Forty years of conserving seabirds in and around the Pacific Ocean

Releasing a rehabilitated Newell’s Shearwater in 2018, photograph by Andre-Raine

Craig Harrison (Santa Rosa, California, USA) has published in the open-access journal Marine Ornithology on work conducted by the Pacific Seabird Group over four decades to improve the conservation status of seabirds, including Critically Endangered Newell's Shearwater Puffinus newelli

The paper’s abstract follows:

“The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG), founded in 1972, is “dedicated to the study and conservation of Pacific seabirds and their environment.” During its first 40 years, PSG undertook scores of conservation actions, although as an all-volunteer organization, PSG lacked the capacity to implement many programs or projects. It achieved its conservation goals through leadership, raising issues, bringing the best science to decision makers, and serving as a catalyst for others to act. PSG has been especially influential in six areas: (1) eradicating invasive alien animals from seabird colonies; (2) conserving Marbled Murrelets Brachyramphus marmoratus; (3) protecting seabird colonies in western Mexico; (4) promoting the wise use of oil spill recovery funds; (5) conserving Newell's Shearwaters Puffinus newelli; and (6) protecting many terrestrial and marine environments important to seabirds.”

Reference:

Harrison, C.S. 2026.  Conserving seabirds: actions of the Pacific Seabird Group during its first 40 years.  Marine Ornithology 54: 189-214.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 07 July 2026