Victoria González Carman (Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina) and colleagues have published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science on the roles of albatrosses, seals and turtles in identifying key ecological areas, such as highly productive Río de la Plata region which sustains the main coastal fisheries of Uruguay and Argentina.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“During the last centuries, populations of marine megafauna—such as seabirds, turtles, and mammals—were intensively exploited.  At present, other threats such as bycatch and pollution affect these species, which play key ecological roles in marine ecosystems as apex consumers and/or nutrient transporters.  This study analyses the distribution of six megafaunal species (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, Dermochelys coriacea, Thalassarche melanophris, Otaria flavescens, and Arctocephalus australis) coexisting in the Southwestern Atlantic to discuss their protection in terms of current management strategies in the region.  Through the prediction of the species potential distributions and their relation to bathymetry, sea temperature and oceanographic fronts, key ecological areas are defined from a multi-taxa perspective.  Information on the distribution of 70 individuals (18 sea turtles, 19 albatrosses, and 33 otariids) was obtained through satellite tracking conducted during 2007–2013 and analysed using a Geographic Information System and maximum entropy models.  During the autumn–winter period, megafaunal species were distributed over the continental shelves of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, mainly over the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone and the Argentina-Uruguay Common Fishing Zone.  Despite some differences, all megafaunal species seems to have similar environmental requirements during the autumn–winter period.  Mostly waters shallower than 50 m were identified as key ecological areas, with the Río de la Plata as the habitat with the highest suitability for all the species.  This area is highly productive and sustains the main coastal fisheries of Uruguay and Argentina, yet its role as a key ecological area for megafaunal species has been underestimated until now.  This approach provides a basis to analyse the effect of anthropic activities on megafaunal species through risk maps and, ultimately, to generate knowledge to improve national and bi-national management plans between Argentina and Uruguay.”

Black-browed Albatross, photograph by Juan Pablo Seco Pon

With thanks to Juan Pablo Seco Pon.

Reference:

González Carman, V., Mandiola, A., Alemany, D., Dassis, M., Seco Pon, J.P., Prosdocimi, L., Ponce de León, A., Mianzan, H., Acha, E.M., Rodríguez, D., Favero, M. & Copello, S. 2016.  Distribution of megafaunal species in the Southwestern Atlantic: key ecological areas and opportunities for marine conservation.  ICES Journal of Marine Science.  doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsw019.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 March 2016.

The following text come from the Hutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust of Kaikoura, New Zealand.

“The nationally endangered Hutton's shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) is the only seabird globally to breed in a sub-alpine environment, with the only two breeding colonies remaining in the Seaward Kaikoura Range in the South Island.

From an estimated population numbering millions of birds, introduced mammals and changes in land use have decreased the Hutton’s shearwater population to less than half a million. There is an estimated breeding population of more than 100,000 pairs, with a similar number of non-breeding birds visiting colonies early in the breeding season. Despite this relatively high number the species is regarded as nationally endangered because of past declines (evident from extinct colonies) and the threats still faced.

The Hutton's shearwater was long known to Māori, providing a major sustainable source of protein to Ngāti Kuri. Chicks were harvested from their burrows shortly before fledging and preserved in pōhā/kelp bags. The Hutton’s shearwater was first officially described in 1912, and later there were anecdotal reports from high country farmers, hunters and various others of 'muttonbird' burrows at high elevations in the Seaward Kaikoura Range, behind Kaikoura. In 1965, following on from these leads, Geoff Harrow found carcasses in the headwaters of the Kowhai River at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,800 m above sea level, that were confirmed as Hutton's shearwaters.

Extensive searching led to the confirmation of eight colonies, but only two remnant colonies remain today. At least ten colonies formerly existed in both the Seaward Kaikoura and Inland Kaikoura Ranges; there is questionable evidence that the species may have bred beyond these mountains.

Habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals is the main threat to remaining Hutton’s shearwater populations. Feral pigs are considered a major threat, being responsible for the loss of colonies in the last 100 years. Deer and chamois are known to trample nesting burrows, while stoats and cats will eat young birds and eggs. Both of the remaining breeding colonies are confined to a small area, making the birds extremely vulnerable to events such as landslides or predation which could lead to extinction.

A third colony (Te Rae o Atiu) was established on the Kaikoura Peninsula in 2005, to ensure long-term survival. This was a joint project by Te Runanga o Kaikoura, Whale Watch Kaikoura, Department of Conservation, and Forest & Bird, with support from the local community. A predator-proof fence was then constructed by the Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust in 2010. Multiple translocations occurred, with chicks transferred from mountain burrows to artificial burrows at the new colony. Volunteers hand fed chicks for a 2-3 week period, until they fledged. During this time the chicks ‘imprinted’ on the site, ensuring they would return to the new colony to breed. Chicks raised there are already returning and producing their own offspring.”

Read earlier accounts of Hutton’s Shearwaters in ACAP Latest News and visit the trust’s Facebook page.

Hutton's Shearwater at sea

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 March 2016

Due to staff movements, two positions have become available within the Seabird Conservation Programme of BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) as Leader and as Instructor for the Albatross Task Force in Cape Town.  The ATF is part of the global Save the Albatross Campaign.

The appointed Leader will be involved with rodent eradication programmes planned for Marion and Gough Islands, possible expansion of ATF work into Angola, leading BirdLife International policy and advocacy at the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, implementation of pilot electronic monitoring programmes for seabird bycatch in South Africa and Brazil, and other aspects of BLSA’s Common Oceans project.

The Instructor will be expected to undertake frequent trips (up to two weeks) onboard fishing vessels collecting data on seabird-fisheries interactions.

Black-browed Albatrosses gather behind a trawler in the South Atlantic, photograph by Graham Parker 

A two-page CV and motivational letter should be submitted by 30 March to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Read more here.

BirdLife South Africa is a partner of BirdLife International, the world’s largest network of conservation organisations.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 March 2016

A 2013 report by Michelle Reynolds (Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaii, U.S.A.) and colleagues that considers the likely effects of predicted sea level rise on the breeding seabirds, including ACAP-listed Laysan Abatross Phoebastria immutabilis, of the USA’s French Frigate Shoals in the Northern Pacific is now available on line.

The report’s abstract follows:

Globally, seabirds are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats both at sea and on land. Seabirds typically nest colonially and show strong site fidelity; therefore, conservation strategies could benefit from an understanding of the population dynamics and vulnerability of breeding colonies to climate change.  More than 350 atolls exist across the Pacific Ocean; while they provide nesting habitat for many seabirds, they are also vulnerable to sea-level rise.  We used French Frigate Shoals, the largest atoll in the Hawaiian Archipelago, as a case study to explore seabird colony dynamics and the potential consequences of sea-level rise.  We compiled a unique combination of data sets: historical observations of islands and seabirds, a 30-year time series of population abundance, LiDAR- (light detection and ranging) derived elevations, and satellite imagery.  To model population dynamics for ten species at Tern Island from 1980 to 2009, we used the Gompertz model with parameters for the population growth rate, density dependence, process variation, and observation error.  We used a Bayesian approach to estimate the parameters.  All species increased in a pattern that provided evidence of density dependence.  Density dependence may exacerbate the consequences of sea-level rise on seabirds because species that are already near the carrying capacity of the nesting habitat will be limited more than species that still have space for population growth. Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor), Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra), Gray-backed Tern (Onychoprion lunatus), and White Tern (Gygis alba) are likely already at carrying capacity at Tern Island and therefore are most likely to be negatively impacted by sea-level rise. We project 12% of French Frigate Shoals (excluding La Pesrouse Pinnacle) will be inundated with +1.0 m sea-level rise or 32% with +2.0 m. Gray-backed Terns that nest along the coastal perimeters of islands and shrub-nesting species that are habitat limited are especially vulnerable to sea-level rise.  However, at Tern Island, seawalls and habitat creation may mitigate projected seabird population declines due to habitat loss.  We predict substantial losses in seabird nesting habitat across the low-lying Hawaiian Islands by 2100 and emphasize the need to restore higher elevation seabird colonies.”

A Laysan Albatross flies over the low-lying shore, photograph by James Lloyd

Click here to access a related publication by Michelle Reynolds.

Selected References:

Hatfield, J., Reynolds, M.H., Seavy, N.E. & Krause, C.M. 2012. Population dynamics of Hawaiian seabird colonies vulnerable to sea-level rise. Conservation Biology 26: 667-678.

Reynolds, M.H., Courtot, K.N., Berkowitz, P., Storlazzi, C.D., Moore, J. & Flint, E. 2015.  Will the effects of sea-level rise create ecological traps for Pacific island seabirds?  PloS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136773.

Reynolds, M.H., Courtot, K.N., Krause, C.M., Seavy, N.E., Hartzell, P. & Hatfield, J.S. 2013 (2016).  Dynamics of seabird colonies vulnerable to sea-level rise at French Frigate Shoals, Hawai`i.  Technical Report HCSU-037.  Hilo: Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit.  32 pp

Storlazzi, C.D., Berkowitz, P.,Reynolds, M.H. & Logan, J.B. 2013.  Forecasting the Impact of Storm Waves and Sea-level Rise on Midway Atoll and Laysan Island within the Papahānaumokuākea  Marine National Monument - a Comparison of Passive versus Dynamic Inundation Models.  U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1069.  78 pp.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 March 2016