The Convention on Migratory Species reviews implementation of Concerted Action for the Antipodean Albatross at its Fifteenth Conference of Parties

An Antipodean Albatross breeds next to the megaherb, Lance-leaf Button Daisy Pleurophyllum hookeri, on Adams Island, Auckland Island, photograph by Colin ODonnell

The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS, also known as the Bonn Convention) is considering a report (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.31.2.9, also available in French and Spanish) on the Endangered Antipodean Albatross Diomedea antipodensis (listed on CMS Appendix I) at its Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15), being held this week in Campo Grande, Brazil.  The 16-page report on implementation of the Concerted Action for the albatross, (UNEP/CMS/Concerted Action 13.12) adopted at COP13 in 2020, has been submitted by the Governments of Australia, Chile and New Zealand.  Its Summary follows:

“This report provides the third implementation update for the Antipodean albatross Concerted Action.  Good progress towards achieving the various fisheries management and research objectives is reported.  In particular, a number of new domestic fisheries management measures have been implemented and intensive satellite tracking has identified key areas of overlap with fishing activity in the high seas.  However, progress in addressing high seas fishery bycatch (the greatest threat) remains limited and population monitoring shows no recovery.  As such, a revised Concerted Action is proposed for the next intersessional period, with a particular focus on addressing high seas fishery bycatch.”

Antipodean Albatross, artwork by Lea Finke for the inaugural World Albatross Day on 19 June 2020, after a photograph by Kirk Zufelt

The report ends with a call for action: “Given the lack of recovery of Antipodean albatross, and the slow progress in addressing the greatest threats (fisheries bycatch in the high seas), we propose an updated Concerted Action is endorsed for the next intersessional period.  The updated Concerted Action will guide and prioritise future actions, in particular towards addressing the threat of fisheries bycatch in the high seas.”

"CMS Appendix I comprises migratory species in danger of extinction in the wild throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Parties that are Range States to a migratory species listed on Appendix I endeavour to strictly protect them by prohibiting the taking of such species (including the deliberate killing, capture or disturbance), with a very restricted scope for exceptions; conserving and, where appropriate, restoring their habitats; preventing, removing or mitigating obstacles to their migration; and controlling other factors that might endanger them" (click here).

Access ACAP's report (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Inf.10.3.2) to COP15 here.  In its report ACAP welcomes the third report on the implementation of, and proposal for, a continuation of the Concerted Action for the Antipodean Albatross.  It also  notes the proposal for a Concerted Action for the Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes that links to the proposal for the listing of this species on Appendix II (read more here).

ACAP Latest News will report on the outcome of the submission on the Antipodean Albatross to COP15 once information is made publicly available by the Convention.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 25 March 2026