“Would you like to be a part of a successful ecosystem recovery project?  Join us on a unique journey to Kure Atoll Wildlife Sanctuary, where wildlife comes first.”

The State of Hawai'i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is seeking Habitat Restoration Volunteers for work at Kure Atoll Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  The atoll is part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and provides important habitat for wildlife, including Laysan Phoebastria immutabilis and Black-footed P. nigripes Albatrosses (both ACAP listed) and Christmas Shearwaters Puffinus nativitatus.

“DLNR is committed to eradicating non-native and invasive plant species such as Golden Crown-beard Verbesina encelioides from the atoll.  Invasive plants are a significant management concern because they displace native plants, which are necessary for wildlife habitat and promote dune stability.  This position is a rare opportunity to protect and recover a unique ecosystem while living in a remote wildlife sanctuary.”

For more information, check out the full advert from the Kure Atoll Conservancy.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 11 September 2025

 Arctic Fulmar

Susanne Kühn (Wageningen Marine Research, Den Helder, The Netherlands) and colleagues have produced an annual report in their series on plastic pollution in beach-wrecked Arctic Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis from The Netherlands.

“In 2024, we received 37 birds from Dutch beaches, 32 of which still had an intact stomach. Because the annual number of birds can vary, we mainly look at the past 5-year period (2020–2024).  From that period, 228 fulmars were available, of which 92% had plastic in their stomach. On average, these birds had ingested 24 pieces of plastic with an average weight of 0.24 grams of plastic per bird.  53% of the animals had more plastic in their stomach than the desired threshold value of 0.1 grams.  The EU’s long-term goal is that no more than 10% of birds exceed this threshold. According to our calculations, this goal could be reached in 2077.”

Reference:

Kühn, S., Meijboom, A., Bittner, O. & Van Franeker, J.A. 2025.  Fulmar Litter Monitoring in the Netherlands –Update 2024.  Wageningen Marine Research Report C033/25 and RWS Centrale Informatievoorziening Report.  Den Helder, The Netherlands.  47 pp.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 10 September 2025

A Flesh-footed Shearwater on Lord Howe Island, photograph by Tim Reid

Jennifer Lavers (Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia) and Alex Bond have published in the journal Emu – Austral Ecology on age at first return in the Near Threatened Flesh-footed or Sable Shearwater Ardenna carnepeis. The species has been suggested for ACAP listing.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Long-term datasets are fundamental to the accurate estimation of demographic parameters for long-lived species. This is particularly the case for declining species where there is an imperative to identify which parameter(s) are driving population dynamics. Using eleven years of banding and recapture data (2015–2025), we provide the first estimate of age at first return for a declining population of Sable Shearwaters Ardenna carneipes on Lord Howe Island in eastern Australia. Mean age at first return was 6.2 years, which is among the longest pre-breeding period reported for any shearwater. Various factors that may influence shearwater recruitment age, such as climate and population size, are briefly discussed.”

Reference:

Lavers, J.L. & Bond, A.L. 2025.  Age at first return of Sable Shearwaters (Ardenna carneipes), Emu doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2025.2553645.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels,  09 September 2025

Newi Makhado proudly holds his Eagle-Owl Award statuette and framed certificate, photograph by John Cooper

South Africa’s ACAP National Contact Point, Dr Azwianewi (Newi) Makhado of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, received a prestigious Eagle-Owl Award from BirdLife South Africa at the South African Bird Fair in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden 

this last weekend.  One of only two Eagle-Owl Awards made for 2025, Newi received the award from BirdLife South Africa’s President, Yvonne Pendleton.

Newi Makhado is a Member of the ACAP Advisory Committee representing South Africa, and of both the Population and Conservation Status Working Group and Seabird Bycatch Working Group that report to the Advisory Committee.  Dr Makhado also serves on the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group and Non-target Species Advisory Panel of the Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion Project.

Newi Makhado visits the Mouse-Free Marion Project stand at the 2025 South African Bird Fair on 06 September, photograph by John Cooper

Newi’s award citation follows:

“Dr Azwianewi (Newi) Makhado deservedly receives an Eagle-Owl Award in recognition of his significant contributions to seabird conservation and his support of BirdLife South Africa's strategic objectives, particularly through the Seabird Conservation Programme and the 2025 Regional Red List assessment process.

Newi is a leading seabird ecologist and a dedicated conservation scientist with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, where he leads the Top Predator programme. In this role, he has made extensive contributions to the understanding and protection of South Africa’s marine top predators, notably seabirds such as penguins, albatrosses and petrels.

In 2024 and 2025, together with Rob Crawford, Newi co-authored 11 Red List assessments, applying his in-depth knowledge of long-term monitoring data, particularly for species breeding at the Prince Edward Islands. His technical input ensured that population trends and threats were accurately documented, and that conservation statuses were grounded in the best available evidence. He also provided guidance on broader seabird assessments, demonstrating his commitment to collaborative and rigorous science.

Beyond his formal duties, Newi has played a significant role in supporting BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Conservation Programme. He has facilitated access to data, engaged meaningfully in scientific dialogue and represented South Africa in international policy arenas such as the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. His ability to bridge science and policy has advanced regional and global conservation efforts for seabirds.

His passion for seabirds is captured in Birds on the Brink, where he reflects on decades of grueling yet purposeful fieldwork at Marion Island and on the Antarctic Peninsula. His research has illuminated the complex interactions between fur seals and seabirds, chronicled the alarming declines in Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins, and highlighted the multiple pressures faced by marine predators in changing ecosystems.

Since 2023, Newi has voluntarily contributed his time and expertise as a member of the BirdLife South Africa Conservation Advisory Committee, further supporting the organisation’s conservation efforts.

Newi’s contributions extend far beyond field surveys: he is a champion of conservation, a mentor to young scientists, and a powerful advocate in international forums. His support of BirdLife South Africa has been instrumental to our work and mission. For these reasons, he is a worthy recipient of an Eagle-Owl Award.”

ACAP extends its congratulations to Newi Makhado and looks forward to continuing to work with him both intersessionally and at its meetings.

With thanks to Clare Neall, BirdLife South Africa.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 08 September 2025