Amsterdam Island**   Decante, F., Jouventin, P., Roux, J.-P. & Weimerskirch, H. 1987*.  Projet d’Amenagement de l’Ile Amsterdam*.  Beauvoir sur Niort: Centre d’Etudes Biologique des Animaux Sauvages, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. 91 pp.** **   **Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell and Snares Islands** Department of Conservation 1998.  *Conservation Management Strategy Subantarctic Islands 1998-2008*.  Southland Conservancy Conservation Management Planning Series No. 10.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  113 pp.  ISBN 0-478-21879-6.   **Chatham Islands**   Department of Conservation. 1999.  *Chatham**Island Conservation Management Strategy*, Wellington: Department of Conservation.     **Heard and McDonald Islands** Australian Antarctic Division 2005.  *Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan*.  Kingston: Australian Antarctic Division.  198 pp.  ISBN 1 876 93408 5.  [http://www.heardisland.aq/protection/management_plan/index.html](http://www.heardisland.aq/protection/management_plan/index.html)     **Maquarie Island** Frost, Leslie 2006.  *Macquarie**Island**Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area Management Plan 2006*.  Hobart: Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment.  176 pp. + 15 maps.  ISBN 0 72 4660405 X. [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6182](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6182) and [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=6609](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=6609) [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/publiations/techrep.html#1b](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/publiations/techrep.html#1b)   **Prince Edward Islands**   Prince Edward Islands Management Plan Working Group 1996*.  Prince Edward Islands Management Plan*.  Pretoria: Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism.  64 pp. ISBN 0-621-017584-6.   **South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur e Islas Sandwich del Sur)***  McIntosh, Elizabeth & Walton, David W.H. 2000.  *Environmental Management Plan for South Georgia*.  [Cambridge]: British Antarctic Survey.  105 pp.  Pasteur, Liz and Walton, David D.W. 2006.  *South Georgia**: Plan for Progress.  Managing the Environment 2006-2010*.  [Cambridge]: British Antarctic Survey.  74 pp.  ISBN 1 85531 306 5.  [http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(g)Plan_for_Progress?useskin=gov](http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(g)Plan_for_Progress?useskin=gov).   **Tristan da Cunha**    Cooper, John & Ryan, Peter G. 1994.  *Management Plan for the Gough Island Wildlife Reserve*.  Edinburgh, Tristan da Cunha: Government of Tristan da Cunha.  96 pp.  ISBN 0 9 03359 38 3.   Ryan, Peter G. & Glass, James P. 2001*.  Inaccessible Island Nature Reserve Management Plan*.  Edinburgh, Tristan da Cunha: Government of Tristan da Cunha.  65 pp.  [http://www.ukotcf.org/pdf/InaccMP02.pdf](http://www.ukotcf.org/pdf/InaccMP02.pdf).   *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.    *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 November 2008, updated 25 November 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/management-plans-for-southern-ocean-islands-updated-list.md) ## Uruguay deposits its Instrument of Accession to ACAP  {mosimage}  The Oriental Republic of Uruguay deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra on 9 October 2008.  This action follows the adoption of Law No. 18 237 by Uruguay's Senate and Chamber of Representatives meeting in a General Assembly on 16 July 2008.  See: .[**http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=28**](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=28).  In accordance with Article XVI, the Agreement will enter into force for Uruguay on 1 January 2009, when it will become the 13th Party to ACAP, following Brazil which becomes the 12th Party on 1 December 2008.  See: [**http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=28**](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=28).  From the beginning of next year there will be six South American Parties to the Agreement:  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay.  *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 13 November 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/uruguay-deposits-its-instrument-of-accession-to-acap.md) ## Conservation plans and red data books dealing with ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels {mosimage}   Attaining an improved conservation status for those species of albatrosses and petrels listed within the Agreement is its main aim and its reason for existence.  A common way that such efforts are directed is by way of the production of a species (or species group) document, often called an action plan, but also referred to variously as a conservation, management or recovery plan.   Allied to such plans are those designed to aid in habitat recovery and in eradication or control of invasive biota (feasibility studies, operational plans, etc.) at breeding sites of threatened species, as well as threat-abatement plans and national (and regional) Red Data Books and their equivalents.  For international Red Data listings [click here](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html).   A list of relevant conservation plans known to have been produced by or for ACAP Parties follows.  Please inform the ACAP Information Officer ([John.Cooper@acap.aq](mailto:John.Cooper@acap.aq)) of any new plans, or existing ones missing from those below, for future listing on the web site.   For National Plans of Action – Seabirds produced following FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) guidelines and aimed at reducing at-sea mortality from fisheries [click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=82&Itemid=23).  For management plans for breeding localities (usually for islands or island groups) [click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&Itemid=28) and for surrounding Marine Protected Areas [click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=129&Itemid=28).   Note only the most recent versions of plans are listed - earlier versions that have been superseded exist in some cases.  Where draft plans are publicly available on web sites they are also listed, but readers should always consult and refer to the final versions once they become available.   **ARGENTINA**  Rabuffetti, Fabian, Hollweck, Dieter, Di Giacomo, Adrian, Cocionier, Eugenio, & De Francesco, Virginia 2006.  *Aves Marinas Globalmente Amenezades de la Argentina*.  Buenos Aires: Aves Argentina/BirdLife International.  58 pp.  [http://www.avesargentinas.org.ar](http://www.avesargentinas.org.ar/). **AUSTRALIA**  [Australian Antarctic Division] 2006.  *Threat Abatement Plan for the Incidental Catch (or Bycatch) of Seabirds during Oceanic Longline Fishing Operations*.  Kingston: Australian Antarctic Division. 30 pp.  [http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=35316](http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=35316).  Environment Australia 2001.  *Recovery Plan for Albatrosses and Giant-petrels*.  [Canberra]: Environment Australia.  154 pp.  [http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/albatross/index.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/albatross/index.html).   Garnett, Stephen T. & Crowley, Gabriel M. 2000.  *The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000*.  Canberra: Environment Australia.  673 pp.  ISBN  0 642 54683 5.  [http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html).   [Parks and Wildlife Service & Biodiversity Conservation Branch] 2007.  *Plan for the Eradication of Rabbits and Rodents on Subantarctic Macquarie Island*.  [Hobart]: Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment & Biodiversity Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industries and Water.  30 pp.  [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6186](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6186). *[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]* 2008.  *Draft threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts of exotic rodents on biodiversity on Australian offshore islands of less than 100 000 hectares**.*  20 pp. & *Background document for the draft threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts of exotic rodents on biodiversity on Australian offshore islands of less than 100 000 hectares*.  32 pp. [Canberra]: *Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.*[ttp://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/draft-tap-exotic-rodents.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/draft-tap-exotic-rodents.html) *[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]* 2008.  *Draft threat abatement plan for the impacts of marine debris on vertebrate marine life*. 12 pp. &  *Background paper for the Draft threat abatement plan for the impacts of marine debris on vertebrate marine life*  44 pp. [Canberra]: *Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.**[http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/draft-tap-marinedebris.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/draft-tap-marinedebris.html)** * *[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]* 2008*.  Draft threat abatement plan for Competition and land degradation by feral rabbits.* 25 pp. & *Background document for the draft threat abatement plan for Competition and land degradation by feral rabbits*. 43 pp. [Canberra]: *Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.**[http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/draft-tap-rabbits.html](http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/draft-tap-rabbits.html).* * ****ECUADOR******& PERU*** *Ecuador**– Peru – ACAP Advisory Committee 2008.  **Plan of Action for the Waved Albatross (**Phoebastria irrorata**). **ACAP AC4 Doc. 59 rev. 4.  30 pp.  [http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=84&Itemid=33](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=84&Itemid=33).* ***NEW ZEALAND*** *[Department of Conservation] 2001.**Recovery Plan for Albatrosses in the Chatham Islands.  Chatham Island Mollymawk, Northern Royal Albatross, Pacific Mollymawk 2001-2011**. Threatened Species Recovery Plan No. 42. 23 pp.  In: Aikman, Hilary, Davis, Alison, Miskelly, Colin, O’Connor, Shaun & Taylor, Graeme 2001.  Chatham Islands Threatened Birds Recovery and Management Plans.  Wellington: Department of Conservation. **ISBN 0-478-22064-2.  [http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSRPci.pdf](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSRPci.pdf).* *Taylor, Graeme A. 2000**. Action Plan for Seabird Conservation in New Zealand. Part A: Threatened Seabirds**.  Threatened Species Occasional Publication No. 16.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  233 pp. **ISBN 0-478-21921-5.  [http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSOP16.pdf](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSOP16.pdf).* **SOUTH AFRICA**  Barnes, Keith N. (Ed.). 2000.  *The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland*.  Randburg: BirdLife South Africa. 169 pp.  ISBN 0-620-25499-8.  [http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/otherpub.htm](http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/otherpub.htm).  **UNITED KINGDOM** Brown, Derek 2007.  *A Feasibility Study for the Eradication of Rodents from Tristan da Cunha*.  Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  36 pp.  [http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/tristan%20da%20cunha%20rodent%20eradication_feasibiilty_tcm9-180955.pdf](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/tristan%20da%20cunha%20rodent%20eradication_feasibiilty_tcm9-180955.pdf).  Brown, Derek 2007.  *Preliminary Operational Plan for the Eradication of Rodents from Tristan da Cunha*.  Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  115 pp. [http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/operationalplan_tcm9-180962.pdf](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/operationalplan_tcm9-180962.pdf).   Tristan Island Government 2006.  *Tristan da Cunha**Biodiversity Action Plan  (2006-2010).* [Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan da Cunha: Government of Tristan da Cunha].  53 pp. + nine annexes.  [http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/TristanBiodiversityActionPlan2_tcm9-180968.pdf](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/TristanBiodiversityActionPlan2_tcm9-180968.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 20 November 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/conservation-plans-and-red-data-books-dealing-with-acap-listed-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## Books and monographs published on albatrosses and petrels UPDATED {mosimage}   A list of books and monographs published since 1951 on the biology and conservation of albatrosses and petrels follows. Note that books such as field guides and hand books with a greater taxonomic coverage than members of the Order Procellariiformes are not included. Conference proceedings, workshop reports, bycatch mitigation manuals and conservation and related plans dealing with procellariiforms are listed elsewhere within the Resources Section of this web site. For a list of children’s books on albatrosses and petrels [**click here**](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=45). Beck, J.R & Brown,  D.W. 1972.  *The Biology of Wilson's Storm Petrel,* Oceanites oceanicus*(Kuhl) at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands*.  British Antarctic Survey Scientific Reports No. 69.  54 pp. Bell, Elizabeth A., Sim, Joanna L. & Scofield, P. 2007.  *Demographic Parameters of the Black Petrel (*Procellaria parkinsoni*)*. DOC  Research & Development Series No. 273.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  32 pp.  ISBN 978-0-478-14225-9.  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) BirdLife International 2004.  *Tracking**Ocean**Wanderers: the Global Distribution of Albatrosses and Petrels.  Results from the Global Procellariiform Tracking Workshop, 1-5 September, 2003, Gordon’s Bay, South Africa*.  Cambridge: BirdLife International.  100 pp.  ISBN 0-946888-55-8.  [**www.birdlife.org**](http://www.birdlife.org/). Brooke. Michael  1990.  *The Manx Shearwater*.  London: Academic Press.  246 pp.  ISBN 0-85661-057-7. Brooke, Michael 2004.  *Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World*.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.  499 pp.  ISBN 0 19 850125 0.  [**www.oup.com**](http://www.oup.com/).  Conroy, J.W.H. 1972.  *Ecological Aspects of the Biology of the Giant Petrel,*Macronectes giganteus*(Gmelin) in the Maritime Antarctic*. British Antarctic Survey Scientific Reports No. 75.  74 pp + 8 plates.    De Roy, Tui, Jones, Mark & Fitter, Julian 2008.  *Albatross. Their World, their Ways*.  London: Christopher Helm.  240 pp.  ISBN 978-0-7136-8812-2.  [**www.acblack.com**](http://www.acblack.com/).   Fisher, James 1952 (1984).  *The Fulmar*.  London: Collins. 496 pp.  ISBN 0 00 219065 6.   Fisher, Mildred L. 1970.  *The Albatross of Midway Island.  A Natural History of the Laysan Albatross*.  Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.  161 pp.  ISSN 0-8093-0426-0.   Gales, Rosemary 1993.  *Co-operative Mechanisms for the Conservation of Albatross*.  [Hobart]: Australian Nature Conservation Agency.  132 pp.  ISBN 0 642 19745 8.   Harper, Peter C. & Kinsky, F.C. 1974.  *Southern Albatrosses and Petrels.  An Identification Guide*.  Wellington: Price Milburn & Co. for Victoria University Press.  116 pp.  ISBN 0-7055-0667-3.   Jameson, William 1958.  *The Wandering Albatross*.  London: Rupert Hart-Davis.  99 pp.   Lindsey, Terence 2008.  *Albatrosses*.  (Australian Natural History Series).  Collingword: CSIRO Publishing.  139 pp.  ISBN 9780643094215.  [**www.publish.csiro.au**](http://www.publish.csiro.au/).   Matthews, L. Harrison 1951.  *Wandering Albatross.  Adventures among the Albatrosses and Petrels in the Southern Ocean*.  London: Macgibbon & Kee with Reinhardt & Evans.  134 pp.   Moore, Peter J. 2004.  *Abundance and Population Trends of Mollymawks on Campbell Island*.  Science for Conservation No. 242.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  62 pp.  ISBN 0-478-22570-9.  [www.doc.govt.nz](http://www.doc.govt.nz/)     Onley, Derek & Scofield, Paul 2007.  *Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World*. London: Christopher Helm.  240 pp.  ISBN 979-0-71236-4332-9.  [**www.acblack.com**](http://www.acblack.com/).   Robb, Magnus, Mullarney & The Sound Approach 2008.  Petrels Night & Day: a Sound Approach Guide. Poole, Uk: The Sound Approach to Birding.  24 pp + 2 CDs.  ISBN 978-90-810933-2-3. Robertson, Graham & Gales, Rosemary (Eds) 1998.  *Albatross Biology and Conservation*.  Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty & Sons.  300 pp.  ISBN 0 949324 82 5. Safina, Carl 2002.  *Eye of the Albatross.  Visions of Hope and Survival*.  New York: Holt and Company.  377 pp.  ISBN 0-8050-6228-9. Tickell, W.L.N. 2000.  *Albatrosses*. Mountfield: Pica Press.  448 pp.  ISBN 1-873403-94-1.  [**www.acblack.com**](http://www.acblack.com/). Terauds, Aleks & Stewart, Fiona 2005.  *Albatross.  Elusive Mariners of the Southern Ocean*.  Sydney: Reed New Holland. 175 pp.  ISBN 1 877069 26 4.  **[www.newholland.com.au](http://www.newholland.com.au/)**. *Tickell, W.L.N. 1962.  *The Dove Prion,* Pachyptila desolata*Gmelin*.  Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey Scientific Reports No. 33.  55 pp. + 8 plates. Tickell, W.L.N. 2000. *Albatrosses*.  Mountfield: Pica Press. 448 pp.  ISBN 1-873403-94-1. Warham, John 1990.  *The Petrels their Ecology and Breeding Systems*.  London: Academic Press.  440 pp.  ISBN 0-12-735420-4. Warham, John 1997.  *The Behaviour, Population Biology and Physiology of the Petrels*.  London: Academic Press.  613.  ISBN 0-12-735-4158.    *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 25 November 2008, updated 25 January 2009* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/books-and-monographs-published-on-albatrosses-and-petrels-updated.md) ## ACAP produces guidelines for the eradication of introduced mammals --- The guidelines paper, produced by Dr Richard Phillips, Convenor of the ACAP Breeding Sites Working Group, is now available on this web site in the [Education/Resources](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=9&Itemid=58) Section [[click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/Education_Resources/acap_eradication_guidelines_e.pdf) for the PDF]. {mosimage} There are introduced mammals present on many islands on which ACAP species currently breed. Introduced mammals threaten the breeding success of seabirds and are therefore potential candidates for eradication programmes. In addition, there is clearly value in removing introduced vertebrates from islands that were formerly occupied, or could be colonised, by ACAP species. The purpose of the paper is to provide guidelines to assist with the development of plans for the eradication of introduced vertebrates from breeding sites of ACAP species. These relate mainly to islands, but many of the same principles will apply to mainland sites. This should not be considered a substitute for obtaining appropriate and detailed advice from eradication experts.  *Posted by John  Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 November 2008*  [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-produces-guidelines-for-the-eradication-of-introduced-mammals.md) ## ACAP publishes two new species assessments: Shy Albatross and Black Petrel {mosimage} The ACAP species assessments aim to collate the most recent scientific information on population status and trends, distribution, threats, as well as any conservation measures that are in place for the 26 albatross and petrel species listed under the Agreement.  Go to the [Education/Resources Section](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=9&Itemid=58) for newly posted assessments for the Shy Albatross *Thalassarche cauta* [[click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/Species_Assessments/acap_species_assessment_shy_albatross_e.pdf) for PDF] and the Black Petrel  *Procellaria  parkinsoni* [[click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/Species_Assessments/acap_species_assessment_black_petrel_e.pdf) for PDF]. {mosimage} *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 November 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/acap-publishes-two-new-species-assessments-shy-albatross-and-black-petrel.md) ## Two more species assessments published: Tristan and Waved Albatrosses {mosimage}  The ACAP species assessments aim to collate the most recent scientific information on population status and trends, distribution, threats, as well as any conservation measures that are in place for the 26 albatross and petrel species listed under the Agreement.  Go to the [Education/Resources Section](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=9&Itemid=58) for newly posted assessments for the Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* [[click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/Species_Assessments/acap_species_assessment_tristan_albatross_e.pdf) for PDF] and the Waved Albatross  *Phoebastria irrorata* [[click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/Species_Assessments/acap_species_assessment_tristan_albatross_e.pdf) for PDF]. {mosimage} *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 November 2008, updated 1 December 2008*     [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/two-more-species-assessments-published-tristan-and-waved-albatrosses.md) ## Management Plans and Visitor Site Guides for Antarctic colonies of Southern Giant Petrels  {mosimage}   The Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus* is the only ACAP-listed species that breeds on the Antarctic Continent.   Fifteen of the species’ Antarctic breeding localities are protected as ASPAs (Antarctic Specially Protected Areas) and two as ASMAs (Antarctic Specially Managed Areas) in terms of the Antarctic Treaty ([http://www.ats.aq/index_e.htm](http://www.ats.aq/index_e.htm)).  The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), acting on the advice of its Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP; [http://www.ats.aq/e/cep.htm](http://www.ats.aq/e/cep.htm)), adopts new and updates existing management plans for ASPAs and ASMAs on an annual basis.   See [http://www.ats.aq/documents/cep/Register%20updated%202008_e.pdf](http://www.ats.aq/documents/cep/Register%20updated%202008_e.pdf) for a listing of ASPAs and ASMAs and to find PDFs of their management plans.   ASPAs with Southern Giant Petrel breeding colonies include:   Rookery Islands, Holme Bay, Mac.Robertson Land (ASPA 102) Southern Powell Island and adjacent islands, South Orkney Islands (ASPA 111) Coppermine Peninsula, Robert Island, South Shetland Islands (ASPA 112) Lichfield Island, Arthur Harbour, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago (ASPA 113) Avian Island, off Adelaide Island, Antarctic Peninsula (ASPA 117) Pointe-Geologie Archipelago, Terre Adélie (ASPA 120) Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands (ASPA 126) Western shore of Admiralty Bay, King George Island (ASPA 128) Potter Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland Islands (ASPA 132) Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Islands (ASA 133) Cierva Point and offshore islands, Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula (ASPA 134) Ardley Island, Maxwell Bay, South Shetland Islands (ASPA 150) Lions Rump, King George Island, South Shetland Islands (ASPA 151) Frazier Islands, Windmill Islands, Wilkes Land (ASPA 160) Hawker Island, Vestfold Hills, Ingrid Christensen Coast Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica (ASPA 167)   Southern Giant Petrels also breed within Admiralty Bay (ASMA 1; see its management plan at [http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att338_e.pdf](http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att338_e.pdf)) and Southwest Anvers Island and Palmer Basin (ASMA 7; [http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att385_e.pdf](http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att385_e.pdf)).   A further five Antarctic localities visited by tourists and which support Southern Giant Petrel colonies  have Visitor Site Guides published by the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (go to [http://www.ats.aq/e/ats_other_siteguidelines.htm](http://www.ats.aq/e/ats_other_siteguidelines.htm) to find PDFs of the site guides for the localities listed below).   The five visitor sites, all situated in the Antarctic Peninsula region, are:   Barrientos Island (Aitcho Islands), South Shetland Islands Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula (suspected breeding only) Hannah Point, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands Penguin Island, King George Island, South Shetland Islands Turret Point, King George Island, South Shetland Islands   *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 November 2008, amended 1 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/management-plans-and-visitor-site-guides-for-antarctic-colonies-of-southern-giant-petrels.md) ## Welcome! Brazil becomes ACAP’s 12th Party today {mosimage}   The Federal Republic of Brazil becomes the 12th Party to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels today, following the submission of its Instrument of Ratification to the Depository in Canberra, Australia on 3 September 2008.   Brazil is one of the seven original signatories to the Agreement ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=47) for the list of Parties).  All the signatories to the Agreement have now submitted their instruments of ratification and become Parties.   For information on Brazil’s progress to becoming a Party see earlier [news item](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114&Itemid=28) and  [news item](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=28).   The next, and 13th, Party to ACAP will be Uruguay, on 1 January 2009 (see earlier [news item](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=131&Itemid=28)).    *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/welcome-brazil-becomes-acap-s-12th-party-today.md) ## South African bycatch researcher receives international award in Rome/ updated {mosimage}   A prestigious award was made to South African bycatch researcher, Dr Samantha Petersen of [WWF-South Africa](http://www.cms.int/) at the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) in Rome, Italy this week.   The award was made in recognition of her PhD thesis which dealt with bycatch of seabirds, sharks and turtles in southern African waters.   For full details and to view photographs taken at the award ceremony go to [http://www.iisd.ca/cms/cop9/enbots/pdf/enbots1802e.pdf](http://www.iisd.ca/cms/cop9/enbots/pdf/enbots1802e.pdf) and [[click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=28)] for an earlier news item on the award winners.   The CMS’ [CoP9](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop9/COP9_documents_overview.htm) is this week considering a [resolution](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop9/documents/meeting_docs/Res%20and%20Rec/En/Res_9_18_Rev1_Bycatch_E.pdf) on bycatch submitted by Australia which, *inter alia*, calls for an assessment of the impact of fisheries bycatch on the conservation status of migratory species covered by the Convention.  It is to be noted that all ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels are also listed on the Convention’s [appendices](http://www.cms.int/documents/appendix/Appendices_COP8_E.pdf).    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 4 December 2008, updated 17 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-african-bycatch-researcher-receives-international-award-in-rome-updated.md) ## Southern Seabird Solutions Trust workshop hears of three new mitigation devices/updated {mosimage} At the Southern Seabird Solutions Trust’s international workshop held last month in New Zealand ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=117&Itemid=28) for earlier news item) three new bycatch mitigation devices were described: Australia’s Smart Hook, the Chilean Longline or Cachalotera and the New Zealand-developed Kiwi Longline Setting Tunnel.  Read about these devices at [http://www.southernseabirds.org/thumbs_up](http://www.southernseabirds.org/thumbs_up). Guest speakers at the workshop included Marco Favero, Chair of the ACAP Advisory Committee, John Croxall, Chair of BirdLife International's Global Seabird Programme and Carlos Moreno of the Universidad Austral de Chile. The full report of the workshop will be posted to [http://www.southernseabirds.org](http://www.southernseabirds.org/) when completed. In the meantime a short review of the workshop is included in the latest  *Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter* (No. 11, Nov-Dec 2008, pp. 9-10). To receive the BCNN contact the Editor, Emma Bradshaw at [ejb@bigpond.net.au](mailto:ejb@bigpond.net.au).  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer.  Posted 5 December 2008, updated 8 December 2008.* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/southern-seabird-solutions-trust-workshop-hears-of-three-new-mitigation-devices-updated.md) ## World Conservation Congress encourages range states to accede to ACAP {mosimage}   The [IUCN](http://www.iucn.org) 4th World Conservation Congress ([http://www.i.org/congress_08](http://www.iucn.org/congress_08)) meeting in Barcelona, Spain over 5-14 October 2008, approved [Resolution 4.118](http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/IUCNPolicy/Resolutions/2008_WCC_4/DRAFT_UNEDITED/045_rev1_draft_antarctica_and_the_southern_ocean.pdf) “Antarctica and the Southern Ocean”  which taking note of the “continuing deaths of seabirds in large numbers from long-line fishing operations” calls on all range states to accede to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).   The resolution also urges nations whose vessels undertake long-line fishing within the foraging ranges of albatrosses and petrels to “require the adoption of best-practice seabird by-catch mitigation measures, such as line weighting and night setting in their fisheries”, to promote the adoption of such measures by RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations), and to implement National Plans of Action -Seabirds.   The resolution also calls as a priority for a halt to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the oceans around Antarctica and calls for the necessary measures “to effectively prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing in the near future”.   All the adopted Congress resolutions, along with summaries of the voting record, may be viewed at [http://www.iucn.org/congress_08/assembly/policy/index.cfm](http://www.iucn.org/congress_08/assembly/policy/index.cfm).    *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/world-conservation-congress-encourages-range-states-to-accede-to-acap.md) ## CCAMLR Science publishes three papers on seabird bycatch mitigation {mosimage}   *CCAMLR Science* (ISSN 1023-4063) is the annual peer-reviewed Journal of the Scientific Committee and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources ([www.ccamlr.org](http://www.ccamlr.org/)).   Volume 15 for 2008 contains three papers that discuss the efficacy of mitigation devices to reduce the mortality of seabirds by longline fisheries.   The three papers are:   Moreno, C.A., Castro, R., Mújica, L.J. & Reyes, P. 2008.  Significant conservation benefits obtained from the use of a new fishing gear in the Chilean Patagonian Toothfish fishery. *CCAMLR Science* 15: 79-91.   Robertson, G., Moreno, C.A., Gutiérrez, E., Candy, S.G., Melvin, E.F. & Seco Pon, J.P. 2008.  Line weights of constant mass (and sink rates) for Spanish-system Patagonian Toothfish longline vessels.  *CCAMLR Science* 15: 93-106.   Robertson, G., Williamson, J., McNeill, M., Candy, S.G. & Smith, N. 2008.  Autoliners and seabird by-catch: do line setters increase the sink rate of integrated weight longlines?  *CCAMLR Science* 15: 107-114.   Copies of *CCAMLR Science* are available from the CCAMLR Secretariat at CCAMLR, PO Box 213, North Hobart 7002, Tasmania, Australia, or by e-mailing [ccamlr.science@ccamlr.org](mailto:ccamlr.science@ccamlr.org).   PDFs of the above papers are available at [http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/vol15.htm](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/vol15.htm).    Click here [http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/intro.htm](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/intro.htm) to access all earlier volumes of the journal.   *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/ccamlr-science-publishes-three-papers-on-seabird-bycatch-mitigation.md) ## Bonn Convention on Migratory Species adopts bycatch resolution/updated {mosimage}   The [Ninth](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop9/COP9_documents_overview.htm) Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int)), meeting in Rome, Italy over 1-5 December 2008 has adopted Resolution 9.18 on By-catch.  Submitted by Australia, the resolution was adopted on the last day of CoP9.   The resolution takes note that despite considerable progress on implementing bycatch mitigation measures to reduce the adverse impacts of fishing, bycatch remains one of the major causes of mortality of CMS-listed migratory species in the marine environment.  The resolution is of direct relevance to ACAP, since all the ACAP-listed species of albatrosses and petrel are also listed on one or other of the CMS’ [appendices](http://www.cms.int/documents/appendix/Appendices_COP8_E.pdf).   A request is made in the resolution for the CMS Secretariat to investigate the feasibility of both producing an assessment of the impact of fisheries bycatch on migratory species covered by the Bonn Convention and a review to identify priority fisheries, regions and species that would benefit from cooperative action though the CMS.   The resolution also calls on the CMS Scientific Council to continue to identify emerging and best-practice mitigation techniques, and strongly encourages States to work through RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations) to address the problem.  A call is also made for Parties that have not all already done so to produce their [National Plans of Action- Seabirds](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=82&Itemid=23).   ACAP was represented at CoP9 by Barry Baker, Convenor, [ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=45), who presented a report on behalf of ACAP to the 34th [Meeting](http://www.cms.int/bodies/StC_mainpage.htm) of the CMS Standing Committee, which met immediately before CoP9.  The report covered the activities and progress made by ACAP since the previous meeting of the CMS Conference of Parties held in 2005 ([CoP8](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop8/COP8_documents_overview.htm)).  Mr Baker is also the appointed Councillor for By-catch of the [CMS Scientific Council](http://www.cms.int/bodies/ScC_mainpage.htm).   [Click here](http://www.cms.int/press/pressreleases/press_release_CMS_COP9_rev.pdf) for a summary of what CoP9 achieved.  See also page eight (on the bycatch resolution) of an independent report of the Meeting at [http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/enb1838e.pdf](http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/enb1838e.pdf) in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin.   *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with input from Barry Baker.  Posted 7 December 2008, updated 8 December 2008.* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/bonn-convention-on-migratory-species-adopts-bycatch-resolution-updated.md) ## Indian Ocean Tuna Commission’s Scientific Committee proposes an observer programme  {mosimage}  The 11th Meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org/English/index.php) ) met in Mahé, Seychelles over 1-5 December 2008.   Among its work the [Committee](http://www.iotc.org/English/meetings/sc/sccurrent.php) considered the [report](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2008/wpeb/IOTC-2008-WPEB-R[E].pdf) of the Fourth Session of its [Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch](http://www.iotc.org/English/meetings/wp/wpbycurrent.php) (IOTC-2008-WPEB-R[E]), which had met previously in Bangkok, Thailand in October.   The WPEB report *inter alia* gives information on longline fishing by Taiwan in the Indian Ocean (IOTC-2008-WPEB-17).  Twenty-three observer trips were made on vessels from 2002 to 2006.  Average catch of seabirds was 0.048 birds per thousand hooks, to give a preliminary mean estimate of 1512 birds killed a year.  The WPEB encouraged Taiwan to continue its observer programme and to provide seabird identifications.   The Scientific Committee considered the need for an observer programme for all fishing vessels within the IOTC region.  Following discussion, there was unanimous support for a recommendation to be made to the next session of the Commission to this effect.   *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer with input from Ross Wanless, BirdLife Global Seabird Programme.  Posted 7 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/indian-ocean-tuna-commission-s-scientific-committee-proposes-an-observer-programme.md) ## Read about the Smart Hook in the latest Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter *{mosimage}*   The latest issue (No. 11, Nov-Dec 2008) of the electronic *Bycatch Communication Network Newsletter* (BCNN) has now been published.  The issue contains two articles of interest to the conservation of albatrosses and petrels.   Hans Jusseit (Ahi Enterprises, Australia) writes (pp. 7-9) on the “Smart Hook”, a new development whereby the longline hook is protected by a shield, held in place by a bio-degradable pin, which dissolves and releases the shield, thus exposing the baited hook at a depth of below 25 m.   The second article, by Shelly Biswell, [Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust](http://www.southernseabirds.org) , New Zealand reports (pp. 9-10) on the recent [workshop](http://www.southernseabirds.org/n1388,180.html) held in November 2008 by the SSST.  The Workshop received a presentation on the Smart Hook, expected to be on the market by mid-2009, as well as on two other developments to reduce mortality in longline fisheries: the “Cachaloteras” or Chilean Longline System* and the New Zealand -developed Kiwi Longline Setting Tunnel ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=28) to view a separate ACAP news item on the SSST Workshop). The BCNN may be received by e-mail on request from its Editor, Emma Bradshaw at [[ejb@bigpond.net.au](mailto:ejb@bigpond.net.au )](mailto:ejb@bigpond.net.auejb@bigpond.net.au) or found by going to the NOAA Fisheries Service web site's Bycatch Feature at [http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/bycatch.htm](http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/bycatch.htm). *To read a paper on the Chilean Longline System go to [http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/Vol-15-2008/04moreno-et-al.pdf](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cs/Vol-15-2008/04moreno-et-al.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted 8 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/read-about-the-smart-hook-in-the-latest-bycatch-communication-network-newsletter.md) ## The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project starts a newsletter {mosimage}   Australia’s sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island supports seven species of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels.  It also supports large populations of European Rabbits and two species of rodents, which are placing the island’s plant and animal life at considerable risk.   The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project aims to clear the islands of these unwanted mammals, commencing with a poison-bait drop in 2010.   *Macquarie Dispatch* is the newly-produced newsletter of the project, of which Issue 1 of November 2008 is now available.  It is intended to produce three issues a year until the project is completed.   Enquiries about receiving the newsletter may be made to [mieradication@parks.tas.gov.au](mailto:mieradication@parks.tas.gov.au)   To find out more on Macquarie and its pest eradication project consult the following:   Frost, Leslie 2006.  *Macquarie**Island**Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area Management Plan 2006*.  Hobart: Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment.  176 pp. + 15 maps.  ISBN 0 72 4660405 X.[http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6182](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6182) and [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=6609](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=6609) .   [Parks and Wildlife Service & Biodiversity Conservation Branch] 2007.  *Plan for the Eradication of Rabbits and Rodents on Subantarctic Macquarie Island*.  [Hobart]: Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment & Biodiversity Conservation Branch, Department of Primary Industries and Water.  30 pp.  [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6186](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=6186). *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/the-macquarie-island-pest-eradication-project-starts-a-newsletter.md) ## South Africa to survey rarely visited Prince Edward Island  {mosimage}  The R.S. *Africana* sails today from Cape Town for the sub-Antarctic with a multi-disciplinary team aboard to survey the birds, seals, invertebrates and alien plants of uninhabited and rarely-visited Prince Edward Island over a planned eight-day period spent camping ashore.  At the same time a second team will undertake counts of surface-nesting seabirds on nearby Marion Island, working from the weather station and from the eight coastal field huts.  The expedition is due back in Cape Town by year-end.   This will be only the second summer survey of Prince Edward Island’s seabirds, following the first conducted in December 2001 (Ryan *et al.* 2003).  Counts will be made to compare with those made seven years previously.   The ACAP-listed species to be counted on both islands are Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans*, Grey-headed Albatross *Thalassarche chrysostoma*, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross *T. carteri* (breeds on Prince Edward but not on Marion), Sooty Albatross *Phoebetria fusca*, Light-mantled Albatross *P. palpebrata*, Northern Giant Petrel *Macronectes halli* and Southern Giant Petrel *M. giganteus*.   In addition nocturnal observations on burrowing petrels on both islands will gain information on the current status of two further ACAP species: White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis* and Grey Petrel *P. cinerea*.   The counts of breeding albatrosses and giant petrels will allow an assessment of trends in their populations over the last near-decade to be made; information that will be fed to ACAP via its Advisory Committee’s Status and Trends Working Group.   As well as conducting the censuses, it is intended to attach satellite trackers (PTTs) to Grey-headed, Indian Yellow-nosed, Sooty and Light-mantled Albatrosses and to females of both species of giant petrels, to investigate their at-sea distributions while breeding.   The expedition is being led by Dr Robert Crawford of South Africa’s Marine and Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.  A link to ACAP is the presence on the expedition of ACAP’s honorary Information Officer, John Cooper.   Ryan, P.G., Cooper, J., Dyer, B.M., Underhill, L.G., Crawford, R.J.M. & Bester, M.N. 2003.  Counts of surface-nesting seabirds breeding at Prince Edward Island, summer 2001/02.  *African Journal of Marine* Science 25: 441-451. (see [http://www.ajol.info/viewarticle.php?jid=230&id=20693&layout=abstract](http://www.ajol.info/viewarticle.php?jid=230&id=20693&layout=abstract)).    *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-africa-to-survey-rarely-visited-prince-edward-island.md) ## Endangered Species Research to publish a theme issue on Fisheries bycatch: problems and solutions **{mosimage}**** ** *[Endangered Species Research](http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-home/)* (ESR) is an open-access electronic and print journal.  Volume 5, No. 2/3 of 2008 will contain a suite of papers on bycatch of seabirds, turtles and marine mammals in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries.  Several of the papers to be included in the theme issue address bycatch of ACAP-listed albatrosses in Brazilian and South African waters.   ESR publishes final versions of papers on receipt electronically as “preprints” before they are paginated and printed.   Go to [http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-specials/fisheries-bycatch-problems-and-solutions/](http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-specials/fisheries-bycatch-problems-and-solutions/) for a preview of the theme preprints that have been posted to date.    *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/endangered-species-research-to-publish-a-theme-issue-on-fisheries-bycatch-problems-and-solutions.md) ## Albatross-counting party goes ashore on Prince Edward Island {mosimage}   After an uneventful six-day journey south in mainly calm seas, the fisheries research vessel R.S. *Africana* successfully landed a multi-disciplinary survey team ashore on South Africa’s sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Island today.  The landing was made in calm seas but sometimes strong winds by rigid inflatables (RIBs) at Cave Bay on the island’s south-east coast – the locality of the annexation of the island by South Africa over sixty years ago in January 1948.   Over the next six days the 10-person team, the first to visit the island since 2003, will survey all the breeding albatrosses and giant petrels ([see earlier news item](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=164&Itemid=28)) on the island, as well as counting fur seals, surveying the distribution of alien plants and conducting botanical and entomological research.   The count to be made of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses *Thalassarche carteri* on nests with small chicks will be compared with that of 4870 pairs made in December 2001 (which resulted in an estimate of 7500 pairs, allowing for undercounting and nest failures, a figure then calculated as being 21% of the species’ world population).  Ten satellite transmitters (PTTs) will be deployed to study the species’ distribution at sea while breeding, and attempts will be made to recapture some of the 500 brooding adults banded on the mollymawk breeding cliffs lining Albatross Valley in 2001.   Albatross Valley has been described as one of the major avian spectacles in the world.  Over a thousand Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* nests can be visible from a single vantage point, representing in 2001 approximately 14% (1182 occupied nests) of the world’s annually-breeding population.  As many Wanderer nests as possible will be checked for banded birds, likely to have come from adjacent Marion Island, as well as from the French Crozet Islands and farther afield from at-sea banding conducted in Australian waters.   Information source:   Cooper, J. (Ed.).  2003.  Seabirds and seals of the Prince Edward Islands.  *African Journal of Marine Science* 25: 415-562.  [http://www.ajol.info/viewissue.php?jid=230&id=2860&ab=0](http://www.ajol.info/viewissue.php?jid=230&id=2860&ab=0).   *Posted from Marion Island in the Southern Ocean by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 December 2008*. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/albatross-counting-party-goes-ashore-on-prince-edward-island.md) ## Species Assessment for Amsterdam Albatross published {mosimage} Click on the link below to find the Species Assessment for the Amsterdam Albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis* - the seventh ACAP-listed species to have its assessment posted to the ACAP web site. [http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=58](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=167&Itemid=58)  !7 December 2008 [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/species-assessment-for-amsterdam-albatross-published.md) ## CCAMLR’s role in reducing seabird bycatch reviewed {mosimage}   The history of activities undertaken and measures adopted by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR, [www.ccamlr.org](http://www.ccamlr.org/)) to reduce the bycatch of seabirds, especially of albatrosses and petrels, is described and reviewed in two scientific papers published this year (Croxall 2008, Waugh *et al*. 2008).   Commencing with longline fisheries, and then expanding too all fin fisheries within the CCAMLR region of the Southern Ocean, there has been a progressive reduction in the numbers of seabirds killed by legal fishers since the mid 1990s, now approaching (or even achieving) zero levels in some statistical regions.   The application of the CCAMLR approach, and of its successes, to other and adjacent regions (both domestic through national states, and international, through southern RFMOs [Regional Fishery Management Organizations]) of the Southern Ocean is considered in the two papers.   Croxall, J.P. 2008.  The role of science and advocacy in the conservation of Southern Ocean albatrosses at sea.  *Bird Conservation International* 18: S13-S29. **[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?jid=BCI&volumeId=18&issueId=S1&iid=2040084](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?jid=BCI&volumeId=18&issueId=S1&iid=2040084)#**[http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FBCI%2FBCI18_S1%2FS0959270908000300a.pdf&code=85dc688da9723fc09ea5704c1f57a0b3](http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FBCI%2FBCI18_S1%2FS0959270908000300a.pdf&code=85dc688da9723fc09ea5704c1f57a0b3)   Waugh, S.M., Baker, G.B., Gales, R. & Croxall, J.P. 2008.  CCAMLR process of risk assessment to minimise the effects of longline fishing mortality on seabirds.  *Marine Policy* 32: 442-454. [[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VCD-4PYJPCT-1&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2008&_rdoc=24&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235952%232008%23999679996%23684552%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5952&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=34&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=d40425f38f206b7a7eef11e1731c331b](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VCD-4PYJPCT-1&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2008&_rdoc=24&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235952%232008%23999679996%23684552%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5952&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=34&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=d40425f38f206b7a7eef11e1731c331bJohn)](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VCD-4PYJPCT-1&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2008&_rdoc=24&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235952%232008%23999679996%23684552%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5952&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=34&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=d40425f38f206b7a7eef11e1731c331b)   *John**Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, Posted 17 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/ccamlr-s-role-in-reducing-seabird-bycatch-reviewed.md) ## Third aerial survey of White-capped Albatrosses at the Auckland Islands completed For the third successive year, an aerial survey of breeding White-capped Albatrosses *Thalassarche steadi* has been undertaken at the Auckland Islands, south of New Zealand.   The survey was made by Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants under contract to New Zealand’s Ministry of Fisheries.  A helicopter flew the photographic team, led by Barry Baker, from Invercargill, South Island to Enderby Island in the Auckland Group on 14 December for refueling.  Aerial photography was then undertaken at Disappointment Island (where the bulk of the species’ population breeds), South West Cape on the main island, and at Adams Island.  The helicopter then returned the same day to Invercargill via a second refueling stop on Enderby. The five-year study aims to estimate population size and track population trends, as part of larger programme directed at assessing the effects of fishing on the population viability of selected seabird species. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, with input from Barry Baker, Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants, 17 December 2008* {mosimage} [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/third-aerial-survey-of-white-capped-albatrosses-at-the-auckland-islands-completed.md) ## Seasonal greetings from ACAP  {mosimage} Seasonal greetings and all best wishes for 2009 from the ACAP Secretariat:  Warren Papworth, Heidi Auman, Barry Baker, John Cooper, Luke Finley and Wieslawa Misiak    [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/seasonal-greetings-from-acap.md) ## Prince Edward survey party achieves objectives  {mosimage} The ten-person South African survey team on sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Island was successfully picked up and transferred to the weather station on nearby Marion Island yesterday afternoon. With good weather in the main, despite some high winds at times leading to a collapsed tent, the counting objectives for seven ACAP-listed species ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=169&Itemid=28) for a previous news item on the survey) were all achieved.  In addition, the three survey teams on Marion Island have completed their work with the last party returning from the field today after a night and morning of exceptional, gale-force winds. It is intended the expedition will sail for Cape Town tomorrow. The journey home will see the various counts being amalgamated, so that population trends from previous surveys can be ascertained.  *News from John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, posted from Marion Island, 23 December 2008*         [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/prince-edward-survey-party-achieves-objectives.md) ## Two ACAP-listed species proposed for downlisting to “Least Concern” status {mosimage}   BirdLife International’s ([www.birdlife.org](http://www.birdlife.org/)) Globally Threatened Bird Forum for seabirds is giving consideration to downlisting both the Southern and Northern Giant Petrels *Macronctes giganteus* and *M. halli* from a “Near-threatened” to a “Least Concern” status (see [http://www.birdlifeforums.org/WebX/Globally%20Threatened%20Bird%20Forums/Threatened%20Seabirds/](http://www.birdlifeforums.org/WebX/Globally%20Threatened%20Bird%20Forums/Threatened%20Seabirds/)).   The two proposals are based on evidence of upward trends in several populations (see an earlier [news item](https://www.acap.aq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=28) on the status of the Antarctic population of Southern Giant Petrels).   A proposal has also been made to downlist the Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* to “Near Threatened”.   The Globally Threatened Seabird Forum allows viewers to register and add their own comments on listing proposals, which can then be read by all.  These postings will be taken into account in making a decision on any changes to the species' threatened status.    *Posted by John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 December 2008* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/two-acap-listed-species-proposed-for-downlisting-to-least-concern-status.md) ## Thesis Award for CMS closing soon The UNEP/CMS Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation, sponsored by National Geographic Deutschland and Lufthansa, is now open for applications until May 2008. The award of 10,000 EURO (c. 14,650 US$) will be offered at the 9th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to CMS (COP9) in Rome in December 2008, in affiliation with Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK) and the Global Register of Migratory Species in Bonn. The Secretariat of the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species advertises this award to promote scientific research and conservation of migratory species, as defined by the convention. Read more about this award and how to apply at [http://www.cms.int/news/PRESS/nwPR2008/01_Jan/Thesis_award.htm](http://www.cms.int/news/PRESS/nwPR2008/01_Jan/Thesis_award.htm) {mosimage} [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/cms-thesis-award.md)