This graphical abstract shows how DNA sequencing can help discriminate between seabird species caught as bycatch, compared to visual methods of identification. Different parts of seabirds' genomes have sequences that are specific to each species, which can be targeted with the right DNA markers. Graphical abstract illustrated by Stacey McCormack [Visual Knowledge Pty Ltd] and supplied by Andrea Polanowski 

Andrea Polanowski (Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water, Australia) and colleagues have published open access in the journal Ecology and Evolution on the use of DNA in identifying seabird bycatch.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Incidental mortality in fisheries is a major driver of population declines for albatrosses and petrels globally. However, accurate identification of species can be difficult due to the poor condition of bycaught birds and/or visual similarities between closely related species. We assessed three genetic markers for their ability to distinguish the 36 albatross and petrel species listed in Annex 1 to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and in Australia's Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for the bycatch of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations. We generated 275 new sequences, from 29 species, to improve the coverage of reference databases for these listed species. The combined use of the selected Cytochrome b and Control Region markers enabled the identification of 31 of 36 listed seabirds to species level and four to sister species. One petrel species could not be evaluated as no reference sequences were available. We tested these markers on 59 feathers from bycaught seabirds and compared these to onboard visual identification. We successfully assigned all procellariiforms to species (n = 58), whereas only two seabirds were correctly identified to species visually onboard, highlighting the difficulty of visual species assignment and the need for alternative methods. We assessed the utility of our two chosen markers for the assignment of all procellariiform species, with 74% of species with reference sequences identified to species or sister species level. However, a precautionary approach is needed for application beyond our listed species due to unvalidated reference sequences. The approach described here provides a streamlined framework for the molecular identification of seabird bycatch. This approach is recommended for use in fisheries within and outside Australian waters to improve the resolution of bycatch reporting and to corroborate logbook entries, observer reports and audits of images captured by electronic monitoring systems as well as help inform conservation efforts.”

Reference:

Polanowski, A.M., MacDonald, A.J., Double, M.C., Barrington, J.H.S., Burg, T.M., Wienecke, B. and McInnes, J.C. (2024), The Development of DNA Markers to Resolve Uncertainties of Seabird Bycatch Identification From Longline Fisheries in Australian Waters. Ecolology and Evolution, 14: e70568. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70568

5 December 2024

The male RLK incubating on the Signal Station Trig nest, photograph from the New Zealand Department of Conservation

Season 10 of “Royal Cam” has started in the mainland colony of Endangered Northern Royal Albatrosses Diomedia sanfordi at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head.  A new breeding pair has now been chosen to become the star of what has become a popular 24-hour streaming service.

The new pair are RLK (colour bands Red, Lime, Black), a 12-year-old male and GLG (Green, Lime Green), a14-year-old female.  This biennially-breeding pair first bred in 2019/20, but their egg failed.  They then successfully raised female chicks during the 2020/21 and 2022/23 breeding seasons.  In the current season GLG laid her egg on 11 November; it was candled and found to be fertile.  RLK and GLG will take turns to incubate the egg for 2.5 months before they have a new chick.

“Royal Albatross Cam - The new season begins, the parents are RLK and GLG”

Information from the Albatross Lovers Facebook page.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 04 December 2024

Being a conservationist in the modern world is not always easy. Some of us can suffer from "ecological grief" - a deep emotional respose to the loss of the natural world due to climate change or environmental destruction. It can include feelings of despair, hopelessness, anxiety, and sadness. We live in a world where we are surrounded by examples of "ecocide", defined by a panel of international lawyers as  “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts”.

I guess that I am fortunate in that my current conservation activities and interests are directed towards the protection of uninhabited islands on which seabirds breed, especially those that support ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels in the Southern Ocean.  My roles as News Correspondent for the Mouse-Free Marion Project and as ACAP's Emeritus Information Officer have both given me the opportunity to follow, and to write about, the fortunes of many seabird islands from which introduced mammals, especially rodents and feral cats, have been eradicated, leading to the recovery of their ecosystems.  Most recently I wrote in ACAP Latest News of the truly remarkable changes that have occurred on Australia's Lord Howe Island after the removal of its alien rats and mice.  Such good-news stories are heartening to me and help combat the ecologcally bad news we are faced with on a daily basis.  They will have served their purpose if they do the same for my readers.

Humour can help us get through personal, and increasingly global, bad times. The cartoon depicted here is entitled "Here’s an actual good news story! (unless you are a rodent)" by Tasmanian-based cartoonist First Dog on the Moon tells the story of Lord Howe Island's recovery after its "derodentification" far better than my words ever could. So I will just stop here and hope it helps you get through your day, as it did me!

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 03 December 2024

Pictured left to right: CCAMLR Executive Secretary, David Agnew, and ACAP Executive Secretary, Dr Christine Bogle, signing the renwal of  the Momorandum of Understanding between the two organisations

The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) have reaffirmed their commitment to seabird conservation by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another three years. This collaboration underscores the shared goals of both organisations to mitigate seabird bycatch and promote marine biodiversity conservation.

The renewal was discussed during the 43rd CCAMLR Meeting under Agenda Item 11, Cooperation with Other Organisations. ACAP expressed gratitude to the CCAMLR Executive Secretary for recommending the extension and highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation at CCAMLR meetings and through collaborative efforts.

ACAP has been an active contributor to CCAMLR’s deliberations, particularly in the Working Group on Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing (WG-IMAF) and the Scientific Committee. Much of this input focuses on best practices for seabird bycatch mitigation. In addition, ACAP provides updates on relevant developments, including guidance related to the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza pandemic. 

ACAP encouraged CCAMLR Members to engage with its work by attending upcoming meetings and sharing relevant research. ACAP’s next triennial Meeting of the Parties will take place in May 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand, followed by Working Group meetings in 2026.

The renewed MoU reflects the ongoing partnership between ACAP and CCAMLR and highlights their mutual dedication to safeguarding seabirds and marine ecosystems. 

2 December 2024