--- title: "2011 News Archive" --- # 2011 News Archive ## Shearwaters, a new working group and a meeting in Peru next year: the ACAP Advisory Committee closes a successful meeting in Guayaquil, Ecuador The Sixth Meeting of ACAP's Committee (AC6) closed yesterday evening with a vote of thanks extended to the Government of Ecuador for acting as hosts. The general consensus among attending delegates and observers was that the meeting had been a successful one, with a number of important issues addressed and advanced. Among the decisions made was to amalgamate the Breeding Sites and Status & Trends Working Groups into a new Population and Conservation Status Working Group (PaCSWG) with new Terms of Reference.  Drs Rosemary Gales (Australia) and Richard Phillips (United Kingdom) were appointed Co-convenors of the new working group and Drs Flavio Quintana (Argentina) and Henri Weimerskirch (France) were appointed as Vice-co-convenors. Peru confirmed its agreement to host the Fourth Session of the Meeting of Parties (MoP4) in Lima, Peru next year, to be held during the month of May.  This will be the first time ACAP meets in Peru, as it continues towards holding meetings in a full suite of South American Parties to the Agreement. Following a notice of its intention to nominate the species to MoP4 by Spain, the Advisory Committee confirmed its view that the [Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) was a strong candidate for listing on Annex 1 of the Agreement.  This species breeds only on the Spanish Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.  If listed, as expected, it will be the first shearwater to be included within the Agreement and will bring with it new regions of the World and new range states, and new types of threats for the Advisory Committee and its working groups to consider. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg) Balearic Shearwater.  Photograph by Daniel Oro ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Pink_footed/pink-footed_shearwater_peter_hodum.jpg) Pink-footed Shearwater.  Photograph by Peter Hodum Chile stated its intention at AC6 to work towards a nomination of the [Pink-footed Shearwater *P. creatopus*](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3931) to the Agreement. This Vulnerable species is a trans-equatorial migrant and a Chilean breeding endemic.  Formal nomination would not be expected before MoP5, due to be held in about 2015.  In addition, Ecuador expressed its desire to nominate the [Critically Endangered Galapagos Petrel *Pterodroma phaeopygia*](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3897), which breeds only in its Galapagos Islands.  The Advisory Committee considered that formal nominations to sessions of the Meeting of Parties should be accompanied by both species action plans and draft ACAP Species Assessments.  ACAP offered the resources of its Secretariat to help with the drafting of the latter documents. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/ac6_meeting_john_cooper.jpg) Sixth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee in session The ACAP Secretarial staff, interpreters and staff from Unipark Hotel in Guayaquil were thanked for their support as the meeting closed.  The Advisory Committee thanked the Chair, Dr Marco Favero for his stewardship of the meeting. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/shearwaters-a-new-working-group-and-a-meeting-in-peru-next-year-the-acap-advisory-committee-closes-a-successful-meeting-in-guayaquil-ecuador.md) ## Grey Petrels continue to do well at Macquarie Island following the eradication of feral cats in 2000 The Grey Petrel *Procellaria cinerea* is listed as endangered by the [Tasmanian Threatened Species Act of 1995](http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/tspa1995305/) and is considered to be globally [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3925).  The species breeds on cool-temperate and sub-Antarctic islands during winter.  Macquarie Island is the only known breeding locality in Australia. Grey Petrels were first recorded as breeding on Macquarie in 1900 but an 80-year absence followed and they were therefore considered to be no longer present. However, in 1999 three burrows were found with evidence of recently-fledged chicks. The timing of this discovery coincided with the final stages of the cat-eradication programme, suggesting the recolonization of the island by the species.  The last cat was killed in 2000. Burrowing petrels are vulnerable to introduced mammalian predators, particularly to feral cats *Felis catus* and rats *Rattus* spp..  Shortly after the success of the cat eradication an adult bird was found incubating an egg and breeding activity on the island has continued to increase ever since. The island's three largest colonies are monitored throughout the winter.  2011 has proven to be the most successful year thus far, with 62 chicks in burrows. It is expected that most of these chicks will survive and will fledge from their burrows in October. Macquarie Island's Grey Petrel population is expected to continue to increase as a result of the recent and ongoing efforts by the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=13013) to remove introduced European Rabbits [Oryctolagus cuniculus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbit) and rodents. News edited from "[This Week at Macquarie Island - 02 September 2011](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=48615&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wOS0wMg==)". ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/G/Grey/grey_petrel_gough_by_kalinka_rexer_huber.jpg "Grey Petrel in its burrow. Photograph by Kalinka Rexer_huber") In contrast, Grey Petrels remain rare at South Africa's now cat-free Marion Island (but they may possibly have always been rare there). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 September 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/grey-petrels-continue-to-do-well-at-macquarie-island-following-the-eradication-of-feral-cats-in-2000.md) ## Two hundred Facebook friends achieved It has taken a little over three months to double the number of Facebook friends of the ACAP web site ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/acap-gets-over-a-hundred-new-friends)).  A look at who they all are reveals a wide geographical spread and clearly includes many people who are impassioned about marine conservation issues.  This is good for increasing awareness of the conservation needs of albatrosses and petrels (one of the aims of the Agreement) as the numbers of hits to stories posted to *ACAP Latest News* has gone up this year. The challenge I've set myself is for the site to attain a 1000 friends over the next 12 months.  So if you use Facebook, consider becoming a friend and also encourage your own friends to join up by sending them the link to the web site. You can click on the Facebook icon on the site's home page to sign up to access news items - and to see who is already a friend. a![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Light_mantled/Light-mantled_Sooty_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/two-hundred-facebook-friends-achieved.md) ## New Action Plan for Australian Birds launched: Grey-headed Albatross moves to Critically Endangered within Australia Normal 0 false false false EN-ZA X-NONE X-NONE [Birds Australia](http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/), [Charles Darwin University](http://www.cdu.edu.au/) and [CSIRO Publishing](http://www.publish.csiro.au/) launched late last month *The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010*. *‘The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010* is the third in a series of action plans that have been produced at the start of each decade.  The book analyses the World Conservation (IUCN) status of all the species and subspecies of Australia's birds, including those of its offshore territories.  For each bird the size and trend in their population and distribution has been analysed using the latest iteration of IUCN Red List Criteria to determine their risk of extinction.  The book also provides an account of all those species and subspecies that are or are likely to be extinct.  Each categorisation is justified on the basis of the latest research, including much unpublished material that has been made available during workshops conducted with leading ornithologists and conservation biologists around the country as well as phone interviews and correspondence.  The result is the most authoritative account yet of the status of Australia's birds." The action plan has been written by Stephen Garnett and Judit Szabo of the Charles Darwin University and Guy Dutson.  [Click here](http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/homepage-news/new-action-plan-for-australian-birds.html) for a review. The new Action Plan lists 27 taxa as nationally Extinct, 20 as Critically Endangered (including the globally [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3964)[http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3964](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3964) Grey-headed Albatross *Thalassarche chrysostoma*), 60 as Endangered, 68 as Vulnerable and 63 as Near Threatened as at 31 December 2010 within Australia. Within the Australian Territory Grey-headed Albatrosses breed only at sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, where the population was 94 annually-breeding pairs in 2007, representing less than 1% of the species' global population ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment with population information). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/G/Grey_headed/Grey-headed Albatross by Rowan Treblico.jpg "Grey-headed Albatross. Photograph by Rowan Treblico") **Reference:** Garnett, S. Szabo, J. & Dutson, G, 2011.  [*The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010*](http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6781.htm).  Collingwood: CSIRO Publishing.  456 pp.  ISBN: 9780643103689. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-action-plan-for-australian-birds-launched-grey-headed-albatross-moves-to-critically-endangered-within-australia.md) ## Avoiding osteodystrophy: hand-reared albatross chicks need their fish bones! [Kerri Morgan](http://ivabs.massey.ac.nz/staff_indiv.asp?id=483) of the [New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University](http://ivabs.massey.ac.nz/), New Zealand and colleagues have looked at the effects of an inadequate artificial diet on two hand-reared Northern Royal Albatrosses *Diomedea sanfordi*, publishing their findings in the [*New Zealand*](http://www.tandfonline.com/action/aboutThisJournal?journalCode=tnzv20)[*Veterinary Journal*](http://www.tandfonline.com/action/aboutThisJournal?journalCode=tnzv20). The paper's abstract follows: CASE HISTORY: In February 2004, two Northern Royal albatross chicks aged 20 and 25 days old were presented for necropsy.  Both chicks had been hand-fed *in situ* at a breeding colony, from 2-3 days post-hatch.  The hand-rearing diet consisted of boneless hoki fillets (*Macraronus novaezelandiae*), electrolytes, and sooty shearwater (*Puffinus griseus*) proventricular oil obtained as a by-product of cultural harvest. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Routine necropsies on the affected chicks revealed many bones were soft and easily bent.  Radiography and histopathology revealed decreased bone density, pathological fractures, and extensive remodelling suggestive of fibrous osteodystrophy. DIAGNOSIS: Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, resulting from an imbalance in the dietary Ca:P ratio. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The imbalance in the dietary Ca:P ratio was a result of feeding deboned and eviscerated fish.  This investigation also highlighted potential health risks associated with the practice of feeding stored rancid proventricular oil, including the destruction of fat-soluble vitamins.  It is therefore possible that oxidative degradation of vitamin D may have contributed to the development of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. Subsequently, dietary recommendations for supplementary feeding of orphaned Northern Royal albatross chicks include the feeding of whole human-grade fish with an appropriate Ca:P ratio, and the exclusion of proventricular oil.  These cases highlight the need for scientific input into wildlife conservation projects, as lack of appropriate nutritional advice resulted in the feeding of a nutritionally inadequate diet.  Following the recommended changes in diet, no further cases of osteodystrophy have been diagnosed in hand-raised chicks in the albatross colony. **Reference:** Morgan, K.J., Alley, M.R., Gartrell, B.D., Thompson, K.G. & Perriman, L. 2011.  Fibrous osteodystrophy in two Northern Royal Albatross chicks (*Diomedea sanfordi*).  [*New Zealand Veterinary Journal* 59: 248-252](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00480169.2011.596265#preview). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/N/Northern_Royal/Northern_Royal_Albatross_500th_chick_by_Lyndon_Perriman.jpg "Northern Royal Albatross breeding at Taiaroa Head. Photograph by Lyndon Perriman ") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/avoiding-osteodystrophy-hand-reared-albatross-chicks-need-their-fish-bones.md) ## Read of attempts to rid seabird islands of aliens in the islandNet Newsletter The latest issue of the *islandNet Newsletter* (No. 7, August 2011) carries a number of interesting stories over 26 pages that deal with the eradication of alien species on seabird islands around the World, including at Australia's sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island and on islands in the South Atlantic where ACAP-listed species of albatrosses and petrels breed. Go to [http://www.feral.org.au/islandnet/newsletter](http://www.feral.org.au/islandnet/newsletter) to read this and earlier issues.  The final newsletter will be due out in February 2012.  If you would like to contribute to it, contact Elaine Murphy ([emurphy@doc.govt.nz](mailto:emurphy@doc.govt.nz)) or Wendy Henderson ([wendy.henderson@invasiveanimals.com](mailto:wendy.henderson@invasiveanimals.com)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_wounded_Rob_Ronconi_by_Peter_Ryan.jpg) Rob Ronconi holds a barely-alive Tristan Albatross chick attacked by House Mice on Gough Island in 2009 Photograph by Peter Ryan *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/read-of-attempts-to-rid-seabird-islands-of-aliens-in-the-islandnet-newsletter.md) ## Mutton bird radiation warning! Not safe to pick up stranded Short-tailed Shearwaters? Normal 0 false false false EN-ZA X-NONE X-NONE An on-line [news article](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-30/20110930-muttonbird-radiation-warning/3193736?section=tas) from ABC News suggests it may be unsafe to pick up Short-tailed *Puffinus tenuirostris* carcasses found stranded on Australia's coastline. This is because they may have picked up a radiation dose (presumably via the food chain) when in their non-breeding quarters in the North Pacific that emanated from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, which allowed radiation to escape following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. "A [Parks and Wildlife] spokeswoman says suggestions of radiation exposure in birds are being further investigated."  But the department says it is not seeking samples and discourages people unfamiliar with wildlife from collecting them.  You have been warned! ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Short_tailed/short_tailed_shearwater_mark_carey.jpg "Short-tailed Shearwater: nuked in the North Pacific? Photograph by Mark Carey") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/component/option,com_search/ordering,/searchphrase,all/searchword,Sooty%20Shearwater/) to read that another "Mutton Bird", the Sooty Shearwater *P.g riseus* is considered safe to eat after testing for pesticides. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/mutton-bird-radiation-warning-not-safe-to-pick-up-stranded-short-tailed-shearwaters.md) ## Colour-banding male giant petrels: how to avoid excessive band wear? Male giant petrels *Macronectes* spp. are hard on their bands, as they scratch and rub then against rocks on boulder beaches while interacting with each other at food sources such as seal carcasses.  In contrast female giant petrels feed mainly at sea and their bands (both metal and colour) continue to look pristine after several years. The demographic study colony of Southern Giant Petrels *M. giganteus* on Gough Island has just entered its second year with 170 occupied nests in the Low Hump colony being staked out in the last two days.  Nearly all the incubating birds identified by culmen measurements as males had badly worn colour bands after only a year.  The level of wear made it difficult to read their codes and it looks likely their bands will start falling off before the third year of the study commences in 2012. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/southern_giant_petrel_a70_john_cooper.jpg) Female Southern Giant Petel: no discernable band wear after one year ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/southern_giant_petrel_worn_band_john_cooper.jpg) Male Southern Giant Petrel: heavy band wear after one year Photographs by John Cooper So, does anyone have any suggestions how to mark male giant petrels so that a long-term study will not require them to be handled every year to read their bands, with many requiring regular rebanding? Suggestions sent to me at [john.cooper61@gmail.com](mailto:john.cooper61@gmail.com) will be collated and posted to this web site. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/sexual-dimorphism-and-band-wear-in-the-northernmost-population-of-southern-giant-petrels) to read an earlier news item on Gough's giant petrels. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/colour-banding-male-giant-petrels-how-to-avoid-excessive-band-wear.md) ## Short-tailed Albatross killed by a fishing boat off the coast of Oregon, USA News of the death of a [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3956) Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* earlier this year comes from the [American Bird Conservancy](http://www.abcbirds.org/index.html): "An endangered Short-tailed Albatross was killed by a longline fishing boat off the coast of Oregon in April 2011, according to a report recently released by the [Pacific Fisheries Management Council](http://www.pcouncil.org/).  This is the first bycatch of a Short-tailed Albatross to be observed in the Pacific Northwest.  The report was prepared by NOAA Fisheries' [Northwest Fisheries Science Center](http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/), and is part of a larger risk assessment report currently in preparation on the effects of West Coast groundfish fisheries on endangered seabirds, fish, mammals, and turtles. As a result of the seabird death, the National Marine Fisheries Service has initiated consultation with the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](http://www.fws.gov/) (FWS) under the Endangered Species Act.  Section 7 of the Act mandates that any federal entity undertaking actions that may impact endangered species must consult with FWS." To read the full story [click here](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/110909.html). With thanks to Jessica Hardesty Norris for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short_tailed_albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Short-tailed Albatross at sea. Photograph by Ales Terauds") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/short-tailed-albatross-killed-by-a-fishing-boat-off-the-coast-of-oregon-usa.md) ## Saving money, saving birds in a win-win situation: not using seabird bycatch deterrents costs Argentinian longline fisheries Patricia Gandini and Estaban Frere (Centro de Investigaciones de Puerto Deseado, [Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral](http://www.unpa.edu.ar/), Argentina) have published on-line in the journal *Bird Conservation International* estimating the cost of not using deterrents to save seabirds in two Argentinian longline fisheries. The paper's abstract follows: "Seabird mortality in longline fisheries is believed to be an important cause of the reductions in many seabird populations worldwide, and results in reduced fishing efficiency and economic losses for fishing companies.  We estimated the economic cost of not using seabird bycatch deterrents in Argentinean longline fisheries, with the intention of encouraging adoption of mitigation measures in those fisheries.  We conducted the study in the Argentine ling *Genypterus blacodes* and Patagonian toothfish *Dissostichus eleginoides* fisheries from 2001 to 2006 on three fishing vessels.  Data on the incidence of seabird bycatch were collected by seabird observers specially trained in seabird identification and data on the catch rates of target species, cost of bait and fish were provided by the fishing company, supervised by Federal Inspectors from the Provincial Fisheries Agency.  To estimate the bait loss, we set lines both with and without the use of deterrents (streamer lines, night setting and strategic discharge of offal) in both fisheries.  Seabird bycatch varies temporally and geographically, so to estimate economic losses using deterrents in each fishery, we used different bycatch rates/1000 hooks registered for different periods and fishing areas.  Bycatch rates in the absence of deterrents were two birds/1000 hooks and 1.53 birds/1000 hooks for the Patagonian toothfish and ling fisheries, respectively.  These rates equate to the loss of more than 1.5 and 2 million dollars over a 10 year period for each fishery.  When estimations are made with lower mortality rates, economic losses declined abruptly and were in the order of hundreds of dollars/fishing trip, for the same period of time.  Results show that using deterrents, long term profits for the fishing company increase at a considerably high rate (the decrease in monetary loss is an order of magnitude), and the mortality of seabirds decreases by the same proportion (CPUE of seabirds decreases from tens of thousands to a few hundred).  In these fisheries, the use of mitigation measures that reduce bait loss and seabird mortality represents a win-win situation with benefits to conservation and fishing companies." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_02_Fig2.jpg) **Reference:** Gandini, P. & Frere, E. 2011. The economic cost of seabird bycatch in Argentinean longline fisheries. *Bird Conservation International*[doi:10.1017/S0959270911000219](http://www.esaim-cocv.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8389400&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0959270911000219). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/saving-money-saving-birds-in-a-win-win-situation-not-using-seabird-bycatch-deterrents-costs-argentinian-longline-fisheries.md) ## Seabird mitigation measures for longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries reviewed. What is best practice? Svein Løkkeborg (Fish Capture Division, [Institute of Marine Research](http://www.imr.no/en), Bergen, Norway) has reviewed seabird mitigation measures in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries, publishing in the journal [*Marine Ecology Progress Series*](http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/) in August this year. The open-access paper's abstract follows: "Growing concerns have been raised about incidental capture of seabirds in various fisheries.  Here, studies testing measures to prevent seabird bycatch in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries are reviewed in order to identify the most efficient mitigation methods.  There is potential for considerable reduction in mortality rates in most longline fisheries because effective measures have been developed.  However, there is no single solution as the efficiency of a measure is specific to each fishery.  In demersal longline fisheries where northern fulmar [*Fulmarus glacialis*] is the dominant seabird captured, streamer lines have been proven to virtually eliminate mortality.  In the fishery for Patagonian toothfish where interactions with albatrosses occur, night setting has resulted in considerable bycatch reductions.  Night setting has also been proven to be efficient in pelagic fisheries, but this measure should be used in combination with streamer lines and weighted longlines in areas inhabited by nocturnal and diving birds.  The main cause of mortality in trawl fisheries is collision with warp and netsonde cables, but studies are fragmentary.  Interactions between cables and seabirds have been shown to be rare at times of no offal discharge, suggesting that a no-discharge policy would virtually eliminate mortality.  Streamer lines have been proven to effectively reduce cable strikes under offal discharge.  Measures to prevent birds from diving into the trawl net meshes have not been tested.  Efficient mitigation methods that maintain target fish catch still have to be identified for gillnet fisheries.  Future research in longline fisheries should fine-tune the most promising measures for each specific fishery.  Effective measures identified for trawl fisheries need to be expanded to and tested in other areas where seabird interactions occur." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/trawl_bba_neil_anders.jpg "Trawler being followed by Black-browed Albatrosses. Photograph by Neil Anders ") **Reference:** Løkkeborg, S. 2011.  Best practices to mitigate seabird bycatch in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries - efficiency and practical applicability.  [*Marine Ecology Progress Series* 435: 285-303](http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m435p285.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/seabird-mitigation-measures-for-longline-trawl-and-gillnet-fisheries-reviewed-what-is-best-practice.md) ## Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to discuss seabird bycatch and mitigation measures this month in the Maldives The [Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch](http://www.iotc.org/English/meetings/wp/wpbycurrent.php) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org)) will meet this month from the 24th to the 27th in Lankanfinolhu, North Malé Atoll, Republic of Maldives ([click here](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-01a.pdf) for the draft agenda). Discussions will include reviewing new information on the status of seabirds, new National Plans of Action for Reducing Incidental Catches of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries, research on interactions between seabirds and tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean, identification sheets for observers, and reviewing previous IOTC Resolutions and Recommendations on seabirds.  The WPEB will then develop recommendations for the IOTC's Scientific Committee. Documents to be discussed at the meeting include: ACAP 2011.   Review of seabird bycatch mitigation measures for pelagic longline fisheries.  [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-43](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-43.pdf).  14 pp. ACAP 2011.  Summary best practice advice for reducing the impact of pelagic longline gear on seabirds.   [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-44](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-44.pdf).  4 pp. Løkkeborg, S. 2011.  Best practices to mitigate seabird bycatch in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries - efficiency and practical applicability.  *Marine Ecology Progress Series*435: 285-303.  [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF11](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF11.pdf). Hsiang-Wen Huang 2011.  Bycatch of high sea longline fisheries and measures taken by Taiwan: actions and challenges.  *Marine Policy* 35: 712-720.  [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF12](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF12.pdf). Ahi Enterprises 2011.  Smart Tuna Hook.  [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF13](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF13.pdf).  4 pp. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_06_Fig2.jpg) It is expected that the ACAP Secreatariat will be represented at the meeting by its Technical Advisor, Barry Baker. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/indian-ocean-tuna-commission-to-discuss-seabird-bycatch-and-mitigation-measures-this-month-in-the-maldives.md) ## Pollutants in North Pacific albatrosses from the Hawaiian USA and Mexico Suhash Harwani, [Department of Toxic Substances Control](http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/), California Environmental Protection Agency, Berkeley, California, USA and colleagues writing on-line in the journal [*Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry*](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1552-8618) have looked at pollutant levels in two species of North Pacific albatrosses. The paper's abstract follows: "Here we report the first measurements of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE-47, -99, and -153) alongside 11 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 28 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the plasma of albatross from breeding colonies distributed across a large spatial east-west gradient in the North Pacific Ocean.  North Pacific albatross are wide-ranging, top-level consumers that forage in pelagic regions of the North Pacific Ocean, making them an ideal sentinel species for detection and distribution of marine contaminants.  Our work on contaminant burdens in albatross tissue provides information on transport of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the remote North Pacific and serves as a proxy for regional environmental quality.  We sampled Black-footed (*Phoebastria nigripes*; *n* = 20) and Laysan albatross (*Phoebastria immutabilis*; *n* = 19) nesting on Tern Island, Hawaii, USA, and Laysan albatross (*n* = 16) nesting on Guadalupe Island, Mexico.  Our results indicate that North Pacific albatross are highly exposed to both PCBs and OCPs with levels ranging from 8.8 to 86.9 ng/ml wet weight and 7.4 to 162.3 ng/ml wet weight, respectively.  A strong significant gradient between Laysan albatross breeding in the Eastern Pacific having approximately 1.5 fold and 2.5 fold higher levels for PCBs and OCPs, respectively, compared to those from the Central Pacific.  Interspecies levels of contaminants within the same breeding site also showed high variation with Tern Black-footed albatross having approximately three fold higher levels of both PCBs and OCPs than Tern Laysan albatross.  Surprisingly, while PBDEs are known to travel long distances and bioaccumulate in wildlife of high trophic status, we detected these three PBDE congeners only at trace levels ranging from not detectable (ND) to 0.74 ng/ml wet weight in these albatross." **Reference:** Suhash Harwani, S. Henry, R.W., Rhee, A., Kappes, M.A., Croll, D.A., Petreas, M.  & Park, J.-S. 2011.  Legacy and contemporary persistent organic pollutants in North Pacific albatross.  *Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry*. [DOI: 10.1002/etc.664](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.664/abstract). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatrosses_midway_lindsay_young.jpg "North Pacific albatrosses: at risk to pollutants? Photograph by Lindsay Young") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pollutants-in-north-pacific-albatrosses-from-the-hawaiian-usa-and-mexico.md) ## Sexual segregation: female albatrosses and petrels in the Southern Ocean feed to the north of males Richard Phillips ([British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/)) and colleagues writing in the Journal [*Marine Biology*](http://www.springer.com/environment/aquatic+sciences/journal/227) have looked at differences in diet and distribution of female and male albatrosses and petrels. The paper's abstract follows: "Considerable attention has focused on inter- and intraspecific variation in trophic niches of marine predators.  Although this has revealed evidence for sexual segregation in distribution in some species, few studies have been able to address sex-related dietary specialisation.  Stable isotope analysis of blood cells collected from albatrosses and petrels at South Georgia during chick-rearing indicated a difference in *_*13C, suggesting that females fed to the north of males, only in two species with male-biased sexual size dimorphism; in no species did sexes differ in trophic level (*_*15N).  Based on a wider review, significant differences between sexes in isotope signatures were much more common in seabirds during the pre-laying or breeding than the nonbreeding period, presumably reflecting greater between sex partitioning of resources when foraging ranges are more constrained and competition is greater.  Sex differences, or their absence, were usually consistent across successive stages during the pre-laying and breeding periods, but not necessarily year-round nor between populations.  Significant differences in isotope signatures between males and females were extremely rare in monomorphic species, suggesting a link between sexual size dimorphism and segregation in diet or distribution.  Among the Southern Ocean albatrosses, sex differences in *_*13C suggested the underlying mechanism was related to habitat specialisation, whereas in other size-dimorphic taxa (both male- and female-biased), sex differences were more common in *_*15N than *_*13C and therefore more consistent with size-mediated competitive exclusion or dietary specialisation." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Wandering Albatross and chick. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **Reference:** Phillips, R.A., McGill, R.A.R., Dawson, D.A. & Bearhop, S.  2011.  Sexual segregation in distribution, diet and trophic level of seabirds: insights from stable isotope analysis.  [*Marine Biology* 158: 2199-2208](http://www.springerlink.com/content/6xn7818205881361/). J*ohn Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/sexual-segregation-female-albatrosses-and-petrels-in-the-southern-ocean-feed-to-the-north-of-males.md) ## Are they doing OK or not? Modelling the effects of fishing on southern Buller's Albatrosses Writing in the [*New Zealand Journal of Zoology*](http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/TNZZ) R.I.C.C. Francis and Paul Sagar ([National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research](http://www.niwa.co.nz/), New Zealand) have looked at the effects of fishing on the [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30006) Buller's Albatross *Thalassarche bulleri*, endemic to New Zealand. The paper's abstract follows: Many albatross populations are declining and a major cause is believed to be incidental mortality from fishing.  We investigated the effect of fishing on southern Buller's albatross *Thalassarche bulleri bulleri*, using a new approach to seabird population modelling that allows estimation of demographic parameters from multiple data types.  Three types of data were used: a 60-year set of mark*recapture observations, four censuses of the breeding population, and estimates of fishing effort and bycatch.  The fisheries risk to the viability of this population over the last 60 years appears to have been small, since the adult population is estimated to have increased about five-fold over that time.  There is some cause for concern in recent changes (population growth has slowed, and perhaps reversed, and adult survival rates are falling).  The most common age at first breeding was 12 years, and about 80% of adults breed each year.  Annual survival was estimated to be 0.91 for juveniles, and varied between this value and 1 for adults.  Though this population is not in immediate danger from fishing, there is a need for continued monitoring to see whether the recent fall in survival rates persists and causes a decline in abundance.  Our analysis showed that when, as is common, mark*recapture data do not provide good estimates of all demographic rates, the assessment of seabird population trends can be improved by the use of other types of data, particularly abundance. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Bullers/bullers_albatross_postage_stamp.jpg) **Reference:** Francis, R.I.C.C. & Sagar, P. 2011. Modelling the effect of fishing on southern Buller's Albatross using a 60-year dataset.  *New Zealand Journal of Zoology* [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2011.600766](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03014223.2011.600766). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/are-they-doing-ok-or-not-modelling-the-effects-of-fishing-on-southern-bullers-albatrosses.md) ## Three ACAP-listed species studied: annual Gough Island Expedition returns to Cape Town After another successful management/research expedition to Gough Island in the South Atlantic, the combined Royal Society for the Protection of Birds/FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town team returns to Cape Town, South Africa this week. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/monitoring-acap-species-annual-south-africanunited-kingdom-expedition-leaves-for-gough-island) for more details of the expedition. Research goals for three ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels on the island were all successfully achieved: 1.       A complete-island count was made of large chicks of the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tristan-albatrosses-on-gough-are-still-breeding-poorly)). 2.      All Tristan Albatross chicks in the three long-term demographic study areas, Gonydale, Hummocks and Tafelkop, were banded before they go "walk-about" and get too far from their marker poles placed earlier at their original nests.  This study is now in its sixth year, although chicks have been banded annually in two of the study areas since the early 1980s, meaning that many of the currently breeding adults are of known age. 3.      Four- to five-daily checks were undertaken in the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* study site above Transvaal Bay, recording the colour codes of birds as they lay their eggs.  This study is now about to enter its fourth decade, having been started in the early 1980s. 4.      For the second year the newly-established demographic study site of Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* at the Low Hump colony was visited.  A five-hour strenuous hike uo and over the island's mountains from the meteorological station requires overnight camping to allow for sufficient time on site.  Most partners of 170 pairs of incubating birds were recorded over three visits.  The first eggs had started to hatch by 2 October during the last visit. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_colony_Gough_Island_by_John_Cooper.jpg) The Low Hump Southern Giant Petrel colony in 2010 Photograph by John Cooper Two members of the expedition have remained on Gough to continue monitoring of these three species over a full year.  They are Karen Bourgeois and Silvain Dromzee from France.  They will also continue efforts to eradicate the introduced weed, Procumbent Pearlwort *Sagina procumbens*.in Transvaal Bay. Research on ACAP-listed species on Gough Island is conducted jointly by the [FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town and the [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds](http://www.rspb.org.uk/) in the UK, with support from the UK's [Overseas Territories Environment Programme](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/) and with the approval of the Tristan Conservation Department. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/three-acap-listed-species-studied-annual-gough-island-expedition-returns-to-cape-town.md) ## Calamari for dinner? Albatrosses help reveal cephalopod fauna and its trophic relationships in Kerguelen waters In a paper on the cephalopod fauna found around the French Kerguelen Islands in the southern Indian Ocean Yves Cherel ([Centre d'Études biologiques de Chizé](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/), France[http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/)) and colleagues record two new prey taxa taken by Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* when rearing chicks on that island: *"Histioteuthis atlantica*(Hoyle, 1885) and *Taonius*sp. B (Voss), whose buccal masses were found in food samples of wandering albatrosses." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Wanderting Albatross and chick. Photograph by John Cooper") **Reference:** Cherel, Y., Gasco, N. & Duhamel, G. 2011.  Top predators and stable isotopes document the cephalopod fauna and its trophic relationships in Kerguelen waters.  In: Duhamel, G. & Welsford, D. (Eds).  *The Kerguelen Plateau: marine ecosystem and fisheries*.  [*S**ociété Française d'Ichtyologie**, Paris*: 99-108](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/publipdf/2011/CSFI_2011.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/calamari-for-dinner-albatrosses-help-reveal-cephalopod-fauna-and-its-trophic-relationships-in-kerguelen-waters.md) ## Less than 30 introduced rabbits thought to be left on Australia's sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island According to a recent [on-line article](http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/to-the-end-of-the-world/story-e6frg6z6-1226134903929) in *The Australian*, less than 30 introduced European Rabbits *Oryctolagus cuniculus* are thought to remain on Macquarie Island, scene of a major pest-eradication exercise this year. Rabbits, introduced to ‘Macca' in about 1877 as a food source for sealers, had increased before the eradication programme to an estimated 100 000 - 150 000. The article, along with a four-minute video clip, gives a good idea of what hunting the remaining rabbits with specially-trained dogs is like.  Twelve specially trained hunting dogs and 14 human hunters, six of whom double as dog-handlers, have divided the island into six hunting sections.  Each block is patrolled two hunters, one of whom is also a dog handler with one or two dogs.  "Their task will be to search their block for any sign of rabbits and deal with those that they find.  Once we find them, we can trap, we can fumigate burrows, we can use firearms and we can use other poisons - small-scale, localised poisoning targeting specific rabbits." Good news is that there are still no reports of rats or mice following the poison-bait drop this winter. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/macquarie-island-alien-mammal-eradication-programme-going-well-nearly-two-thirds-of-the-island-baited) to read earlier reports of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Program in *ACAP Latest News*.  See also ["This Week at Macquarie"](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/2011/this-week-at-macquarie-island-23-september-2011)which has the news that so far five rabbits have been killed since the bait drop. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/macquarie-vegetarion_recovery_justine_shaw_by_aleks_terauds.jpg) Justine Shaw on Macquarie Island Photograph by Aleks Terauds With thanks to Ian Hay for information *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/less-than-30-introduced-rabbits-thought-to-be-left-on-australias-sub-antarctic-macquarie-island.md) ## Convention on Migratory Species to consider draft resolutions on marine debris and gill netting at its 10th Conference of Parties in November The Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) will hold its 10th Meeting of the Conference of Parties ([COP10](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/documents_overview.htm)) in Bergen, Norway over 20-25 November this year. Two draft resolutions to be discussed at the meeting are of interest as they have the potential to improve the conservation status of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels.  There are on [marine debris](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/res10_04_marine_debris_e.pdf ) and [bycatch of CMS-listed species in gillnet fisheries](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/res10_14_bycatch_gillnet_e.pdf).[http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/res10_14_bycatch_gillnet_e.pdf](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/res10_14_bycatch_gillnet_e.pdf) ACAP's [report](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/docs_and_inf_docs/inf_18_06_acap_e.pdf) to the 10th COP of the CMS covering the period 2008-2011 states that the "[t]he key objectives for reporting on the implementation of the Agreement are to: (1) provide information regarding the assessment of progress towards the objectives of the Agreement; (2) gather information on lessons learned, including successes and failures, in order to conduct albatross and petrel conservation in the most efficient and effective manner; (3) identify further research to be carried out; and (4) provide a resource of material on albatross and petrel conservation." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_colony.jpg) Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses of the North Pacific are at particular risk to ingested marine debris such as coloured cigaratte lighters *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/convention-on-migratory-species-to-consider-draft-resolutions-on-marine-debris-and-gill-netting-at-its-10th-conference-of-parties-in-november.md) ## Just how long does a demographic study need to go on? The case of Gibson's Albatross Peter Dillingham and colleagues in New Zealand, publishing on-line in the [*Journal of Ornithology*](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336), have looked at how long demographic studies of long-lived procellariiform seabirds may need to continue to obtain valid information on age of first breeding, utilizing information from a study of Gibson's Albatrosses *Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni*. The paper's abstract follows: "The age at first breeding is an important demographic parameter in determining maximum growth rate, population size and generation time and is a key parameter in calculating the potential biological removal of birds.  Albatrosses and petrels do not begin breeding for many years, with some first breeding in their teens.  This means that even long-term studies of birds banded as chicks may not last long enough to observe the entire process of recruitment to breeding.  Estimates based only on observed data (the naive estimate) may be biased by imperfect observation, emigration, and study duration.  Instead, modelling approaches should be used to estimate the mean age at first breeding, but these must be used carefully.  Here, we show the large negative bias that may be caused by limited study duration and emigration when the naive estimate is used.  Capture-mark-recapture methods combined with additional assumptions about emigration can alleviate the bias, provided that an appropriate model is used.  Using these methods, we analysed data collected between 1991 and 2006 on 1,246 Gibson's albatrosses (*Diomedea gibsoni*) banded as chicks (mostly banded from 1995 onwards) and 1,258 birds banded as adults.  While 402 birds banded as chicks were observed returning to the study area, only 42 were observed breeding.  With limited data, model-based approaches must be used, and assumptions about recruitment to breeding play an additional role in the estimate of the age at first breeding.  In particular, the function chosen for recruitment to breeding for older age classes cannot be compared to data.  Three recruitment functions are compared to show the large sensitivity of the estimated mean age at first breeding to the assumed functional form." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Antipodean/antipodean_albatross_albatross_encounter.jpg "Colour-banded Antipodean Albatross: part of a long-term study. Photograph by Albatross Encounter") **Reference:** Dillingham P.W., Elliott[http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Graeme+P.+Elliott](http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Graeme+P.+Elliott), G.P., Walker[http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Kath+J.+Walker](http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Kath+J.+Walker), K.J. & Fletcher, D. 2011. Adjusting age at first breeding of albatrosses and petrels for emigration and study duration[http://www.springerlink.com/content/c02777413k714373/](http://www.springerlink.com/content/c02777413k714373/).  *Journal of Ornithology* [DOI: 10.1007/s10336-011-0729-7](http://www.springerlink.com/content/0021-8375/?Content+Status=Accepted&sort=p_OnlineDate&sortorder=desc&o=20). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/just-how-long-does-a-demographic-study-need-to-go-on-the-case-of-gibsons-albatross.md) ## The lone Tristan Albatross pair on Inaccessible Island is successfully raising its chick The [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross or Gony *Diomedea dabbenena* is endemic to the Tristan da Cunha island group in the South Atlantic, where it breeds on Gough and Inaccessible Islands, which together form a World Heritage Site. Practically the whole species' population breeds on Gough, where its chicks are at risk to attacks by the introduced House Mice *Mus musculus*.  A tiny remnant continues to breed on rodent-free Inaccessible, with just one pair discovered incubating on Gony Ridge on the island's plateau earlier this year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross-still-breeds-on-inaccessible-island)).  In September/October a three-week expedition to Inaccessible led by Peter Ryan from the [Percy FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town, confirmed that the egg had hatched.  The chick (the first reported since 1999) is expected to fledge in the next month or so.  At the request of Trevor Glass, Tristan Conservation Department, the chick was metal-banded on 3 October. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_albatross_chick_inacessible_2011_peterryan.jpg) Inaccessible's lone Gony chick stretches its wings on Gony Ridge. The main island of Tristan da Cunha lies on the horizon. Photograph by Peter Ryan In the 1870s, Inaccessible held a stated 200 annually breeding pairs of Tristan Albatrosses, but the island's population is thought to have been brought to the edge of extinction by feral domestic pigs *Sus scrofa*, now eradicated.  Whether the population will ever recover is moot, but the successful eradication of Gough's mice might one day lead to sufficient recruitment between the islands to keep the Inaccessible population alive. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer and Peter Ryan, Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, 14 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-lone-tristan-albatross-pair-on-inaccessible-island-is-successfully-raising-its-chick.md) ## Final report of ACAP's joint Breeding Sites and Status & Trends Working Group meeting available The final report of the joint Breeding Sites Working Group and Status & Trends Working Group meeting (AC6 Doc 11 Rev 4), held in Guayaquil, Ecuador in August this year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/acaps-status-and-trends-and-breeding-sites-working-groups-commence-their-first-joint-meeting-in-guayaquil-ecuador-this-week)),  is now available on this website at [http://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents). At the Sixth ACAP Advisory Committee meeting that followed directly afterwards it was agreed that the two working groups will be combined into a single body, to be known as the Population and Conservation Status Working Group (PaCSWG). Terms of Reference for the new working group were adopted at the Advisory Committee meeting. Drs Rosemary Gales (Australia) and Richard Phillips (United Kingdom) were appointed Co-convenors of the new working group and Drs Flavio Quintana (Argentina) and Henri Weimerskirch (France) were appointed as Vice Co-convenors. The new group is due to hold its first meeting in 2013. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/bswg_stwg_2011_barry_baker.jpg) Henri Weimerskirch, Richard Phillips, Rosemary Gales and Wieslawa Misiak at the joint meeting in Ecuador *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/final-report-of-acaps-joint-breeding-sites-and-status-a-trends-working-group-meeting-available.md) ## Convention on Migratory Species reviews bycatch in gill net fisheries: Short-tailed and Waved Albatrosses at high risk The Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) will hold its 10th Meeting of the Conference of Parties ([COP10](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/documents_overview.htm)) in Bergen, Norway over 20-25 November this year.  At the meeting a review of the impacts of gill-netting on CMS-listed species will be considered. The 148-page review identifies ACAP-listed Short-tailed *Phoebastria albatrus* and Waved *P. irrorata* Albatrosses and the Balearic Shearwater*Puffinus mauretanicus* (an ACAP candidate) as high-risk species. The review's executive summary follows: "A study was conducted to assess the impacts of gillnet fishing on species listed by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS species).  Concerns about the impact of incidental mortality in gillnet fishing has been expressed for marine mammals, turtles, seabirds and sharks. Such long-livedand/or top-predator populations have life-history traits that make them inherently vulnerable to additive adult mortality, with population decreases possible with additional fisheries mortality.  The review of fishery information concluded that gill net fisheries are too poorly documented to enable analyses of fishery activity or characterization of the fishing fleets using gill net methods into discrete fishery units.  Rather the research used summary gill net data at a universal level.  This approach may lead biases in the analysis of impacts of gill net fishing on non-target CMS species, sharks, turtles, marine mammals and seabirds.  Using information about species and gill net fishing distribution, the analysis examined therelative exposure of species to gillnet activity.  The information was then weighted by a factor to take into account the vulnerability of populations to extinction (IUCN weighted exposure).  Species most exposed to gill net fishing came from all species groups listed under the CMS Areas of high diversity (CMS species) were west coast of South America, west coast of Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to Algeria, The Red Sea / Persian Gulf to Arabian Gulf, New Zealand / Tasman Sea, and the Aegean Sea.  The twenty Exclusive Economic Zones of 237 areas, in which the greatest exposure to fishing risk occurs for CMS listed species (weighted by IUCN rank) were: Myanmar, Vietnam, Peru, India, Russia (Pacific), Chile, South Africa, China, Namibia, Greece, Galapagos, Bangladesh, Japan (Main Islands), Western Indonesia, Eastern Indonesia, Norway, Mauritania, United Kingdom, Algeria and Morocco. The forty species most exposed to risk from gillnet fishing, when weighted by IUCN rank, by taxon group were: Seabirds - African Penguin, Peruvian Diving-petrel, Japanese Murrelet, Darkrumped Petrel,Waved Albatross, Socotra Cormorant, Humboldt Penguin, Balearic Shearwater, Pink-footedShearwater, Audouin's Gull, Short-tailed Albatross. Cetaceans & Sirenians - Finless Porpoise, Irrawaddy Dolphin, Dugong, North Pacific Right Whale, Atlantic Hump-backed Dolphin, Northern Right Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin,Heaviside's Dolphin, Fin Whale, Sei Whale, Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin, Blue Whale, Burmeister Porpoise, Baird's Beaked Whale, Omura Whale. Seals and Sea Otters - Mediterranean Monk Seal, Marine Otter, Southern River Otter. Sea Turtles - Hawskbill Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Turtle, Leatherback Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle. Sharks - Basking Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Porbeagle Shark, Whale Shark, Great WhiteShark. The main recommendation of the research in relation to mitigation was that fishery- and species-specificsolutions need to be examined and prioritized.  The study provides some guidance as to which areas and which species interactions are most likely to benefit from further monitoring andmanagement.  No single mitigation method was found to be effective at reducing bycatch of CMS species across taxon groups.  Area and seasonal closures may come near to resolving all species issues, but are unlikely to be a feasible option to implement, given the high reliance of communities on fish from gill net fishing as a food source.  Research to define specific points of interaction between CMS species and particular fisheries is urgently needed.  There is a strong need for improved observer data, better records of bycaught species with a particular focus in the areas of high overlap of at-risk species and a high density of fishing effort.  The next step is for further, finer-scaled research to address bycatch issues in those areas, and for data to assess population and behavioural factors for the species identified as highest risk in this analysis." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_Albatross_Isla_Espanola_by_Ron_LeValley.jpg "Waved Albatross: at risk to gill-netting. Photograph by Ron LeValley") To access the draft resolution on gill-netting to be considered at the 10th COP, [click here](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/res10_14_bycatch_gillnet_e.pdf). Visit an earlier [ACAP news item](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/convention-on-migratory-species-to-consider-draft-resolutions-on-marine-debris-and-gill-netting-at-its-10th-conference-of-parties-in-november) on the CMS meeting in relation to the conservation of albatrosses and petrels. **Reference:** Waugh, S.M., Filippi, D.P., Blyth, R. & Filippi, P.F. 2011.  *Report to the Convention on Migratory Species Assessment of Bycatch in Gill Net Fisheries 30 September 2011*.  Wellington: Sextant Technology.  146 pp.  [UNEP/CMS/Inf.10.30](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/docs_and_inf_docs/inf_30_gillnet_bycatch.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information \0fficer, 18 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/convention-on-migratory-species-reviews-bycatch-in-gill-net-fisheries-short-tailed-and-waved-albatrosses-at-high-risk.md) ## Antarctica's Ross Sea may become a Marine Protected Area The Ross Sea is regarded as one of the very few substantially unaltered large (650 000 km²) marine ecosystems left in the World.  For some time suggestions have been made by scientists and advocacy groups (such as [The Last Ocean Charitable Trust](http://www.lastocean.co.nz/)) for its improved protection.  The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources ([CCAMLR](http://www.ccamlr.org/)), is set to consider the issue at its annual meeting in Hobart, Australia next month, following a proposal for a Marine Protected Area being led by New Zealand (which also has had fishing vessels for Antarctic Toothfish *Dissostichus mawsoni*in the area since 1996/97). The Ross Sea supports several species of ACAP-listed species in their foraging ranges, notably the Black-browed *Thalassarche melanophris* and Light-mantled Sooty *Phoebetria palpebrata* Albatrosses and the Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*. You can read more on this contentious proposal at [http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/5768227/NZ-to-veto-total-protection-of-Ross-Sea](http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/5768227/NZ-to-veto-total-protection-of-Ross-Sea). For a preservationist view recently expressed by a distinguished Antarctic and sub-Antarctic scientist go to [http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2011/09/09/ross-sea-should-nz-seek-protection-for-the-last-ocean/](http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2011/09/09/ross-sea-should-nz-seek-protection-for-the-last-ocean/).  Also [Click here](http://www.asoc.org/storage/documents/Meetings/ATCM/XXXIV/The_Ross_Sea-__A_Valuable_Reference_Area_to_Assess_the_Effects_of_Climate_Change.pdf) for a paper entitled "The Ross Sea: a valuable reference area to assess the effects of climate change" submitted by the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition ([ASOC](http://asoc.org/issues-and-advocacy/ross-sea-preservation)[)](http://asoc.org/issues-and-advocacy/ross-sea-preservation) to this year's Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Light_mantled/Light-mantled_albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses visit the Ross Sea. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **Selected publications on the avifauna and conservation of the Ross Sea:** Ainley, D.G. 2002. The Ross Sea: where all ecosystem processes still remain for study, but maybe not for long.  [*Marine Ornithology*30: 55-62](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/30_2/1_ainley.pdf). Ainley, D.G. 2010.  A history of the exploitation of the Ross Sea, Antarctica.  [*Polar Record*46: 233-243](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7716280). Ainley, D.G., O'Connor, E.F. & Boekelheide, R.J. 1984.  The marine ecology of birds in the Ross Sea, Antarctica.  *Ornithological Monographs* 32: 1-97.  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 October 2011* * * [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/antarcticas-ross-sea-may-become-a-marine-protected-area.md) ## Japanese tsunami debris spotted at sea heading for albatross islands, where clean-ups are underway This year's Japanese tsunami killed many tens of thousands of Black-browed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis* Albatross chicks on the low-lying islands of the North Pacific ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds)).  However, a more insidious threat from the tsunami still exists from the debris it washed into the North Pacific Ocean. The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's International Pacific Research Center ([IPRC](http://iprc.soest.hawaii.edu/index.php)[)](http://iprc.soest.hawaii.edu/index.php) has been modelling the likely route of this massive pulse of debris ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/floating-debris-washed-out-to-sea-from-the-japanese-tsunami-is-expected-to-reach-hawaiis-albatross-islands-next-year)).  Its findings were sent to the Russian sail training ship *Pallada*, which crossed from Hawaii to Vladivostok late last month, when it discovered an extended field of tsunami-caused debris over a period of several days after passing by Midway Atoll. "We keep sighting everyday things like wooden boards, plastic bottles, buoys from fishing nets (small and big ones), an object resembling wash basin, drums, boots, other wastes.  The ship came across a Japanese fishing boat bearing inscriptions it came from Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, which suffered severe damage from the tsunami. The boat was brought on board the *Pallada*. The debris was within the debris field predicted by the computer models".  Fortunately, tests for radiation from the damaged Japanese nuclear plant did not reveal raised levels ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/mutton-bird-radiation-warning-not-safe-to-pick-up-stranded-short-tailed-shearwaters) for a report on possible radiation in shearwaters). The IPRC researchers believe the debris may hit Midway Atoll and other parts of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands this [northern] winter, and could reach the main Hawaiian Islands later and eventually the North American West Coast.  [Click here](http://manoa.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=4733) for more information and pictures. Meanwhile on Kure Atoll a team has been working at removing washed-up tsunami marine debris from the albatross breeding colony:  "There was a large strand line of mooring balls, bottles, buckets, and fishing debris in the back of the nesting area. The objects can blow around during storms and kill chicks and native plants. We are also removing tree branches and some non-native trees (heliotropes) out of the east colony. Tree branches snag flying albatross out of the sky. Some birds hang in the trees for days before they die. Branches on the ground are obstacles for albatross to walk around and landing in a pile of branches can be fatal if the bird breaks a leg or wing." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_colony.jpg)  A mixed colony of Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses With thanks to Cynthia Vanderlip and Lindsay Young for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/japanese-tsunami-debris-spotted-at-sea-heading-for-albatross-islands-where-clean-ups-are-underway.md) ## SCAR Open Science Conference to be held in Portland, USA in July 2012 The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research ([SCAR](http://www.scar.org/)) Open Science Conference "Antarctic Science and Policy Advice in a Changing World" will be held in Portland, Oregon, USA during 16-19 July 2012 ([click here](http://scar2012.geol.pdx.edu/)). The SCAR Open Science Conference will focus on SCAR's dual role of science and advice to policy makers.  The first time slots of the last three days will be held in plenary, with a focus on overarching themes that should be of interest to the majority of attendees.  These three themes are: Antarctic Conservation Challenges in a Century of Change Past, Present and Future Climate Evolution Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica Abstract submission is now available, and will close in February 2012.  The International Scientific Organizing Committee proposes no less than 46 sessions spanning the range of disciplines represented in Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research.  Session themes of relevance to the Albatross and Petrel Agreement include: Birds and Marine Mammals; Conservation and the Protection of Antarctica: The Marine System; Conservation and the Protection of Antarctica: The Terrestrial System; and Antarctica and the Southern Ocean: Future Management Challenges. You can contact the Local Organizing Committee if you are interested in organizing a workshop, focus group, or other themed meeting in conjunction with SCAR 2012.  .  The [SCAR Local Organizing Committee](http://scar2012.geol.pdx.edu/) together with the [Association of Polar](http://www.apecs.is/) [Early Career Scientists](http://www.apecs.is/) plan a variety of opportunities for early career scientists, from travel grants to workshops, and social functions.  The first 200 students who submit and have an abstract accepted for the Open Science Conference will pay no registration fee. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Disappointment_Island_by_Barry_Baker.jpg) Within the SCAR area of interest: Disappointment Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand Photograph by Barry Baker The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research is an inter-disciplinary body of the International Council for Science (ICSU).  SCAR is charged with initiating, developing and coordinating high-quality international scientific research in the Antarctic and providing independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System.  Its area of interest includes all of the sub-Antarctic and some of the southern cool-temperate islands. *John Cooper ACAP Information Officer, 22 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/scar-open-science-conference-to-be-held-in-portland-usa-in-july-2012.md) ## Turn left after the Straits of Gibraltar: post-fledging migration of Cory's Shearwaters from Malta André Raine and colleagues, writing on-line in the journal *[Ringing & Migration](http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tram20)*, have tracked Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea* (a potential ACAP candidate species) after fledging from Malta. The paper's abstract follows: "Three juvenile Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea diomedea* were fitted with back-mounted satellite tags and tracked during post-fledging migration. The birds spent several weeks in the central Mediterranean before migrating westwards. Two tags stopped transmitting after 21 and 35 days; the third bird passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and along the West African coast until transmitting ceased after day 43, by which time it was 114.6 km off the coast and 4,390 km from Malta. Cory's Shearwaters from other Mediterranean islands winter further south in equatorial waters, in the eastern South Atlantic or in the northeast tropical Atlantic associated with the Canary current, and further research is needed to define the wintering areas of Maltese Cory's Shearwaters." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater at sea off Africa. Photograph by John Graham") **Reference:** Raine, A., Borg, J.J. & Raine, H. 2011. First description of post-fledging migration of Maltese Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea diomedea. Ringing & Migration*[DOI:10.1080/03078698.2011.587241](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03078698.2011.587241). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/turn-left-after-the-straits-of-gibraltar-post-fledging-migration-of-corys-shearwaters-from-malta.md) ## Do deep-water squid eaten by albatrosses come from tuna stomachs discarded by long-liners? Teodoro Vaske Júnior (Laboratório de Elasmobrânquios, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Vicente, Brazil) writing on-line earlier this year in the open-access journal *[Biota Neotropica](http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v11n4/en/about) *concludes that the squid portion of the diet of at least 13 species of albatrosses is enhanced anthropogenically by tuna fisheries, concluding: "As a conclusive remark, it is suggested that cephalopods acquired more importance as a food item of seabirds since the beginning of longliners operations, especially concerned with deep water species that are incorrectly reported as a natural prey item of seabirds, mainly albatrosses." The paper's abstract follows: "An analysis of published data on oceanic seabirds diets, show the predominance of muscular cephalopods with superficial distribution in the oceanic layers, but also important are the gelatinous and ammoniacal species restrict to layers below 300 m from the surface. In principle, it could be not expected that deep-sea cephalopods are common prey for seabirds like several authors have been concluded. It is proposed in this study that an indirect source, important and easily attainable, have been appeared with the beginning of tuna longline operations. The habit to feed upon viscera of the fishes captured by tuna longliners, that discard the gut contents to the water, may explain the probable equivocal conclusions that deep dwelling cephalopods are natural prey of oceanic seabirds." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_John_Cooper.jpg) Wandering Albatross on Marion Island: is its squid diet enhanced by longliners? Photograph by John Cooper **Reference:** Vaske Júnior, T. 2011.  Are deep-sea cephalopods really common preys for oceanic seabirds?  [*Biota Neotropica* 11: 177-180](http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bn/v11n1/18.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/do-deep-water-squid-eaten-by-albatrosses-come-from-tuna-stomachs-discarded-by-long-liners.md) ## European Union set to have a Seabird Action Plan by year-end It seems the long-awaited Seabird Action Plan for the European Union is to be in place soon. Lowri Evans, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries ([DG Mare](http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/maritimeaffairs_fisheries/index_en.htm)) announced at an [exhibition](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/10/appeal-to-eu-policy-makers-to-stop-needless-seabird-bycatch/) of albatross photographs arranged by [BirdLife Europe](http://www.birdlife.org/regional/europe/index.html ) last week and held at the European Parliament that that the Commission is planning to adopt a Seabird Action Plan to reduce the incidental bycatch of seabirds by the end of the year.  The European Union Action Plan (NPOA-Seabirds) will contain monitoring and mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch in both European and international waters. At the exhibition the Director-General noted the need for a wider approach to fisheries management in terms of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy ([CFP](http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/index_en.htm)), encompassing all elements of the ecosystem including seabirds.  The CFP is currently in the process of being reformed ([click here](http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/reform/index_en.htm)).  She called upon Members of the European Parliament, Member States, NGOs, the fishing industry and civil society to help bring about this change. It is considered that the adoption of a NPOA-Seabirds for the EU will help conserve such seabird species as the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*, endemic to the Spanish Mediterranean, and which is expected to become an ACAP-listed species next year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/shearwaters-a-new-working-group-and-a-meeting-in-peru-next-year-the-acap-advisory-committee-closes-a-successful-meeting-in-guayaquil-ecuador)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg) Balearic Shearwater Photograph by Daniel Oro [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/progress-towards-a-national-plan-of-action-seabirds-by-the-european-commission) for an earlier item in *ACAP Latest News* on progress towards an EU NPOA-Seabirds. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/european-union-set-to-have-a-seabird-action-plan-by-year-end.md) ## The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission is discussing seabird bycatch and mitigation measures this week in the Maldives The [Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch](http://www.iotc.org/English/meetings/wp/wpbycurrent.php) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org)) is meeting this week in Lankanfinolhu, North Malé Atoll, Republic of Maldives ([click here](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-01a.pdf) for the meeting's agenda). Topics being discussed include reviewing new information on the status of seabirds, new National Plans of Action for reducing incidental catches of seabirds in longline fisheries, research on interactions between seabirds and tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean, identification sheets for observers, and reviewing previous IOTC Resolutions and Recommendations on seabirds. Recommendations for the IOTC's Scientific Committee will be an important product of the meeting. Documents under discussion that deal with seabirds at the meeting include: ACAP 2011. Review of seabird bycatch mitigation measures for pelagic longline fisheries. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-43](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-43.pdf). 14 pp. ACAP 2011. Summary best practice advice for reducing the impact of pelagic longline gear on seabirds. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-44](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-44.pdf). 4 pp. Ahi Enterprises 2011. Smart Tuna Hook. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF13](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF13.pdf). 4 pp. Delord, K. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011. New information on distribution of albatrosses and petrels breeding in the Indian Ocean and assessment of potential overlap with the IOTC fisheries. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-38](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-38.pdf). 16 pp. Hsiang-Wen Huang 2011. Bycatch of high sea longline fisheries and measures taken byTaiwan: actions and challenges. *Marine Policy* 35: 712-720. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF12](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF12.pdf). Inoue, Y., Yokawa, K., Minami, H. & Ochi, D. 2011. Preliminary view of bycatch hotspot: bycatch distribution in the IOTC area of the southern hemisphere. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-40](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-40.pdf). 20 pp. IOTC Secretariat 2011. Status of development and implementation of National Plans of Action for seabirds and sharks. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-12](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-12.pdf). 5 pp. IOTC Secretariat 2011. Status of Seabirds in the Indian Ocean [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-16](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-16.pdf). 10 pp. Løkkeborg, S. 2011. Best practices to mitigate seabird bycatch in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries - efficiency and practical applicability. *Marine Ecology Progress Series*435: 285-303. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF11](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF11.pdf). Melvin, E., Guy, T. & Sato, N. 2011. Preliminary Report of 2010 Weighted Branchline Trials in the Tuna Joint Venture Fishery in the South African EEZ. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-54](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-54.pdf). 14 pp. Tuck, G.N., Thomson, R.B., Barbraud, C., Delord, K., Louzao, M. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011. Modelling work on Crozet wandering albatrosses and impact of longline fisheries in the IOTC zone. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-41](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-41.pdf). 20 pp. Wanless, R. & Small, C. 2011. Observer Programmes in RFMOs: a perspective from the BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-42](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-42.pdf). 4 pp. Weimerskirch, H., Delord, K. & Thiebot, J.B. 2011. National Plan of Action for the conservation of the Amsterdam albatross Diomedea amsterdamensis: potential risks from long line fisheries in the IOTC zone. [IOTC-2011-WPEB07-39](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-39.pdf). 14 pp. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_08_Fig1.jpg) ACAP is being represented at the meeting by its Technical Advisor, Barry Baker. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-indian-ocean-tuna-commission-is-discussing-seabird-bycatch-and-mitigation-measures-this-week-in-the-maldives.md) ## Pacific Seabird Group's 38th Annual Meeting in Hawaii next February: only a week left to submit an abstract From the meeting's web site: ** Call for Abstracts** Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting, Pacific Seabird Group, 7-10 February 2012, Makaha, Hawaii, USA Meeting Theme: Tropical Seabirds Abstract submission deadline 4 November 2011 We invite you to submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation on seabird biology, foraging ecology, energetics, physiology, population biology, systematics, genetics, conservation biology, fishery interactions, restoration ecology or any other topic relevant to seabirds. All abstracts must be received no later than 4 November, 2011.  You will be notified regarding acceptance of your paper.  Abstracts received after the deadline may not be included. [Click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=meeting&t=Annual Meeting&s=1) for more information on the meeting. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/kaena_point_by_lindsay_young.jpg) Kaena Point: breeding site of Laysan Albatrosses Photograph by Lindsay Young *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pacific-seabird-groups-38th-annual-meeting-in-hawaii-next-february-only-a-week-left-to-submit-an-abstract.md) ## Two Sooty Albatrosses reach Uruguay Fernando León writing in the Spanish-language journal *Achará*published by the NGO [Aves Uruguay](http://www.avesuruguay.org.uy/) reports two new records of the Sooty Albatross *Phoebetria fusca*for Uruguay. The paper's English-language abstract follows: "On 5 and 19 march 2006 two individuals of *Phoebetriafusca*were found dead in La Paloma beach, Uruguay. This record represent the second for Uruguayan beaches". ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Sooty/Sooty_Albatross_by_Ross_Wanless.jpg) Sooty Albatross Photograph by Ross Wanless **Reference:** León, F.F. 2011. Hallazgo de dos ejemplares de albatros oscuro (*Phoebetria fusca,*Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae) en La Paloma, Departamento de Rocha.  [*Achará*2a(2): 8-9](http://www.sasua.net/avesuruguay2/doc/ACHARA_002_Junio_2011.pdf#page=11). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/two-sooty-albatrosses-reach-uruguay.md) ## Black-browed Albatrosses interacting with trawlers in the South Atlantic: a photo essay The following pictures were taken from fishing trawlers in the South Atlantic. Very large numbers of Black-browed Albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* congregate behind vessels in that region to scavenge on discards. This can result in mortalities as some birds collide and become entangled with the warp cables, breaking a wing or being dragged below the sea surface when they may drown.    ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler1_graham_parker.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler2_graham_parker.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler4_graham_parker.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler3_graham_parker.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler6_graham_parker.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler5_graham_parker.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_trawler7_graham_parker.jpg) With thanks to Graham Parker for the use of his photographs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/black-browed-albatrosses-interacting-with-trawlers-in-the-south-atlantic-a-photo-essay.md) ## Sex-specific parental investment in Cory's Shearwaters Graham Fairhurst  ([Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada](http://artsandscience.usask.ca/biology/)) and colleagues writing on-line in the journal *[Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/)*, have measured corticosterone levels in chicks of Cory's Shearwater *Calonectris diomedea*, a potential candidate species for ACAP-listing, to study aspects of sex-specific parental investment. The paper's abstract follows: "Offspring of long-lived species should face costs of parental trade-offs that vary with overall energetic demands encountered by parents during breeding.  If sex differences exist in how parents make the trade-off, sex-specific differences may exist in the contribution of each parent to those costs. Adaptations of offspring facing such costs are not well understood, but the hormone corticosterone probably plays a role. We manipulated breeding effort in Cory's shearwaters (*Calonectris diomedea*) to increase costs to offspring and used an integrated measure of corticosterone from chick feathers to investigate how experimental variation in parental investment influences offspring physiology.  Average foraging trip duration and foraging efficiency (FE) of breeding pairs were not related to chick corticosterone, but sex biases in FE were.  Adult male investment was more strongly related to chick corticosterone than was female investment. Importantly, we show for the first time suppression of adrenocortical activity in nestling Procellariiform seabirds, and explain how our results indicate an adaptive mechanism invoked by chicks facing increased costs of parental trade-offs." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg) Cory's Shearwater off South Africa.  Photograph by John Graham **Reference:** Fairhurst, G.D., Navarro, J., González-Solis, J., Marchant, T.A. & Bortolotti, G.R. 2011.  Feather corticosterone of a nestling seabird reveals consequences of sex-specific parental investment.  *Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences. *[doi: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0884](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/05/30/rspb.2011.0884.short). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/sex-specific-parental-investment-in-corys-shearwaters.md) ## Storm damage to breeding Black-browed Albatrosses at Beauchêne Island and Steeple Jason Island in the South Atlantic Sarah Crofts and colleagues have produced a report detailing severe storm damage to breeding colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* on two islands in the South Atlantic late last year, previously reported in *ACAP Latest News* ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/a-qperfect-stormq-kills-hundreds-of-breeding-black-browed-albatrosses)). The illustrated report's edited abstract and concluding statement follow: "This report examines the impacts of a severe storm event in December 2010 on colonial nesting seabirds, specifically black-browed albatrosses (*IUCN - Endangered*) and southern rockhopper penguins (*IUCN - Vulnerable*) at Beauchêne Island and Steeple Jason Island. With a predicted increase in storm events due to climate change, the possible increase in frequency of these impacts and the cumulative effects of other threats need to be monitored and taken into account for future management strategies. Also, it highlights the importance of continuing to implement measures to mitigate known threats to these seabird populations to help buffer against population losses caused by other unforeseeable natural disasters." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_5_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) Black-browed Albatrosses on Beauchêne Island after the storm Photograph by Anton Wolfaardt **Reference:** Crofts, S., Wolfaardt, A. & Baylis, A. 2011.  [Storm damage to colonial seabirds at Beauchêne Island and Steeple Jason Island during 13-14 December 2010](http://www.epd.gov.fk/wp-content/uploads/9.3%20Storm%20impact%20on%20seabirds%20-%20FC%202011.pdf).  20 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/storm-damage-to-breeding-black-browed-albatrosses-at-beauchene-island-and-steeple-jason-island-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## CCAMLR's Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing Working Group hears of fewer birds killed in the French southern island EEZs The [Scientific Committee](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/sc/intro.htm ) of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources ([CCAMLR](http://www.ccamlr.org)) meets annually in Hobart, Australia in October/November of each year.  At two-year intervals of late the **Working Group on Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing** ([WG-IMAF](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/sc/imaf/ie-intro.htm)) has met immediately before the Scientific Committee. WG-IMAF was established by CCAMLR in 1992 in response to the large numbers of albatrosses and petrels then being killed by longliners in the Southern Ocean.  Since then its activities and recommendations for the adoption of seabird conservation measures have progressively led to drops in the numbers of birds killed, so that now CCAMLR-managed fisheries are an exemplar to other high seas fishery management organizations.  It has also extended its purview to address seabird mortality from trawling. The report of the 2009 meeting of WG-IMAF is available at [http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/sr/09/a07.pdf](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/sr/09/a07.pdf).  The report estimates that a total of 521 birds was killed by legal fisheries within the CCAMR region over 2008/09, mostly within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) around the French sub-Antarctic islands in the southern Indian Ocean.  Over 90% of this estimate was of ACAP-listed White-chinned Petrels *Procellaria aequinoctialis*. This year WG-IMAF met under the Convenorship of J. Moir Clark (UK) over 10-12 October.  ACAP was represented by invitation by Barry Baker, Convenor of its Seabird Bycatch Working Group and Technical Advisor to the ACAP Secretariat. All birds reported killed by Southern Ocean longlining over 2010/11 were from the French EEZs, but the adoption and enforcement of mitigation measures by French vessels has continued to see a decrease in the estimates of birds killed throughout the Southern Ocean to 220, once again mostly (82%) White-chinned Petrels, along with 12% Grey Petrels *P. cinerea*, 4% Northern Giant Petrels *Macronectes halli*) and 2% Southern Rockhopper Penguins *Eudyptes chrysocome*.  This is less than half the estimate of two seasons before. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/G/Grey/Grey_Petrel_by_Peter_Ryan1.jpg) Grey Petrel at sea: at risk to longlines Photograph by Peter Ryan Four seabird mortalities (all Cape or Pintado Petrels *Daption capense*) were reported due to interactions with Antarctic Krill *Euphausia superba* trawl gear and no bird mortalities were reported from finfish trawl fisheries. The future of IMAF is to be decided by the Scientific Committee and Commission, but meeting at less regular intervals has been suggested, for as long as it is considered that its activities can lead to further reductions in the mortality of seabirds associated with fishing activities in the Southern Ocean. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/ccamlrs-incidental-mortality-associated-with-fishing-working-group-hears-of-fewer-birds-killed-in-the-french-southern-island-eezs.md) ## Interactions between albatrosses and petrels and fisheries on the Kerguelen Plateau, southern Indian Ocean Cédric Cotté ([Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/), France) and colleagues have included an extended abstract in a newly published book entitled *The Kerguelen Plateau: Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries*, which is an outcome of a symposium of the same name held in Concarneau, France in 2010. The abstract considers interactions between Wandering *Diomedea exulans* and Black-browed *Thalassarche melanophris* Albatrosses and White-chinned *Procellaria aequinoctialis* and Grey *P. cinerea* Petrels and fisheries on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southern Indian Ocean and concludes that: "[t]he dynamic analysis of seabird and vessel locations shows strong co-occurrence of both wandering (breeding and immature) and black-browed albatrosses.  They spent a substantial amount of time associated with vessels (7-25% of location with vessels relative to total number of locations during the trip in the Kerguelen EEZ).  This supports the hypothesis that foraging activity of albatrosses is highly linked to fishery activities. Moreover, an increase in the proportion of locations associated with vessels is exhibited for breeding wandering albatross (since 1994) and for black-browed albatross (since 2004).  These results have strong implications in terms of seabirds [sic] conservation and ecosystem management.  As a practical application, long-term inter-annual tracking of albatrosses will allow the identification of important marine bird areas as important viable zones for naturally occurring bird populations." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white_chinned_petrel_hooked_by nicolas_gasco.jpg) White-chinned Petrel hooked by a longliner Photograph by Nicolas Gasco --- **Reference:** Cotté, C., Delord, K, Péron, C., Bost, C.-A., Duhamel, G., Pruvost, P., Gasco, N., Martin, A. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011.  Interactions between seabirds and fisheries in the French EEZs: implications for conservation and management. In: Duhamel, G. & Welsford, D. (Eds).  *[The Kerguelen Plateau: Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries](http://www.mnhn.fr/sfi/sfi/6.livres/72.Kerguelen.html)*.  Paris: Société Française d'Ichtyologie.  pp. 291-292. For another paper of relevance to ACAP-listed species in the same book [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/calamari-for-dinner-albatrosses-help-reveal-cephalopod-fauna-and-its-trophic-relationships-in-kerguelen-waters). With thanks to Karine Delord. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/interactions-between-albatrosses-and-petrels-and-fisheries-on-the-kerguelen-plateau-southern-indian-ocean.md) ## Two Short-tailed Albatrosses start breeding on Kure Atoll, Hawaii for the second year, but once more both are females The rarest of the three North Pacific albatross species, the Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* has until last year only been documented breeding successfully on islands off Japan, despite increasing sightings of individuals amongst other albatross colonies in the USA's Hawaiian Islands in recent years. A single female laid and then abandoned, infertile eggs on Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from 1989-2001, but there was no indication of a male attending its nest.  In late 2010 two Short-tailed Albatross nests were recorded in the Hawaiian Islands, both of which contained eggs that were incubated.  The nest on Midway Atoll successfully fledged the first chick outside of Japan in June 2011 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/midway-atolls-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-is-doing-well-post-tsunami)), but the nest on Kure Atoll had failed by late December 2010 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatross-nest-fails-on-kure-atoll-hawaii)). Short-tailed Albatrosses have begun breeding on Kure Atoll again, and at the same nest site as in 2010.  The first bird, an immature phase, arrived on 29 October 2011, followed by the second final-plumaged phase bird later the same day.  On 30 October at 11h00 only the final-phase plumage bird was present with two eggs in the nest, the immature-phase plumage bird having already departed.  These are the same 18-year old (13A 0703)  and 11-year old (13A 1456) birds that were banded on Japan's Torishima Island by Hiroshi Hasegawa in 1993 and 2000, respectively as chicks and that bred together as a female-female pair on Kure last year.  The 2010 nest was initiated on 31 October 2010. Aside from the nest reported last year, Kure Atoll has had two previous reports of Short-tailed Albatrosses- one in 1994 and one in 2008.  Both observations were within 300 m of the 2010 and 2011 nest site and were of immature-plumaged birds.  It is possible that the pair on Kure Atoll has been attempting breeding for a number of years, but went un-noticed prior to the first winter field camp at Kure, which only occurred in 2010.  So in previous years any nests that were initiated and then abandoned would likely have been missed by the time the camp was set up in May. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short_tailed_albatross_kure_cynthia_ vanderlip.jpg) The older bird of the Kure female-female pair in 2010: with two infertile eggs Photograph by Cynthia Vanderlip As in 2010, the presence of two eggs this year is indicative of two females pairing whose eggs have a low probability of being fertile, particularly since they were laid in such rapid succession with no other Short-tailed Albatrosses present on the island. The phenomenon of female-female pairing is relatively common amongst Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis*, particularly in newly established colonies, and has also been documented in Black-footed Albatrosses *P. nigripes*, both of which are closely related to Short-tailed Albatrosses. As with last year, we will keep our collective fingers crossed that this time there is a male Short-tailed Albatross involved and at least one of the eggs laid will be fertile.  Stay tuned for updates. With thanks to Cynthia Vanderlip for information *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, 4 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/two-short-tailed-albatrosses-start-breeding-on-kure-atoll-hawaii-for-the-second-year-but-once-more-both-are-females.md) ## A colour-banded Wandering Albatross from the other side of the Atlantic washes up on South Africa's Cape Peninsula Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* are not uncommon in South African waters, but sightings at sea do not normally allow deductions as to to breeding population from which they originate. On 30 October 2011 the washed-up corpse of a Wandering Albatross was found on the beach at Llandudno, on the Atlantic coast of South Africa's Cape Peninsula by Harriet Nimmo, who noticed that the bird was banded with both metal and colour bands.  The metal band was inscribed "Inform British Museum Nat Hist[ory], London, UK" and carried the number 4002752.  The yellow colour band was inscribed B27. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_llundadno_metal_band_harriet_nimmo.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_llundadno_harriet_nimmo.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_llundadno_colour_band_harriet_nimmo.jpg) Information supplied by Andy Wood of the British Antarctic Survey reveals that the bird was banded as a chick at Bird Island, South Georgia (Islas Georgia del Sur)* on the other side of the South Atlantic on 8 October 2007 in the Wanderer Ridge study area, and hence was four years old when it was washed ashore near Cape Town.  It had not been recorded back on Bird Island since fledging.  However, the bird's parents currently have a nest with a chick on the island which was banded a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully this one will fledge and make it back to the island over time. With thanks to Harriet Nimmo for the photographs and report and Andy Wood for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 November 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-colour-banded-wandering-albatross-from-the-other-side-of-the-atlantic-washes-up-on-south-africas-cape-peninsula.md) ## Another Short-tailed Albatross meets its end on an Alaskan longliner The USA's National Marine Fisheries Service ([NMFS](http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/)) has reported the incidental take of a Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* by a demersal longliner in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Management Area on 25 October 2011 at 56° 35'N; 172° 52'W.  The albatross was banded, identifying it as a two-year old from Japan's Torishima Island ([click here](http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/bulletin.asp?BulletinID=7771)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatrosses_aleutians_rob_suryan.jpg "Short-tailed Albatrosses in Alaskan waters. Photograph by Rob Suryan") The last two fishery-induced mortalities of Short-tailed Albatrosses in Alaskan waters were in August and September 2010.  The August 2010 bird was located very close to this recent take.  For a report of fishery-induced mortality of a Short-tailed Albatross in US waters outside Alaska earlier this year [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/short-tailed-albatross-killed-by-a-fishing-boat-off-the-coast-of-oregon-usa). The Short-tailed Albatross is protected by the USA's Endangered Species Act ([ESA](http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/esa.html)).  As a result of consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service ([USFWS](http://www.fws.gov/)) under the ESA, USFWS issued an incidental take statement of four birds during each two-year period for the BSAI and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) hook-and-line groundfish fisheries.  In instances where the amount or extent of incidental take is exceeded, reinitiation of formal ESA consultation is required. This is the first take in the two-year period that began on 16 September 2011.  To date, the incidental take levels have not been reached during the current or any previous two-year period.  NMFS has reminded operators of longliners in the BSAI and GOA management areas that they are required to employ multiple seabird avoidance measures.  Detailed information on those measures (primarily the use of either single (smaller vessels) or paired (larger vessels) bird-scaring lines during setting) is available at [http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/guide.htm](http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/guide.htm).  Additionally, birds caught alive must be released if deemed healthy enough to do so. [Click here](http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/bulletin.asp?BulletinID=7771) for more information including a map of all nine recorded Short-tailed Albatross fatalities in the BSAI Management Area. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/another-short-tailed-albatross-meets-its-end-from-an-alaskan-longliner.md) ## Cigarette lighters and toy soldiers: floating marine debris continues to kill North Pacific albatrosses In 2000 I visited Midway Atoll in the North Pacific on an excursion after the [Second International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and other Petrels](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/28_2/28_2_8.pdf) that had been held in Honolulu, Hawaii in May that year.  While on the island I was appalled by the many corpses of Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* chicks strewn around with their body cavities crammed with plastic debris fed to them by their parents, including cigarette lighters, bottle tops, toothbrushes and even toy soldiers and action heroes.  This led to my co-authoring a paper on colour selection by North Pacific albatrosses, suggesting that they prefer red, pink and orange cigarette lighters to blue and green ones, presumably mistaking them for edible prey ([click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/publications/PacificSeabirds/VOL_31_1.pdf)).  It is clear that a decade later the problem has not gone away. [Chris Jordan Photographic Arts](http://chrisjordan.com/contact.php) of Seattle, USA has published on-line an evocative photo essay called ["Midway: Message from the Gyre"](http://chrisjordan.com/gallery/midway/#CF000313%2018x24) that depicts corpses of albatross chicks on Midway with their decaying bodies crammed with plastic debris.  The project is described by the photographer: "[f]or me, kneeling over their carcasses is like looking into a macabre mirror. These birds reflect back an appallingly emblematic result of the collective trance of our consumerism and runaway industrial growth.  Like the albatross, we first-world humans find ourselves lacking the ability to discern anymore what is nourishing from what is toxic to our lives and our spirits.  Choked to death on our waste, the mythical albatross calls upon us to recognize that our greatest challenge lies not out there, but *in here*." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_corpse_midway_chris_jordan.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_corpse2_midway_chris_jordan.jpg) Meanwhile the marine debris from the Japanese tsunami gets ever closer to the albatross islands of the North Pacific ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/japanese-tsunami-debris-spotted-at-sea-heading-for-albatross-islands-where-clean-ups-are-underway)) leading US Senator for Hawaii, Daniel Inouye to call for more funding to help clean up the debris ([click here](http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/15929492/inouye-pushes-for-funds-to-clean-up-tsunami-debris)). Photographs by Chris Jordan from his Midway photo-essay are included here by permission granted under a Creative Commons license.  He is also producing and directing a film on Midway and its albatrosses ([click here](http://www.midwayjourney.com/)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/cigarette-lighters-and-toy-soldiers-floating-marine-debris-continues-to-kill-north-pacific-albatrosses.md) ## The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission makes progress towards best practice in its recommended mitigation measures for albatrosses and petrels At the Seventh Meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission's ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org)) Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch ([WPEB](http://www.iotc.org/English/meetings/wp/wpbycurrent.php)) held last month in the Maldives ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-indian-ocean-tuna-commission-is-discussing-seabird-bycatch-and-mitigation-measures-this-week-in-the-maldives)) significant progress was achieved in furthering seabird conservation. The Working Party has put forward recommendations to amend [**Resolution 10/06** On reducing the incidental bycatch of seabirds in longline fisheries](http://www.ccsbt.org/userfiles/file/other_rfmo_measures/iotc/Resolution%2010_06.pdf)** **to bring it into line with best practice as presented to the meetings in documents from several delegations attending the meeting, including those of Japan and the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. If this recommendation is accepted, together with the recommendation to remove blue-dyed squid bait, line shooters and offal discharge control from the existing measure, the 'two column' approach used in IOTC Resolution 10/06 would be abandoned in favour of an approach that specifies only three measures (bird-scaring lines, line weighting and night setting) to be applied in areas of seabird interaction risk. The WPEB recommended that line weighting should be seen as an adaptive management response to the seabird bycatch problem.  Continued refinement of line-weighting configurations (e.g. mass, number and position of weights and materials) through controlled research and application in fisheries was considered highly desirable to find configurations that are most safe, practical and effective.  The recommended regimes should be implemented in working fisheries, monitored through observer programmes, and reviewed and modified if found to be inadequate in reducing bycatch to acceptable levels. The WPEB also recommended that targeted observer effort be deployed in specific fisheries where high seabird bycatch is known or suspected, and that the Scientific Committee take note that the current area of application for seabird bycatch mitigation measures was supported by the available evidence and need not be revised. These recommendations of the WPEB now need to be endorsed by the IOTC Scientific Committee when it meets in December next month and then enacted upon by the Commission when it meets in April next year. [Click here](http://iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-R%5BE%5D.pdf) for the final report of IOTC-WPEB7. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) ACAP was represented at the WPEB meeting by its Technical Advisor, Barry Baker, who is also Convenor of the ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group ([SBWG](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/working-groups/seabird-bycatch-working-group)) and by Dr Henri Weimerskirch (France), who is also a member of ACAP's SBWG. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer,8 November 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-indian-ocean-tuna-commission-makes-progress-towards-best-practice-in-its-recommended-mitigation-measures-for-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## Fourth Session of ACAP's Meeting of Parties to be held in Lima, Peru in April 2012: key dates announced **MoP4 Meeting Circular No. 1** The Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (MoP4) will be held in Lima, Peru from 23 -27 April 2012. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/southern_giant_petrel_king_george_island_markus_ritz.jpg "Whie-phase Southern Giant Petrel on King George Island. Photograph by Markus Ritz") **Key dates for MoP4** **24 November 2011:**Submission of proposed amendments to the Agreement. **23 December 2011:**The Advisory Committee's report on progress with implementation of the Agreement circulated to Parties. The Advisory Committee's report on its activities circulated to Parties. **23 January 2012:**Submission date for meeting documents requiring translation. Submission date for applications from observers representing international organisations. **22 February 2012:**Parties' comments on proposals to amend the Agreement or its Annexes submitted to Secretariat. Meeting working documents distributed in the three official languages. Provisional agenda circulated. Submission date for applications from observers representing non-international organisations. Final date for submission of meeting documents, including information papers **24 April 2012:**Official credentials submitted by Parties' Representatives to the Secretariat. As noted above, written applications for observer status from international scientific, environmental, cultural or technical bodies should be submitted to the Secretariat at least 90 days prior to the MoP4 (by 23 January 2012). Requests for observer status from any other scientific, environmental, cultural or technical bodies should be submitted to the Secretariat at least 60 days prior to the meeting (by 22 February 2012). Information about the venue, a draft agenda and list of papers for the meeting will be provided shortly. *Warren Papworth, Executive Secretary ACAP Secretariat, 9 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/fourth-session-of-acaps-meeting-of-parties-to-be-held-in-lima-peru-in-april-2012-key-dates-announced.md) ## A third albatross researcher is honoured by the UNEP/CMS Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation Leandro Bugoni (Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, [Universidade Federal do Rio Grande](http://www.furg.br/), Brazil) is one of 14 PhD graduates (out of 61 applicants from 25 countries) short-listed for the UNEP/CMS ([Convention on Migratory Species](http://www.cms.int/)) Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation for 2011 ([click here](http://www.cms.int/thesis_award/thesis_award_2011_report.pdf)). The following has been extracted from Leandro's submission to the CMS: "In this study I investigated Procellariiformes (albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters) at sea in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.  Fourteen species and 301 individuals were sampled non-destructively using a cast net method. The thesis addressed basic and applied research on albatrosses and petrels, migratory seabirds globally threatened by extinction, contributing on the ecology and conservation in several ways: methodologically, by demonstrating how to capture and sample seabirds non-destructively at sea, encouraging further research elsewhere on this neglected period; ageing albatrosses; improving stable isotope analysis; providing data on general biology and natural mortality factors; applied conservation, by revising bycatch in the South-western Atlantic Ocean in the globally well known pelagic longline and providing insights on small-scale fisheries, not recognized previously as threat for seabirds and sea turtles; investigating overlap of longliners and satellite tracked Spectacled Petrels [*Procellaria conspicillata*] distribution; demographic impacts of fishery mortality on males and females; how benefits from food discards, and costs from incidental mortality, are balanced and vary according to species; conservation of Trindade Petrels [*Pterodroma arminjoniana*] in breeding grounds by determining at sea distribution using geolocators, feeding ecology, breeding biology and recent expansion towards Indian Ocean mediated by introduced mammals and deforestation investigated through molecular methods. New data and insights were widely disseminated in international forums, providing evidences on how fisheries disrupt migration increasing mortality in fisheries or providing food discards.  All these have important implications, and applications, in the research and mitigation of fishery impacts, recognized as a major factor impairing the long-term survival of albatrosses and petrels." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Spectacled/spectacled_petrel_inaccessible_island_by_peter_ryan.jpg) A Spectacled Petrel calls at its breeding site on Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic Photograph by Peter Ryan Leandro's PhD was awarded by the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK in 2008 for his thesis entitled "Ecology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels at Sea off Brazil". Two other albatross researchers have been previously honoured by the CMS thesis award.  The inaugural 2008 award was made to Samantha Petersen, with the third laureate being Ross Wanless. Both are South African graduates from the [FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-african-research-on-acap-species-wins-unep/cms-thesis-awards)). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/skewed-adult-sex-ratios-in-albatross-and-petrel-bycatch-are-due-to-differential-at-sea-distributions) to read the abstract of one of Leandro's scientific papers emanating from his thesis.  More be found by searching on **Bugoni**on this web site. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 November 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-third-albatross-researcher-is-honoured-by-the-unepcms-thesis-award-on-migratory-species-conservation.md) ## You take the high road I'll take the low road: differing wintering routes of Cory's Shearwaters Paulo Catry ([Eco-Ethology Research Unit](http://www.ispa.pt/ui/uie/), ISPA, Lisbon, Portugal) and colleagues, publishing in the open-access journal *[PLoS ONE](http://www.plosone.org/home.action)* , have looked at the routes Cory's Shearwaters*Calonectris diomedea* (a potential ACAP candidate species) from different breeding localities take to their wintering grounds. The paper's abstract follows: "Although seabirds that are trans-equatorial migrants show apparently broad overlap among populations in the nonbreeding season, such large-scale pattern may conceal subtle but nevertheless key differences in migratory behaviour.  These specializations could reflect adaptation to different environments during the breeding season, carry-over effects from the breeding to the nonbreeding period, or asymmetries in competitive ability of birds of different origin.  We compared the migratory and wintering behaviour of Cory's shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea* nesting in Berlengas and in the Selvagens, two colonies in contrasting oceanographic environments, separated by *ca*. 1200 km.  Although no differences were found in winter distribution, there was a marked divergence in timing, route and the use of staging areas during the postbreeding (autumn) migration.  Birds from Berlengas typically travelled to oceanic waters in the North Atlantic for an extended stopover, whereas those from Selvagens rarely did so.  In the South Atlantic, birds from Selvagens spent more time in flight, perhaps because they had higher energy and nutrient requirements for feather replacement compared to birds from Berlengas, which moult more flight feathers during breeding.  Stable isotope analyses of feathers suggested that this variation in activity patterns was unrelated to trophic ecology.  Differences in migration routes and stopovers may expose populations to distinct threats, and should be taken into consideration when defining units for conservation purposes and developing appropriate management strategies." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_paulo_catry.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwaters_paulo_catry.jpg) Cory's Shearwaters in the Selvagens Islands Photographs by Paulo Catry **Reference: **Catry, P., Dias, M.P., Phillips, R.A. & Granadeiro, J.P. 2011.  Different means to the same end: long-distance migrant seabirds from two colonies differ in behaviour, despite common wintering grounds.   [PLoS ONE 6(10): e26079. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0026079](http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0026079). With thanks to Paul Catry. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer,11 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/you-take-the-high-road-ill-take-the-low-road-differing-wintering-routes-of-corys-shearwaters.md) ## A new colony of Southern Giant Petrels is discovered in the South Atlantic A ground-based baiting operation to eradicate introduced Norway Rats *Rattus norvegicus* on 123-ha Sea Lion Island (51° 55.60'S, 58° 43.80'W) in the Choiseul Sound area, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* on 23 October this year has led to the discovery by Sally Poncet of a previously unknown breeding locality for ACAP-listed Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* in the South Atlantic. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/sea_lion_island_falklands_sally_poncet.jpg) A breeding site of Southern Giant Petrels on Sea Lion Island Photograph by Sally Poncet The birds were found breeding in two separate colonies about 750 m apart.  Fifteen birds were present at one of the sites on 22 October when nine empty nest scrapes were counted.  The next day two of these nests contained eggs and three of five occupied nests at the second locality also had eggs, suggesting at least 14 breeding pairs for the island.  A total of 30 giant petrels was counted ashore. It is possible, but remains unproven, that these birds had moved from Big Samuel Island, three kilometres away, where breeding by Southern Giant Petrels has been previously suspected by the discovery of empty nests in May 2011, suggesting breeding had occurred there over the previous summer ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/helping-southern-giant-petrels-in-the-south-atlantic-ridding-big-samuel-and-governor-islands-of-their-alien-rats)). This year Big Samuel does not appear to be supporting a giant petrel colony based on a check made on 15 October; lending credence to the idea of relocation having occurred. The Southern Giant Petrel breeding population of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* in 2004/05 was estimated to be approximately 19 529 pairs (range 18 420 - 20 377) breeding in 38 localities around the islands, with colony size varying from one to 10 936. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_with_chick_Gough_Island_by_John_Cooper.jpg) Southen Giant Petrel guarding its chick Photograph by John Cooper **Reference:** *Reid, T.A. & Huin, N. 2008.  Census of the Southern Giant Petrel population of the Falkland Islands.  [*Bird Conservation International* 18: 118-128](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1878088). Also see [http://www.falklandsconservation.com/wildlife/birds/GiantPetrelReport.pdf](http://www.falklandsconservation.com/wildlife/birds/GiantPetrelReport.pdf). With thanks to Sally Poncet for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 November 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-new-colony-of-southern-giant-petrels-is-discovered-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## A flashmob performance and an NPOA-Seabirds: recent news from BirdLife's Global Seabird Programme in southern Africa BirdLife International's [Global Seabird Programme](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/index.html ) has been active of late in both Namibia and South Africa. Popular South African music band [Freshlyground](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshlyground ) offered a "flashmob style performance" at Cape Town's trendy V&A Waterfront in the city docks area in support of [BirdLife South Africa](http://www.birdlife.org.za/)'s [Save our Seabirds Festival](http://www.birdlife.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88&Itemid=92 ) held last month ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/11/save-our-seabirds-sos-festival-2011/) for the video clip). Freshlyground is a South African Afro-fusion band formed in 2002. The Festival tackled the issues of overfishing, pollution and habitat loss and also listened to a lecture on seabird island restoration by the distinguished Chair of BirdLife International's Global Seabird Programme (and retired British Antarctic Survey albatross researcher), Professor John Croxall, CBE, FRS. The top 50 finalists' photos from the [Oceans of Life photographic competition](http://www.sosfestival.co.za/photo_exhibition.htm) held as part of the Festival are on display at the [Iziko South African Museum](http://www.iziko.org.za/museums/south-african-museum), Cape Town until 20 November 2011. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/trawl_bba_neil_anders.jpg) Albatrosses behind a demersal trawler Photograph by Neil Anders [News](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/09/23/news-from-atf-namibia.aspx) from the [Albatross Task Force](http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/problem/atf.aspx) (part of the Global Seabird Programme) in Namibia reveals progress with the Namibian National Plan of Action - Seabirds which has been through various drafts since 2003.  In June this year a workshop was held with key fisheries scientists and government officials to finalise the latest draft for presentation to (and hopefully adoption by) the Namibian Minister of Fisheries.  "This document is the roadmap for seabird bycatch mitigation in Namibia and will pave the way for legislation to reduce incidental seabird bycatch". See also [http://www.nnf.org.na/NNF_news/20110707_news.htm](http://www.nnf.org.na/NNF_news/20110707_news.htm). ATF-Namibia has been conducting trials on demersal trawlers to demonstrate the effectiveness of bird-scaring lines at preventing bird interactions with fishing gear.  The results of this work will hopefully form the basis for developing best-practice mitigation guidelines for the hake *Merluccius*spp. trawl fishery in Namibian waters. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-flash-mob-performance-and-an-npoa-seabirds-recent-news-from-birdlifes-global-seabird-programme-in-southern-africa.md) ## UPDATED: Fifth International Albatross and Petrel Conference: early-bird registration and abstract call now open **UPDATE:** **A maximum of two abstracts may be submitted by each lead author, but only one can be considered for an oral presentation.** The Fifth International Albatross and Petrel Conference ([IAPC5](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/event-summary-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx)) will be held in Wellington, New Zealand over 12-17 August 2012. Registration is now open ([click here](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/fees-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx)) with an ‘early-bird' discount available until 1 April 2012.  A reduced registration fee is also available for pensioners, students and the "unwaged". The closing date for submission of abstracts for posters and oral presentations is also 1 April 2012 ([click here](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/custom-37-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx) to access the template).  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Chatham/Chatham_Albatross_by_Graham_Robertson.jpg) Chatham Albatrosses: endemic to New Zealand Photograph by Graham Robertson Information is also available on [mid-conference](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/custom-38-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx) and [pre- and post-conference](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/custom-39-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx) tours and outings, as well as on the venue, events and accommodation. Outings offered include seabird-watching trips into the Hauraki Gulf with [Pterodroma Pelagics](http://www.nzseabirds.com/)  (North Island) and off Kaikoura with [Albatross Encounter](http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/) (South Island) and to [Kapiti Island Nature Reserve](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/wellington-kapiti/kapiti/kapiti-island-nature-reserve/) and [Matiu/Somes Island Scientific and Historic Reserve](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/wellington-kapiti/wellington/matiu-somes-island/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 October 2011, updated 15 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference-early-bird-registration-and-abstract-call-now-open.md) ## How threatened are albatrosses and petrels? Latest IUCN Red List released The latest update of the IUCN [Red List of Threatened Species](http://www.iucnredlist.org)TM is now available ([click here](http://www.iucnredlist.org/news/another-leap-towards-the-barometer-of-life)). [http://www.iucnredlist.org/](http://www.iucnredlist.org/)A look at members of the albatross and petrel order (Procellariiformes) reveals that of the 131 species listed, 81 (62%) have been given a category-of-threat status of Extinct, threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) or Near Threatened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and only 50 are considered to be of Least Concern or Data Deficient. Of the four families in the order, the Diomedeidae (albatrosses) are the most threatened, with all 22 species recognized being accorded a threatened or a Near Threatened status.  This is followed by the Procellariidae (82 species of petrels, shearwaters and allies at 59% threatened/Near Threatened), Hydrobatidae (storm petrels, 23 species, 43% threatened/Near Threatened) and Pelecanoididae (diving petrels, four species, one Endangered). Of the 19 ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels only the two giant petrels *Macronectes*spp. have been categorized as Least Concern, so overall 93% of the ACAP species have been categorized as threatened or Near Threatened. Consideration has been given to the inclusion of selected species of shearwaters *Calonectris*and *Puffinus*within the Agreement.  For example, it is expected that next year the [Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) *P. mauritanicus* will be listed ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/shearwaters-a-new-working-group-and-a-meeting-in-peru-next-year-the-acap-advisory-committee-closes-a-successful-meeting-in-guayaquil-ecuador)).  Of the 22 species of shearwaters in these two genera exactly half are considered to be threatened or Near Threatened and thus might be considered as candidate species for listing. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg) Balearic Shearwater Photograph by Daniel Oro Five species of tunas have been placed in threatened or Near Threatened categories by IUCN.  They are Southern Bluefin *Thunnus maccoyii*, Critically Endangered; Atlantic Bluefin *T. thynnus*, Endangered; Bigeye *T. obesus*, Vulnerable; Yellowfin *T. albacares*, Near Threatened; and Albacore *T. alalunga*, Near Threatened.  Longline fisheries for all five species are known to result in the incidental mortality of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. BirdLife International through its [Global Species Programme](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/programmeofwork) is the IUCN Red List authority for birds, classifying species in terms of their risk of extinction. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/how-threatened-are-albatrosses-and-petrels-latest-iucn-red-list-released.md) ## UPDATED: Midway Atoll's Short-tailed Albatross pair has an egg for the second year Following its successful breeding last season on Eastern Island, Midway Atoll the Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus*pair is back this month, with the male currently incubating. Visit ["Pete at Midway](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/2011/11/short-tailed-albatross-egg.html)"·to see a photo of the male on its egg which the female laid on the 9th before heading back to sea, leaving the male to take the first incubation shift.  More information is on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife [web site](http://www.fws.gov/midway/whatsnew.html) for the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Reserve.  The pair's chick from the 2010/11 season fledged on or about 16 June, having survived the Japanese tsunami ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/midway-atolls-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-is-doing-well-post-tsunami)).     ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_male_midway_john_klavitter.jpg) Midway's male Short-tailed Albatross·is back and incubating again Photographed by John Klavitter in 2010 The female-female pair of STALs have also returned to Kure Atoll and have laid two, presumably once more infertile, eggs, as they did last season ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/two-short-tailed-albatrosses-start-breeding-on-kure-atoll-hawaii-for-the-second-year-but-once-more-both-are-females)). Pete's Midway Blog also depicts some intriguing albatross art made with cigarette lighters that are fed to chicks on Midway, as well as carrying reports on progress with the lead-abatement programme to reduce the·poisoning of Laysan Albatross *P. immutabilis* chicks which ingest flakes that have fallen of the old buildings on the island ([click here](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/2011/10/lead-paint-work-retirement-party.html)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 November 2011, updated 17 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/midway-atolls-short-tailed-albatross-pair-has-an-egg-for-the-second-year.md) ## Hook pod trials conducted off Brazil will help to keep albatrosses and petrels safe at sea The hook pod is a capsule that protects the barb of the hook and thus prevents seabirds from becoming caught during longline setting. "The cunning design behind this device is a mechanism that releases the hook as it sinks below 10 m, leaving the hook free to fish for fish.  Therefore its use does not disturb negatively the fishery and helps the birds fly by in peace." [Click here](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/07/seabird-mitigation-research-update-%E2%80%93-the-hook-pod/) for more information on the pod. You can now watch a [video clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXqJA3fu0Uc) of progress with experimental hook pod trials conducted on the FV *Anarthur*out of Italají, Brazil. See also [http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/06/13/hook-pod-trails-in-brazil.aspx](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/06/13/hook-pod-trails-in-brazil.aspx) for more information on the Brazilian trials conducted earlier this year. Development of the hook pod by BirdLife International's Global Seabird Programme was supported financially in 2010 by a grant from ACAP ([Project ACAP 2010-13](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-albatross-and-petrel-agreement-supports-research-projects-in-south-america-and-elsewhere)). A detailed and illustrated report on progress with the hook pod's development was given by Ben Sullivan to this years' meeting of the ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group, held in Guayaquil, Ecuador in September.  Go to [SBWG4 Doc 10 Rev1: Hook Pod Update](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/download-document/1716-sbwg4-doc-10-hook-pod-update). **![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/Black_Browed_Albatross_dead_by_Graham_Robertson.jpg)** Hooked Black-browed Albatross drowned behind a longliner *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/hook-pod-trials-conducted-off-brazil-will-help-to-keep-albatrosses-and-petrels-safe-at-sea.md) ## Survival and life-stage transitions of Kaena Point's Laysan Albatrosses Eric Vanderwerf and Lindsay Young of [Pacific Rim Conservation](http://pacificrimconservation.com/) have analysed eight years of demographic data collected from Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* breeding at Kaena Point (site of a new [predator-proof fence](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/hawaiis-first-predator-proof-fence-is-completed-and-a-high-island-laysan-albatross-breeding-colony-is-now-safe-from-predators)) on Oahu, Hawaii.The paper's abstract follows: "Accurate estimates of demographic rates are fundamental to understanding population dynamics and can provide insights into the ecology and conservation of a species.  We used multistate mark-recapture models to estimate apparent annual survival, encounter probability, and life-stage transitions in Laysan Albatrosses (*Phoebastria immutabilis*) at Kaena Point, Hawaii, from 2003 to 2010.  Four-state models of prebreeders, breeders, failed breeders, and skipped breeders overestimated survival by 1-3% and underestimated skipped breeding by 5-6%, but five-state models that included a state for unobserved skipped breeders performed better.  Survival did not vary among years and was highest in prebreeders (mean ± SE = 0.996 ± 0.010) and lower in successful breeders (0.932 ± 0.023) than in failed breeders (0.963 ± 0.018), suggesting a cost to reproduction.  Survival was similar in males and females among prebreeders, breeders, and failed breeders, but survival of males was lower among skipped breeders.  Encounter probability was related to monitoring effort; more frequent visits and use of field-readable auxiliary bands and remote cameras resulted in higher encounter rates.  With sufficient effort, all skipped breeders were observed at the colony even though they did not breed.  Recruitment averaged 24% in females and 21% in males and varied among years.  Breeding frequency averaged 0.807 ± 0.028 and varied among years.  Successful breeders were more likely than failed breeders to skip the next breeding season.  Estimates of all demographic rates except recruitment were similar to estimates for Laysan Albatrosses from Midway in the 1960s despite differences in methodology.  This information can help measure population dynamics, breeding population sizes, population trends, and efficacy of conservation actions." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_kaena_point_2__lindsay_young.jpg) Laysan Albatross pair with their chick at Kaena Point Photograph by Lindsay Young **Reference:** VanderWerf, E.A & Young, L.C. 2011.  Estimating survival and life-stage transitions in the Laysan Albatross (*Phoebastria immutabilis*) using multistate mark-recapture models.  *[The Auk](http://www.bioone.org/loi/tauk)* 128: 726-736. With thanks to Eric Vanderwerf for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 November 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/survival-and-life-stage-transitions-of-kaena-points-laysan-albatrosses.md) ## Comparing bird-scaring line designs to keep albatrosses away from trawler warp cables in the South Atlantic K.R.S. Snell and colleagues, writing on-line in the journal *[Polar Biology](http://www.springerlink.com/content/0722-4060/)*, have compared bird-scaring lines on South Atlantic trawlers. The paper's abstract follows: "Fisheries-related mortality of globally threatened albatrosses and petrels in the Falkland Islands [(Islas Malvinas)*] is largely attributed to collisions with warp cables on stern trawlers.  Following the introduction [of] Tori lines, also known as bird-scaring lines, in 2004, incidental mortality has been substantially reduced.  However, there is still a requirement for further development and optimisation of mitigation methods.  In this paper, we present results of sea trials to compare the efficacy of a modified Tori line design with the initial (2004) design.  The modified design resulted in 28 and 33% fewer warp contacts than the 2004 design for all species, and high-risk species (black-browed albatross and giant petrels), respectively.  Surprisingly, these differences were not found to be statistically significant.  However,the modified design was more effective at reducing interactions with the Tori lines themselves.  The modified design provided better coverage and protection of the warps, particularly in crosswinds, and was safer for the crew to use.  Our study highlights the importance of continued research and development in the field of bycatch mitigation and has relevance for trawl fisheries globally." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/patagonian_trawler_ juan_pablo_seco_ pon.jpg) Fishing trawler in the South Atlantic Photograph by Juan Pablo Seco Pon **Reference:** Snell, K.R.S., Brickle, P. & Wolfaardt, A.C. 2011.  Refining Tori lines to further reduce seabird mortality associated with demersal trawlers in the South Atlantic.  *Polar Biology *[DOI 10.1007/s00300-011-1113-z](http://www.springerlink.com/content/e4463x151w508352/fulltext.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 November 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/comparing-bird-scaring-line-designs-to-keep-albatrosses-away-from-trawler-warp-cables-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## How do albatrosses fly around the world without flapping their wings? Philip Richardson (Department of Physical Oceanography, [Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution](http://www.whoi.edu/), USA) writing earlier this year in the journal *[Progress in Oceanography](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00796611)* has watched albatrosses at sea and pondered exactly how they keep aloft without flapping. The paper's abstract follows: "Albatrosses fly long distances over the Southern Ocean, even around the world, almost without flapping their wings; this has raised interest in how they perform such a feat.  On a cruise to the South Atlantic I observed albatrosses soaring in a characteristic swooping zigzag flight that appears to combine two soaring techniques to gain energy-wind-shear soaring (dynamic soaring) using the vertical gradient of wind velocity and wave-slope soaring using updrafts over waves.  The observed characteristic swooping flight is shown in a new illustration and interpreted in terms of the two soaring techniques.  The energy gain estimated for "typical conditions" in the Southern Ocean suggests that wind-shear soaring provides around 80-90% of the total energy required for sustained soaring.  A much smaller percentage is provided by wind shear in light winds and significant swell when wave-slope soaring dominates.  A simple dynamical model of wind-shear soaring is proposed based on the concept of a bird flying across a sharp wind-shear layer as first described by Lord Rayleigh in 1883 and later developed with [Pennycuick's (2002)](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079661110001072#ref_b0070) description of albatrosses "gust soaring."  In gust soaring a bird exploits structures in the wind field, such as separated boundary layers and eddies in the lee of wave crests, to obtain energy by climbing headed upwind and descending headed downwind across a thin wind-shear layer.  Benefits of the model are that it is simple to understand, it captures the essential dynamics of wind-shear soaring, and it provides reasonable estimates of the minimum wind shear required for travel velocity in different directions with respect to the wind.  Travel velocities, given in a travel velocity polar diagram, can be combined with tacking to fly in an upwind direction faster than the wind speed located at the top of the wind-shear layer." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg) A Wandering Albatross glides over the sea surface. Photograph by Warwick Barnes **Reference:** Richardson, P.A. 2011.  How do albatrosses fly around the world without flapping their wings?  *[Progress in Oceanography](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079661110001072)* 88: 46-58. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/how-do-albatrosses-fly-around-the-world-without-flapping-their-wings.md) ## Modelling the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project. What are the likely gains and risks? Ben Raymond ([Australian Antarctic Division](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/)) and colleagues have modelled the possible outcomes of eradicating introduced mammals on Australia's sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, home of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, publishing in the *[Journal of Applied Ecology](http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/view/0/index.html)*early this year. The paper's summary follows: "1. Invaded ecosystems present complex management issues.  This problem is exacerbated in many situations by a lack of knowledge about the ecosystem.  However, delaying conservation action to collect further data and so reduce such uncertainty is often either impractical or inadvisable. 2. The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project, currently underway, is attempting to eradicate rabbits, rats, and mice from the island.  We undertook qualitative modelling of this project, examining a range of likely outcomes and their possible ecological consequences.  The results were aggregated across a large number of possible models, in order to account for uncertainty concerning interactions within the ecosystem. 3. The results strongly support the current actions of simultaneous eradication of all three pest species, as simulated eradications of only one or two generally led to continued impacts on the island's native biota.  The results also provided support for the anticipated positive outcomes of the project, with predicted recoveries of tall tussock vegetation, and burrow- and surface-nesting seabirds. 4. However, the model predictions also highlighted potential risks: the eradication of mice from the island may not succeed, due in part to the structural position of this species within the ecosystem.  Successful eradication of all three target species could potentially release the self-introduced, non-native redpolls and starlings, allowing expansion of their populations, with possible impacts on macro-invertebrates and vegetation. 5. *Synthesis and applications.*  These results demonstrate that qualitative modelling approaches can in some cases deliver consistent results, despite high levels of uncertainty regarding interactions within the underlying ecosystem.  Such outcomes can provide assistance in the development of strategic contingency plans and ongoing future management action." **Reference:** Raymond, B., McInnes, J., Dambacher, J.M., Way, S. & Bergstrom, D.M. 2011.  Qualitative modelling of invasive species eradication on subantarctic Macquarie Island.  [*Journal of Applied Ecology* 48: 181-191](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01916.x/pdf). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/Black_Browed_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg) Black-browed Albatrosses breed at Macquarie Island. Photograph by Aleks Terauds [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/macquarie-island-alien-mammal-eradication-programme-going-well-nearly-two-thirds-of-the-island-baited) to read the latest on *ACAP Latest News* about the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=13013):  no rodents have been seen post-baiting so far. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/modelling-the-macquarie-island-pest-eradication-project-what-are-the-likely-gains-and-risks.md) ## Removal of introduced Reindeer from a Southern Ocean island will help White-chinned Petrels Reindeer *Rangifer tarandus*have been introduced to Kerguelen Island in the southern Indian Ocean, and also to South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the South Atlantic, where they cause severe impacts to native vegetation.  On the latter island Reindeer are a threat to the burrow-nesting White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis* by their trampling and denudation of vegetation, with most birds now occurring in areas free of Reindeer and rodents. Darren Christie, writing in *[Aliens](http://www.issg.org/index.html)*, has looked in detail at the impact and management of Reindeer in the South Atlantic. The paper's shortened abstract follows: "South Georgia is a subantarctic island with a native flora that has evolved in the absence of grazing animals, and as a consequence copes poorly with grazing pressure.  Reindeer are a northern hemisphere species that were introduced by Norwegian whalers for subsistence to two discreet areas of South Georgia on three occasions between 1909-1925.  Combined, the areas occupied by reindeer equate to the largest snow free, and consequently most biologically productive, part of the island.  Subsequent to their introduction, the reindeer herds were managed through regular hunts.  Since the closure of the whaling stations in the 1960's no management of the herds has occurred, and as a consequence the herds have expanded substantially, to the point where nearly all available grazing habitat has been utilised.  The boundaries of these areas are limited by glaciers, which prevent the animals spread to the island as a whole.  Climate change and the consequent recession of glaciers, combined with the detrimental impact of reindeer on native vegetation, through overgrazing, trampling, soil erosion, loss of native biodiversity and increased distribution of introduced plants, has required that the management of the herds as a whole be discussed and decided upon as a matter of urgency." In line with a broader policy of habitat restoration, which includes invasive plant eradication and support for an island-wide [rodent eradication programme](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/still-no-rats-seen-after-the-poison-bait-drop-on-south-georgiaislas-georgias-del-sur) it was announced in February this year that that the island's Reindeer will be eradicated in line with responsible environmental management practices and following a stakeholder consultation based around a [review](http://www.sgisland.gs/download/South%20Georgia%20Reindeer%20Management.pdf ) of all published scientific literature pertaining to Reindeer on South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*.  [Click here](http://www.sgisland.gs/download/Management%20of%20introduced%20reindeer%20on%20South%20Georgia.pdf) to access the management decision. **Reference:** Christie, D. 2011.  Introduced reindeer on South Georgia - their impact and management.  [*Aliens* 31: 24-29](http://www.issg.org/pdf/aliens_newsletters/A31.pdf). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white-chinned petrel_by_Ben Palan.jpg) White-chinned Petrels.  Photograph by Ben Phalan  *[Aliens: The Invasive Species Bulletin](http://www.issg.org/publications.htm)* is theNewsletter of the IUCN/SSC (World Conservation Union's Species Survival Commission) Invasive Species Specialist Group.  All 31 issues (since 1995) of the newsletter are available *gratis*on-line.   The ISSG also has a [Facebook Page](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Agreement-on-the-Conservation-of-Albatrosses-and-Petrels/153904041336670#!/pages/Invasive-Species-Specialist-Group-ISSG/208314625853141). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 November 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/removal-of-introduced-reindeer-from-a-southern-ocean-island-will-help-white-chinned-petrels.md) ## Japanese fishing master wins WWF Smart Gear prizes for double-weight branch line to save albatrosses and petrels The prize-winning entries for the [WWF 2011 International Smart Gear Competition](http://www.smartgear.org/)** **were [announced](http://www.smartgear.org/?202379/Smart-Gear-2011-Seabirds-off-the-Hook) at the [Pacific Marine Expo](http://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/11/public/enter.aspx) in Seattle, Washington, USA on 17 November this year.  Winning both the Grand Prize (US$ 30 000) and this year's Special Tuna Prize (US$ 7500) from the [International Seafood Sustainability Foundation](http://iss-foundation.org/) (a coalition of tuna processors, leading scientists and WWF) was an entry from Captain Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Fishing Master of the tuna longline vessel *Fukuseki Maru No 5.* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/kazuhiro_yamazaki_by_ed_melvin.jpg) Captain Kazuhiro Yamazaki Photograph by Ed Melvin His design is called the ‘Yamazaki Double-Weight Branchline' and works by increasing the sinking rate of pelagic longlines, making it more difficult for seabirds to get caught on the baited hooks.  It also reduces injuries and fatalities to fishing crew caused by rapidly recoiling weights and hooks.  Used in conjunction with bird-scaring (Tori) lines and night setting it can reduce seabird mortality during pelagic longlining by 89%, based on research conducted in the South African tuna joint venture fishery. "The Yamazaki Double-Weight Branchline is an innovation that meshes practicality and safety with function and conservation and breaks down the barriers to the adoption of branchline weighting as a seabird bycatch mitigation measures in world tuna commissions (RFMOs) and in domestic fisheries." Yamazaki-san was at sea fishing in the Indian Ocean at the time of the Expo and so was unavailable to accept his awards in person.  However, Mr. Tokuichi Nishikawa, Chairman of Fukusekimaru Fisheries, accepted the award on his behalf from Dr John Stein, Acting Science Director of the [Northwest Science Center](http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/), NOAA Fisheries Service in Seattle.  Mr Yoshida of the Federation of Japan Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Associations(Japan Tuna) translated Nishikawa-san's acceptance speech. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/People/nakmurastein_wwf_smart_gear_by_scott matsuda.jpg) Mr. Tokuichi Nishikawa accepts the award from Dr John Stein Photograph by Scott Matsuda [Click here](http://www.smartgear.org/smartgear_winners/2011/grand_prize/) to read a detailed description and view an illustration of the Double-Weight Branchline. Previous winners ([click here](http://www.smartgear.org/smartgear_winners/)) of the WWF Smart Gear Competition since 2005, currently held at two-year intervals, include Graham Robertson (Australia) in 2009 for the Underwater Baited Hook, Diego Gonzalez Zevallos (Argentina) in 2007 for the use of traffic cones on trawler warp cables to increase visibility to birds and Chris Carey (New Zealand) in 2006 for his Flying Bottlebrush, also designed to deter birds from warp cables. With thanks to Ed Melvin and Mike Osmond for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 November 2011, updated 29 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/japanese-fishing-master-wins-wwf-smart-gear-prizes-for-double-weight-branch-line-to-save-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## CCAMLR progresses towards Marine Protected Areas in the Southern Ocean After two weeks of negotiations in Hobart, Australia on 4 November 2011 the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources ([CCAMLR](http://www.ccamlr.org/)) adopted a conservation measure to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean. The Commission adopted Conservation Measure 91-04 ‘General Framework for the Establishment of CCAMLR Marine Protected Areas'.  Under this framework CCAMLR MPAs designated by the Commission shall be established by conservation measures with reference to this measure and following advice from the Scientific Committee. Both New Zealand and the USA put forward proposals for an MPA in the Ross Sea region.  However, neither was endorsed.  Both countries then confirmed their willingness to undertake further consultation with Members and encouraged all interested parties to engage in these discussions with the intention of bringing forward proposals for MPAs to the Commission in 2012.  [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/antarcticas-ross-sea-may-become-a-marine-protected-area) to read an earlier news item on a Ross Sea MPA. Australia and France also presented a proposal for a representative system of MPAs for the whole East Antarctic planning domain.  They expressed their intention to prepare a conservation measure for this system for consideration by the Commission in 2012. Following a one-year break, CCAMLR's Working Group on Incidental Mortality (WG-IMAF) met in Hobart prior to this year's Commission meeting ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/ccamlrs-incidental-mortality-associated-with-fishing-working-group-hears-of-fewer-birds-killed-in-the-french-southern-island-eezs)). In addition to reviewing issues associated with incidental mortality, the group also met to make recommendations on its own future, following its success in virtually eliminating seabird bycatch by legal fisheries within the CCAMLR Area. Although CCAMLR has been very successful in addressing seabird bycatch in its area of responsibility, it was noted that seabird by-catch outside the Convention Area still presents a significant risk to Convention Area seabirds.  The CCAMLR Commission encouraged all Members that are engaged in fisheries management bodies in areas adjacent to the Convention Area to implement best-practice mitigation to reduce seabird by-catch. Observing that WG-IMAF will no longer meet annually, but on an 'as required' basis, ACAP's Executive Secretary noted that continuing close coordination between the Secretariats will be essential if ACAP is to provide expert advice on issues being addressed by the CCAMLR Scientific Committee and the Commission.  The Commission endorsed the comments of the Executive Secretary. [Click here](http://www.ccamlr.org/pu/e/e_pubs/cr/cc30-advance-copy.pdf) to read an advance copy of the report of the 30th Meeting of the Commission. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white_chinned_petrel_hooked_by nicolas_gasco.jpg "Numbers of hooked White-chinned Petrels are down in CCAMLR fisheries. Photograph by Nicolas Gasco") For more reports on CCAMLR's 2011 meetings go to: [http://www.fishnewseu.com/latest-news/world/6993-ccamlr-makes-progress-on-illegal-fishing-and-marine-ecosystems-protection-in-the-antarctic.html](http://www.fishnewseu.com/latest-news/world/6993-ccamlr-makes-progress-on-illegal-fishing-and-marine-ecosystems-protection-in-the-antarctic.html) and [http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/12704](http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/12704). The 2011 meetings of the CCAMLR Scientific Committee and Commission were attended by Warren Papworth, ACAP's Executive Secretary *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/ccamlr-progresses-towards-marine-protected-areas-in-the-southern-ocean.md) ## ICCAT Commission meeting adopts a supplemental seabird recommendation in the South Atlantic The 22nd Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ([ICCAT](http://www.iccat.es/en/)) concluded on 19 November in Istanbul, Turkey ([click here](http://www.iccat.es/Documents/Meetings/COMM2011/PRESS-REL2011_ENG.pdf) for the press release). A key outcome from the meeting towards the improved conservation of albatrosses and petrels was the adoption of a **Supplemental Recommendation** to reduce the incidental bycatch of seabirds in ICCAT longline fisheries. The recommendation, which was successfully proposed by the European Union, Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa and the United Kingdom, requires the mandatory use of at least two of three bycatch mitigation measures, either deploying a bird-scaring (Tori) line, line weighting or night setting, south of 25° South in the Atlantic Ocean.   ICCAT's existing **Recommendation by ICCAT on Reducing Incidental By-Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries** ([07-07](http://www.iccat.es/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2007-07-e.pdf)) will continue to apply in the area between 20° to 25°S.  This earlier recommendation requires the use of a bird-scaring line only, so the change is considered a step towards best practice. The **Supplemental Recommendation** also provides for a fisheries impact assessment to be undertaken in 2015 to evaluate the efficacy of these mitigation measures in reducing seabird bycatch. The implementation of this recommendation by ICCAT will significantly increase the level of protection offered to seabirds in the South Atlantic, and in particular to the [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3952) Wandering *Diomedea exulans* and [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3959) Black-browed *Thalassarche melanophris* Albatross populations of South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* and the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatrosses *D. dabbenena* of Gough and Inaccessible Islands in the Tristan da Cunha group. These three populations were identified as priority ones for conservation at the recent ACAP's Sixth Advisory Committee meeting, held in Guayaquil, Ecuador ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-report) for its final report).  See also [http://www.acap.aq/latest-news/four-species-of-albatrosses-are-at-risk-to-tuna-fisheries-in-the-atlantic-ocean](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/four-species-of-albatrosses-are-at-risk-to-tuna-fisheries-in-the-atlantic-ocean). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_female_by_John_Cooper2.jpg "Tristan Albatross - female incubating on Gough Island. Photograph by John Cooper") The Commission also included in its 2012-13 budget funds for the recruitment of a by-catch coordinator in the ICCAT Secretariat. ACAP was represented at the ICCAT meeting in Turkey by its Executive Secretary, Warren Papworth. **References:** ICCAT 2011.** **Supplemental Recommendation by ICCAT on Reducing Incidental Bycatch of Seabirds in ICCAT Longline Fisheries.** **Doc. No. PA4-813A / 2011.  5 pp. Tuck, G.N., Phillips, R.A., Small, C., Thomson, R.B., Klaer, N.L., Taylor, F., Wanless, R.M. & Arrizabalaga, H. 2011.  An assessment of seabird-fishery interactions in the Atlantic Ocean.  [*ICES Journal of Marine Science* 68: 1628-1637](http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/68/8/1628.short). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 November 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/iccat-commission-meeting-adopts-a-supplemental-seabird-recommendation-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## Tracking Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses in different directions with the Tagging of Pelagic Predators programme Barbara Block (Biology Department, [Hopkins Marine Station](http://www-marine.stanford.edu/), Stanford University, California, USA) and colleagues writing in the journal *Nature*, have analysed results from the TOPP ([Tagging of Pelagic Predators](http://www.topp.org/)) programme, including the at-sea tracking of Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* and Black-footed *P. nigripes*Albatrosses and Sooty Shearwaters *Puffinus griseus* in the Pacific Ocean ([click here](http://www.topp.org/blog/topp_publishes_findings_nature)). The paper's abstract follows: "Pelagic marine predators face unprecedented challenges and uncertain futures.  Overexploitation and climate variability impact the abundance and distribution of top predators in ocean ecosystems.  Improved understanding of ecological patterns, evolutionary constraints and ecosystem function is critical for preventing extinctions, loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystem services.  Recent advances in electronic tagging techniques have provided the capacity to observe the movements and long-distance migrations of animals in relation to ocean processes across a range of ecological scales.  Tagging of Pacific Predators, a field programme of the Census of Marine Life, deployed 4,306 tags on 23 species in the North Pacific Ocean, resulting in a tracking data set of unprecedented scale and species diversity that covers 265,386 tracking days from 2000 to 2009.  Here we report migration pathways, link ocean features to multispecies hotspots and illustrate niche partitioning within and among congener guilds.  Our results indicate that the California Current large marine ecosystem and the North Pacific transition zone attract and retain a diverse assemblage of marine vertebrates.  Within the California Current large marine ecosystem, several predator guilds seasonally undertake north-south migrations that may be driven by oceanic processes, species-specific thermal tolerances and shifts in prey distributions.  We identify critical habitats across multinational boundaries and show that top predators exploit their environment in predictable ways, providing the foundation for spatial management of large marine ecosystems." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_black-footed_midway_by_eric_vanderwerf.jpg) Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses flying along the shoreline at Midway Atoll Photograph by Eric Vanderwerf From an [on-line report](http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__10965) on the *Nature* article in *Birdwatch* magazine: "Laysan and Black-footed Albatross showed different migratory directions despite often sharing the same Hawaiian breeding colonies, perhaps caused by the birds' ability to differentiate between seasonal changes and concentrations of food sources related to ocean temperature.  Laysan Albatross largely foraged in the north-western pacific after dispersal, whereas Black-footed tended towards the north-east, and though there was substantial overlap in the central Pacific zone, it is clear that each species' niche is largely separate." **Reference:** Block, B.A., Jonsen, I.D., Jorgensen, S.J., Winship, A.J., Shaffer, S.A., Bograd, S.J., Hazen, E.L., Foley, D.G., Breed, G.A., Harrison, A.-L., Ganong, J.E., Swithenbank, A., Castleton, A.M., Dewar, H., Mate, B.R., Shillinger, G.L., Schaefer, K.M., Benson, S.R., Weise, M.J., Henry, R.W. & Costa, D.P. 2011.  Tracking apex marine predator movements in a dynamic ocean.  [*Nature* 475: 86-90](http://gtopp.org/images/stories/publications/nature10082%20Published%20Version.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/tracking-black-footed-and-laysan-albatrosses-in-different-directions-with-the-tagging-of-pelagic-predators-programme.md) ## Helping threatened shearwaters: the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean moves towards adopting seabird mitigation measures The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean ([GFCM](http://www.gfcm.org/gfcm/en)) following a proposal from the European Union adopted at its [35th Session](http://151.1.154.86/GfcmWebSite/docs/Reports/GFCM35e.pdf) held in Rome, Italy in May this year **Recommendation** [GFCM/35/2011/3](http://151.1.154.86/GfcmWebSite/docs/RecRes/GFCM_2011_RecRes_en.pdf)**on Reducing Incidental By-catch of Seabirds in Fisheries in the GFCM Competence Area.** Whereas the recommendation does not specify any mandatory mitigation measures it does state that "Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-contracting Parties of GFCM (CPCs) should develop mechanisms to ensure that incidental taking of seabirds in fishing activities is monitored, recorded and kept to the lowest level as possible in particular for species under the Annex II of the SPA/BD protocol of the Barcelona Convention." It further requests that advice be obtained on the technical details, feasibility, likely effectiveness and side effects of the following options for the mitigation of seabird by-catch in Mediterranean fisheries: Setting of demersal and/or pelagic longlines only at night (one hour after dusk and one hour before dawn); Prohibition to set demersal and/or pelagic longlines one hour after dawn till noon; Use of bird-scaring lines and wrap [sic, assume "warp" meant] scares, in case of longlines setting during the day; Setting of a minimum bait weight Use of only thawed baits conditioning instead of frozen baits; Discards and excess bait shall not be rejected at sea during setting or hauling operations; Setting of a minimum distance to set bottom-set nets from sea-birds breeding areas. The adoption of mitigation measures in Mediterranean longline fisheries should help conserve the three shearwater species that breed within the region.  They are the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) (and ACAP candidate) Balearic *Puffinus mauretanicus*, Yelkouan *P. yelkouan* and Cory's *Calonectris diomedea*. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Yelkouan/Yelkouan_Shearwater_Alex_Olle.JPG "Yelkouan Shearwater: endemic to the Mediterranean. Photograph by Alex Olle") These three taxa are listed on Annex II of the [Barcelona Convention](http://www.unep.ch/regionalseas/regions/med/t_barcel.htm) (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean) [Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity](http://195.97.36.231/dbases/webdocs/BCP/ProtocolSPA9596_eng_p.pdf) in the Mediterranean. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents) to access the ACAP Species Assessment (as AC6 Doc 31) for the Balearic Shearwater, also endemic to the Mediterranean, which is expected to be listed as an ACAP Species at the Fourth Session of the Meeting of Parties, to be held in Lima, Peru in April next year. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/helping-threatened-shearwaters-the-general-fisheries-commission-for-the-mediterranean-moves-towards-adopting-seabird-mitigation-measures.md) ## Pacific Seabird Group Annual Meeting, Hawaii, February 2012: session themes and plenary speakers announced The [Pacific Seabird Group](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/) will hold its [38th Annual Meeting](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=meeting&t=Annual Meeting&s=1) with the general theme of tropical seabirds on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, USA from 7-10 February 2012.  The venue will be the [Turtle Bay Resort and Golf Club](http://www.turtlebayresort.com/), situated in a protected bay along the North Shore. Information on plenary speakers and the Special Paper Sessions is now available ([click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=ProgramInformation&t=Program Information&s=1)). The four Special Paper Sessions and their Convenors are: - Tropical Seabird Biology and Conservation:  David Hyrenbach and Scott Shaffer - Where Seabirds and Tuna Meet: Biology and Management of Subsurface Predator Facilitated Foraging:  Sara Maxwell, Lance Morgan and Peter Kappes - Biology and Conservation of Hawai`i's Endemic Seabirds: Hawaiian Petrel *Pterodroma sandwichensis* and Newell's Shearwater *Puffinus newelli*:  Helen James and Nick Holmes. - Seabirds, Marine Spatial Planning, and Impacts of Renewable Energy Development in the California Current Ecosystem:  Jeannette Zamon. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/newells_shearwater_sep_2011_eric_vanderwerf.jpg) Newell's Shearwater: subject of a Special Paper Session Photograph by Eric Vanderwerf The thre [Plenaries](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=PlenarySpeakers&t=Plenary Speakers&s=1) will be given by Jeffrey Polovina, Chief of the Ecosystem and Oceanography Division at NOAA Fisheries [Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center](http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/) in Honolulu, Hawaii, Matthieu Le Corre, Professor at [L'Université de La Réunion](http://www.univ-reunion.fr/) and Deputy Director of the Marine Ecology Laboratory of Réunion and ACAP's Information Officer, John Cooper, who is a Research Associate of the [DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology](http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/) at Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa. Information on field excursions and the programme schedule is also available on the [meeting web site](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=meeting&t=Annual Meeting&s=1).  The deadlines for submitting abstracts and applying for travel funds have now passed. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_kaena_point_1__lindsay_young.jpg) Laysan Albatrosses get familiar at Kaena Point: site of a meeting field trip Photograph by Lindsay Young The Local Program Chair is Lindsay Young, ACAP's North Pacific News Correspondent. Lastly, "[d]ress and attire in Hawaii is very casual and virtually anything goes.  Suits are only worn by the governor and those on job interviews from the mainland".  We have been warned! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pacific-seabird-group-annual-meeting-hawaii-february-2012-session-themes-and-plenary-speakers-announced.md) ## Convention on Migratory Species adopts resolutions on bycatch in gill nets and on marine debris The Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) held its 10th Meeting of the Conference of Parties ([COP10](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/documents_overview.htm)) in Bergen, Norway over 20-25 November this year. Two resolutions on marine debris and on gill net bycatch adopted at the meeting have the potential to improve the conservation status of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, as well as of threatened species of shearwaters.  Following deliberations and revision by the Marine Issues Working Group, the marine debris ([UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.4/Rev2 Marine Debris](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/amendments_draft_res/Res_10_04_Rev2_Marine_debris_E.pdf)) and the gill net ([UNEP/CMS/Res.10.14/Rev.2 Bycatch of CMS-listed Species in Gillnet Fisheries](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/amendments_draft_res/Res_10_14_Rev2_Gillnet_Bycatch_E.pdf)) resolutions were adopted on the last day of the Conference of Parties. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_corpse2_midway_chris_jordan.jpg) Not just a pile of plastic: this is actually a corpse of a Laysan Albatross chick killed by ingesting marine debris Photograph by Chris Jordan [UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.10/Rev.2 Guidance on Global Flyway Conservation and Options for Policy Arrangements ](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/amendments_draft_res/Res_10_10_Rev2_Flyways_E.pdf)adopted at the meeting also has specific relevance to the Albatross and Petrel Agreement as shown by the following extract: "17.6.1  Support the enhanced implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, and the development, strengthening and implementation of bycatch mitigation and monitoring measures by relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organizations. 17.6.2  Ask the Secretariat to organize an initial workshop (resources permitting) to scope out options and to define the conservation needs of seabirds not covered under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses. 17.6.3  Promote the management of seabirds in the Antarctic region, including with the Antarctic Treaty and other bodies." Several other resolutions adopted at the CMS meeting have relevance to the conservation of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels or to threatened shearwaters.  These include: - [UNEP/CMS/Resolution 10.11/Rev.1 Power Lines and Migratory Birds](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/amendments_draft_res/Res_10_11_Rev1_Power_lines_E.pdf) - [UNEP/CMS/Res.10.22/Rev.1 Wildlife Disease and Migratory Species](http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/draft_res_and_rec/amendments_draft_res/Res_10_22_Rev1_Diseases_E.pdf) For earlier news stories on the CMS meeting visit: [http://www.acap.aq/latest-news/convention-on-migratory-species-to-consider-draft-resolutions-on-marine-debris-and-gill-netting-at-its-10th-conference-of-parties-in-november](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/convention-on-migratory-species-to-consider-draft-resolutions-on-marine-debris-and-gill-netting-at-its-10th-conference-of-parties-in-november) [http://www.acap.aq/latest-news/convention-on-migratory-species-reviews-bycatch-in-gill-net-fisheries-short-tailed-and-waved-albatrosses-at-high-risk](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/convention-on-migratory-species-reviews-bycatch-in-gill-net-fisheries-short-tailed-and-waved-albatrosses-at-high-risk) The Albatross and Petrel Agreement was represented at the CMS COP10 by its Technical Advisor and Chair of its Advisory Committee's Seabird Bycatch Working Group, Barry Baker of Australia.  Barry also serves as the CMS-appointed Scientific Councillor for Bycatch and at COP10 chaired the Marine Issues Working Group. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/convention-on-migratory-species-adopts-resolutions-on-bycatch-in-gill-nets-and-on-marine-debris.md) ## The Northern Royal Albatrosses at New Zealand's Taiaroa Head get well looked after The Northern Royal Albatrosses *Diomedea sanfordi* that breed on [Taiaroa Head](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiaroa_Head) at the tip of the Otago Peninsula on New Zealand's South Island make up one the very few albatross colonies accessible to the general public without having to join a special (and usually expensive) expedition. The albatrosses at Taiaroa Head (a [Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) Nature Reserve), unlike at more isolated island colonies, are intensively managed.  For example, some chicks are given supplementary feeds by the [Royal Albatross Centre](http://www.albatross.org.nz/); these include fluids, vitamin supplements and fish.  Trapping of mammalian predators is ongoing in the colony with 119 rats *Rattus* sp., eight Stoats *Mustela erminea*, four domestic cats *Felis catus* and 12 Common Brushtail Possums *Trichosurus vulpecula* being caught over the last year. Two fledglings from the last (2010/11) breeding season have been rescued from the Otago Harbour near the colony.  One was returned to the colony from where it successfully flew a few days later, the other was released directly out to sea.  [Click here](http://www.albatross.org.nz/news) to view pictures of the two rescues. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/N/Northern_Royal/Northern_Royal_Albatross_500th_chick_by_Lyndon_Perriman.jpg "A Northern Royal Albatross broods its downy chick at Taiaroa Head. Photograph by Lyndon Perriman") Meanwhile adult birds have been returning for the latest breeding season, with 85 colour-banded birds "clocked in" so far.  Red-Orange-Blue (ROB) was the first to return on 13 September, touching down on the spot where he had previously bred.  ROB is a 27-year old male.  Six years passed between the death of his first partner and his breeding attempts with a second partner.  A couple of years later he was bereaved again but found a third partner after two more years. Unfortunately she also died and since 2007 ROB has been on his own.  ROB was also the first bird to arrive back for the 2010/11 season. By late November 30 eggs had been laid in the colony.  In the previous season 24 eggs were laid, of which all hatched ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/latest-news-from-albatross-public-viewing-opportunities-in-new-zealand)) with 22 surviving into August. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-northern-royal-albatrosses-at-new-zealands-taiaroa-head-get-well-looked-after.md) ## Salvin's Albatrosses on The Snares are annual breeders Paul Sagar ([National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research](http://www.niwa.co.nz/), Christchurch, New Zealand) and colleagues have recently published on aspects of the population biology of Salvin's Albatross *Thalassarche salvini*, a relatively little-studied [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3962) species, in the journal*[Notornis](http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/).* The paper's abstract follows: **"**We investigated the population size and annual survival of Salvin's albatrosses (*Thalassarche salvini*) breeding at the Western Chain, The Snares, New Zealand.  A count of breeding pairs during incubation resulted in totals of 1100-1200 breeding annually on Toru and Rima Islets in the 3 years 2008-2010; none was seen breeding on Tahi, Rua or Wha Islets.  The majority of adults bred annually.  Based on banding and recapture the annual survival probability of breeding birds was estimated to be 0.967 while that of known-age birds banded as chicks in Feb 1986 was estimated at 0.939.  A bird banded as a chick on the Bounty Is in 1985 was found breeding on Toru Islet of the Western Chain in the 3 years 2008-2010.  This is the first record of a banded Salvin's albatross breeding away from its natal island." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Salvins/Salvins_flying-by Aleks Terauds.jpg) Salvin's Albatross at sea Photograph by Aleks Terauds **Reference:** Sagar, P.M., Charteris, M.R., Carroll, J.W.A. & Scofield, R.P. 2011.  Population size, breeding frequency and survival of Salvin's albatrosses (*Thalassarche salvini*) at the Western Chain, The Snares, New Zealand. [*Notornis*58:57-63](http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/population-size-breeding-frequency-and-survival-salvins-albatrosses-thalassarche-salvini-western-cha). With thanks to Matt Rayner, ACAP's Australasian News Correspondent, for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/salvins-albatrosses-on-the-snares-are-annual-breeders.md) ## New Zealand's Hoki Trawl Fishery is up for Marine Stewardship Council re-certification. What does it do to save seabirds? New Zealand's [trawl fishery](http://www.msc.org/documents/fisheries-factsheets/FFS%20-%20New%20Zealand%20Hoki%20-%20FINAL%20A4.pdf) for Hoki *Macruronus novaezelandiae*, the country's largest marine-capture fishery, was first accredited by the [Marine Stewardship Council](http://www.msc.org/) as environmentally friendly in 2001 and then [re-certified](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/certified/pacific/new-zealand-hoki) in 2006.  The fishery is now undergoing its [second re-certification](http://www.msc.org/newsroom/news/new-zealand-hoki-fishery-enters-re-assessment-for-msc-certification?fromsearch=1&isnewssearch=1). "Hoki is an offshore midwater fish, widely distributed but abundant at depths between 200-600 m throughout New Zealand waters.  It's also known as whiptail, blue hake or blue grenadier.  Hoki are fast growing fish, males may grow up to about 112 cm long, and females up to 130 cm long and 7 kg in weight.  Hoki live naturally to about 20-25 years and they feed on shrimps, small fish and squid." "NZ hoki are caught using pelagic trawls (mid-water) during the winter spawning season, and bottom trawls at other times of year.  The main fishing grounds for NZ hoki are on the Chatham Rise (east of the South Island) and in the Sub-Antarctic and seasonally off the West Coast of the South Island, in Cook Strait.  The volume of hoki taken from this fishery varies depending on the allowable catch set by the NZ Ministry of Fisheries each year.  Last fishing year ended September 2011 the fishery produced nearly 120,000 mt, and this figure has been upgraded to 130,000 mt this coming year as a result of the rebuilding of stocks in recent times." In order to reduce incidental mortality of albatrosses and petrels, Hoki mid-water and bottom trawlers have been required since March last year to adopt one of three mitigation measures as set out in **Seabird Scaring Devices Circular 2010** by the [New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/default.htm) and published in the *New Zealand Gazette*.  The three measures are deployment of paired bird-scaring (streamer or Tori) lines, a bird baffler or a warp deflector; all of which are described in detail and depicted in the Circular. The Circular applies to all vessels 28 metres or greater in overall length that use a trawl net in New Zealand fisheries waters.  The chosen mitigation device must be carried aboard and deployed as soon as is practicable after the shooting of the net, and must remain deployed for as long as practicable prior to the net being brought back on board the vessel. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_13_Fig1.jpg) **Reference:** Seabird Scaring Devices Circular 2010 (No. F517).  [*New Zealand Gazette*, No. 29.  11 March 2010.  pp. 763-767](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental/Seabirds/default.htm). For more information on Hoki go to [http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=182](http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=182). With thanks to Matt Rayner, ACAP Australasian News Correspondent for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-zealands-hoki-trawl-fishery-is-up-for-marine-stewardship-council-re-certification-what-does-it-do-to-save-seabirds.md) ## Rapid recovery of vegetation following aerial poison baiting on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island Justine Shaw, Aleks Terauds and Dana Bergstrom of the [Australian Antarctic Division](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/) have studied what's been happening to the vegetation at Australia's Macquarie Island after the poison bait drops that commenced last year to remove European Rabbits *Oryctolagus cuniculus*, Black or Ship Rats *Rattus rattus* and House Mice *Mus musculus*, publishing their findings this month in the journal *[Ecological Management & Restoration](http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=1442-7001&site=1).* The paper's summary follows "Introduced rabbits have severely impacted the terrestrial ecosystem of sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.  Here we describe first observations of rapid recovery of an important plant species following the commencement of a vertebrate pest eradication plan.  The tussock grass *Poa foliosa*, a major component of the Macquarie Island landscape, has been severely impacted by rabbit grazing with large-scale reductions in cover across the island observed at times over the last 50 years.  Preliminary aerial baiting for rabbits and rodents commenced in winter 2010, and within 6 months, we observed substantial regrowth of tussock grass.  The rapid re-emergence of this grass over such a short time period following localised removal of rabbits has positive implications for the island's recovery and provides insight for restoration monitoring." *Poa foliosa* provides important breeding habitat for many seabirds on Macquarie Island, including the ACAP-listed Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris* and several species of burrowing petrels.  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black_browed_albatross_chick_macquarie_aleks_terauds.jpg) A Black-browed Albatross chick among  tussock grass on Macquarie's coastal slopes  in 2003 Photograph by Aleks Terauds No rodents have been seen since this year's complete-island bait drop by the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project ([MIPEP](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013)) on "Macca", and only a few remaining rabbits have been hunted down and killed post-drop ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/macquarie-island-alien-mammal-eradication-programme-going-well-nearly-two-thirds-of-the-island-baited)). **Reference:** Shaw, J., Terauds, A. & Bergstrom, D. 2011.  Rapid commencement of ecosystem recovery following aerial baiting on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.  [*Ecological Management & Restoration* 12: 241-244](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2011.00611.x/abstract). With thanks to Justine Shaw and Aleks Terauds for information and photograph. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 December 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/rapid-recovery-of-vegetation-following-aerial-poison-baiting-on-sub-antarctic-macquarie-island.md) ## Wisdom, the World's oldest known albatross, is back on Midway with a new egg - and joins the electronic age 'Wisdom' (Red Z333), the now 61-year old female Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis*, is back on the USA's [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/aboutus.html), incubating an egg in her normal location behind Bravo Barracks on Sand Island.  She was sighted and photographed by Midway's Wildlife Biologist, Pete Leary on 1 December ([click here](http://www.fws.gov/midway/whatsnew.html)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom2_2011_pete_leary.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom1_2011_pete_leary.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom3_2011_pete_leary.jpg) 61 years on: Wisdom is back on Midway for the 2011/12 breeding season Photographs by Pete Leary Last season her chick survived the Japanese tsunami to be banded and to fledge successfully ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/opportunities-to-see-albatrosses-at-the-pacific-seabird-group-conference-in-hawaii-in-february-2012)). Although an 'old bird', Wisdom has joined the electronic communication age to support conservation through communication and so has her own [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003099446999&sk=wall) page and Twitter account.  Follow her tweets at [@WisdomZ333](http://twitter.com/WisdomZ333?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=WisdomZ333&utm_content=142764446417293312&ref=nf). [Eyes of Wisdom | Time Amongst the Waves](http://vimeo.com/32293529) can be viewed on Vimeo.  This 4.45 minute clip of still pictures and song is described as "[a]n ocean view of the world through the eyes of Wisdom, a female Laysan Albatross and also the oldest known wild bird in the 90-year history of North American bird banding." Wisdom has been in regular e-mail contact with ACAP's honorary Information Officer of late.  In her last e-mail to him, received yesterday, she promised to ensure that her unknown partner would be banded when he returnd to share in the incubation. For more  wildlife news from Midway follow Pete Leary's monthly Blog "[Pete on Midway](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/)". Midway Atoll falls within the Northwestern Hawaiian chain of islands and forms part of the [Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument](http://www.fws.gov/scripts/exit-to-fed.cfm?link=http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/&linkname=papahanaumokuakea%20web%20site), which was made a World Heritage Site this year. With thanks to Pete Leary and Wisdom for information and photos. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/wisdom-the-worlds-oldest-known-albatross-is-back-on-midway-with-a-new-egg-and-joins-the-electronic-age.md) ## Move that body, close those eyes! What exactly do Westland Petrels get up to at night? Todd Landers ([Auckland Council](http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/Pages/default.aspx)) and colleagues have looked at the nocturnal behaviour of the ACAP-listed Westland Petrel *Procellaria westlandica* at its breeding sites in New Zealand. The abstract of their paper published in the journal *[Notornis](http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/)* follows: "There have been few studies on the temporal patterns of social behaviours and how they relate to timing of life history stages in nocturnal colonial bird species.  This study focuses on the threatened Westland petrel (*Procellaria westlandica*; Procellariidae), to investigate temporal patterns in colonial interactions, including vocalisations and social behaviours, in the context of petrel sociality.  We conducted extensive behavioural observations on the colony at different time-scales (throughout single nights, between seasons, and across years) to characterise the temporal dynamics of at-colony behaviours.  These analyses show consistent temporal variation in several behavioural attributes (e.g., social interactions, vocalisations, eyes closed, body movements), with little or no temporal variation in others (e.g., self maintenance or stationary behaviours).  These data provide the basis for specific predictions to test the role of social interactions between temporally varying vocalisations and social behaviours in nocturnal colonial birds." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/Westland/Westland_Petrel_by_Barry_Baker.jpg) Westland Petrel at sea.  Photograph by Barry Baker **Reference:** Landers, T.J., Bannock, C.A. & Hauber, M.E. 2001.  Dynamics of behavioural rhythms in a colonial, nocturnal, burrowing seabird: a comparison across different temporal scales.  [*Notornis* 58: 81-89](http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/dynamics-behavioural-rhythms-colonial-nocturnal-burrowing-seabird-comparison-across-different-tempor). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/move-that-body-close-those-eyes-what-exactly-do-westland-petrels-get-up-to-at-night.md) ## The wise mōlī soars in the calm: more poetry in the service of albatross and petrel conservation Regular visitors to *ACAP Latest News* will have noticed from this year an irregular series of postings that deal with poetry that has an albatross or a petrel theme. Aside from the intrinsic interest of the verses the series has the serious aim of bringing the Albatross and Petrel Agreement to the attention of a wider audience, which, it is hoped, will include individuals who may not otherwise be aware of the serious conservation issues the [29 ACAP-listed species](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) face. To date, postings have covered poems in all three official ACAP languages:  by [Roy Campbell, Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/poetry-in-the-service-of-albatrosses-and-petrels) and [Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll)](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/lewis-carroll-and-the-albatross-the-mad-gardeners-song) in English, by [Charles Baudelaire](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/charles-baudelaire-and-lalbatros-a-compassionate-french-poem-in-the-service-of-conservation) in French and by [Pablo Neruda and Eduardo Langagne](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/pablo-neruda-and-eduardo-langagne-two-south-american-poets-who-have-written-movingly-of-albatrosses) in Spanish. The following lines are in the Hawaiian language and celebrate the long life of a now 61-year old Laysan Albatross or Mōlī *Phoebetria immutabilis*, known as Wisdom. Kaha ka mōlī maliʻu i ka laʻi Holo mālie i ke ao hoʻomakua He makua paʻamua i ke one neʻineʻi I ō a i ʻaneʻi i ka moana nui The wise mōlī soars in the calm travelling serenely in the hoʻomakua sky. A reverent parent on the low-lying sands far and wide in the great ocean "Hoʻomakua is one of the traditional ways of describing a level of sky, one above the surface of the earth, but not too lofty". It is one of the levels in which birds such as mōlī would fly." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom_john_klavitter.jpg) Wisdom with her 2010/11 season's chick Photograph by John Klavitter With grateful thanks to Sam ‘Ohu Gon III of [The Nature Conservancy](http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/hawaii/index.htm) in Hawaii for permission to post his [mele or oli](http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/ulh/ulh44.htm) (a chant or song), and its translation, produced in honour of [Wisdom A. Laysan Albatross](http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003099446999&sk=wall) of the [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/aboutus.html), and to [Wisdom](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/wisdom-the-worlds-oldest-known-albatross-is-back-on-midway-with-a-new-egg-and-joins-the-electronic-age) herself for making the connection. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-wise-ml-soars-in-the-calm-more-poetry-in-the-service-of-albatross-and-petrel-conservation.md) ## First translocated Short-tailed Albatross for this season returns to Mukojima The first translocated Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* to return to the site of the artificial colony on Mukojima Island was Red Y01, thought to be a male.  It was first seen on 10 February 2011 where it was photographed interacting with the 2011 chicks translocated from Torishima and with the decoy models (see photograph below).  The bird had fledged on 20 May 2008 from the first translocated cohort, so it had returned in less than three years ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-bird-back-good-news-from-the-short-tailed-albatross-translocation-project-on-japans-mukojima-island)). Red Y01 is now back again on Mukojima, being seen on 5 December at the colony site.  The fact that it has returned earlier this breeding season than during the last suggests it is both maturing and becoming well-habituated to the site, lending hope that it will in time breed there, thus creating a new breeding colony for the species. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_y01_mukojima_tomohiro_deguchi.jpg) Red Y01 on Mukojima earlier this year: now back again Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi Search on "Mukojima" to read earlier items posted to *ACAP Latest News* on this endeavour to create a new breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses on a non-volcanically active island, now part of a [World Heritage Site](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/world-heritage-convention-set-to-help-conserve-short-tailed-albatrosses-on-japans-ogasawara-islands). With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi, [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/index.html) for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/first-translocated-short-tailed-albatross-for-this-season-returns-to-mukojima.md) ## UPDATED: Re-confirming the successful eradication of Norway Rats from Grass Island in the South Atlantic Thirty-hectare Grass Island lies within Stromness Bay, approximately 350 m from the nearest rat-infested mainland area at Tonsberg Point, South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the South Atlantic.  The island is ice-free and entirely vegetated.  The island's lower slopes are covered in tussac grass *Poa flabellata* with areas of *Festuca contracta* grassland on the summit above the 80-m high north coast cliffs. Grass Island was first confirmed as being free of Norway or Brown Rats *Rattus norvegicus* in 2002, after a baiting operation carried out in November 2000 (Poncet *et al*. 2011).  This was the first attempt at rat eradication at South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* and paved the way for the current restoration plans ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/still-no-rats-seen-after-the-poison-bait-drop-on-south-georgiaislas-georgias-del-sur)) for the whole of that island.  No evidence of rats or rat sign was found on Grass Island  in 2002 (chewsticks deployed for 12 months untouched and no droppings, burrows, chewed tussac or rat runs seen).  Further visits from 2003 to 2006 also revealed no signs of rats.  During a December 2005 visit several new White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis* burrows were found in areas where none had previously been recorded. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white-chinned petrel_by_Ben Palan.jpg) A White-chinned Petrel pair display at their breeding site Photograph by Bean Phalan The risk of rats re-invading Grass Island by swimming from Tonsberg Point was recognized when the island was baited.  With 11 years now elapsed since baiting, a visit on 28 November 2011 has provided the opportunity to check for a possible re-invasion.  Continuous rain and sleet hindered the survey, and the field team was not able to cover the entire island, but approximately one kilometre of the 2.8 km of coastline was surveyed and some of the island's interior was visited.  No rat sign (either old or fresh) was found.  The presence of several pairs of South Georgia Pipits *Anthus antarcticus*, thought to be breeding, is also strongly indicative of the absence of rats. White-chinned Petrels occupied burrows at all localities recorded in 2000, as well as at the new site.  Several pairs of Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses *Phoebetria palpebrata* also breed on Grass Island, as do Northern *Macronectes halli* and Southern *M. giganteus* Giant Petrels, with 51 and four breeding pairs present in December 2005, respectively. **Reference:** Poncet, S., Poncet, L., Poncet, D., Christie, C., Dockrill, C. & Brown, D. 2011.* *Introduced mammal eradications in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.*  In: Veitch, C.R., Clout, M.N. & Towns, D.R. (Eds*).  Island Invasives: Eradication and Management*.  Gland: World Conservation Union & Auckland: Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity.  pp. 332-336. [http://www.issg.org/pdf/publications/Island_Invasives/pdfwebview/3Poncet.pdf](http://www.issg.org/pdf/publications/Island_Invasives/pdfwebview/3Poncet.pdf) With thanks to Sally Poncet for supplying her detailed report of her Grass Island visit last month, of which the above is an edited version. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 December 2011, updated 15 December 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. * * [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/re-confirming-the-successful-eradication-of-norway-rats-from-grass-island-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## Wedgies get a wing up from a rugby team. Alien mammals are successfully removed from three Pacific homes of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Wedge-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus pacificus* have been identified as a potential candidate species for listing within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.  Their conservation status on three islands at two widely-separated localities in the Pacific Ocean has been recently improved by the removal of introduced mammalian predators. The Fijian islands of [Monuriki ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monuriki)and Kadomo in the [Mamanuca island chain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamanuca_Islands) have been cleared of two species of introduced mammals.  The [National Trust of Fiji](http://www.nationaltrust.org.fj/) Islands and BirdLife International's [Fiji Programme](http://www.birdlife.org/regional/pacific/fiji_programme.html) have jointly carried out a complex operation to rid the two islands permanently of feral goats and rats *Rattus*sp.. "For the goats, those that could be mustered and caught - by the local Yanuya Rugby Team - were taken to the mainland, while all remaining animals were later eliminated by professional hunters from New Zealand using trained sniffer dogs.  The rats were eradicated by spreading specially-formulated rodenticide from a helicopter in a hi-tech procedure using GPS equipment and a specifically designed spreader bucket which could calibrate required bait-drops".  If no signs are detected after two years Monuriki and Kadomo Islands will be officially declared rat and goat-free. Monuriki was the location for the 2000 Robert Zeemckis film *Cast Away* starring Tom Hanks - which depicted his attempt to survive alone on the island following an aeroplane crash. [Click here](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/12/invasive-species-cast-away-in-fiji/) for more details of the Fijian eradication exercise. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Wedge_tailed/wedge-tailed shearwater_alan_burger.jpg) Wedge-tailed Shearwater.  Photograph by Alan Burger Meanwhile across the Equator in the North Pacific, the construction of a predator-proof fence and the successful removal of a suite of alien predators from within the fenced area at Ka'ena Point on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/helping-the-laysan-albatross-predator-removal-continues-inside-hawaiis-first-pest-proof-fence)) has led to an increase in the numbers of fledging Wedge-tailed Shearwaters ('ua'u kani) to a high this year of 1775.  The previous highest fledgling count was of 1556 in 2007, with surveys first commencing in 1994.  In previous years large numbers (up to 15%) of the shearwater chicks have been killed by stray dogs, feral cats, Indian Mongooses *Herpestes javanicus* and Black or Ship Rats*Rattus rattus*, now all eradicated from the reserve, according to a [press release](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/chair/pio/nr/2011/NR10-317.pdf) by the [Hawaiian Department of Land and Natural Resources](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr). With thanks to Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/wedgies-get-a-wing-up-from-a-rugby-team-alien-mammals-are-successfully-removed-from-three-pacific-homes-of-the-wedge-tailed-shearwater.md) ## UPDATED Is blowing their noses in flight a cause of the pink ear stains in Wandering Albatrosses? ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_pink_stain_uruguay_martin_abreu.jpg) Excessive pink staining on the head and neck of a Wandering Albatross at sea off Uruguay, November 2011 Photograph by Martin Abreu Writing in the 2011 issue of *Sea Swallow*, the Annual Report of the [Royal Naval Birdwatching Society](http://www.rnbws.org.uk/), the ‘grand old man' of albatross research, Lance Tickell, gives thought as to how the well-known pink staining on the sides of heads and necks of adult wandering albatrosses *Diomedea*sp. (*sensu lato*) gets there. Lance hypothesises that the birds snort or sneeze explosively while in flight to expel fluid from their nasal tubes.  He conjectures the exhaled liquid is a mixture of a saline secretion from the salt glands (that all seabirds have) and stomach oil stained pink (or orange) from the birds' diet.  This liquid then stains feathers lifted by turbulence as it moves closely past the head and neck due to laminar flow as an aerosol. What is also interesting is that he further conjectures, having observed no such staining in breeding Northern Royal Albatrosses *D. sanfordi* which he notes have larger and more bulbous nasal tubes, that they may be able to eject fluid droplets farther out into the airstream while flying, thus avoiding becoming stained. Lance also notes that non-*Diomedea* albatrosses do not have stained heads and necks.  This presumably is also due to the different morphology of their bills and nasal tubes. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_John_Cooper.jpg) Adult Wanderers at Marion Island show pink staining... Photograph by John Cooper ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_abatross_incubating_inaccessible_2_katrine_herian.jpg) ...as does this Tristan Albatross from Inaccessible Island Photograph by Katrine Herian A fascinating theory that should be able to be tested experimentally.  Go for it! **Reference:** Tickell, W.L.N. 2011.  Plumage contamination on Wandering Albatrosses -an aerodynamic model.  *Sea Swallow* 60: 67-69. With thanks to Martin Abreu, [Albatross Task Force](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/tags/albatross+task+force/default.aspx) in Uruguay for the use of his photograph *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 December 2011, updated 25 December 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/is-blowing-their-noses-in-flight-a-cause-of-the-pink-ear-stains-in-wandering-albatrosses.md) ## Who gets the last dance? Hybrid Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis*Albatrosses breed in mixed colonies at a number of islands in the North Pacific.  Occasionally odd-looking birds are seen that are deemed to be hybrids between the two species. Pete Leary, Midway Atoll Wildlife Biologist, reports that currently there are at least four such hybrids on Midway Atoll's Sand Island, two of which are illustrated here.  They are seen trying to display with either Laysans or Black-foots, depending on the bird, but the prospective mates lose interest very quickly and move away once an incorrect dance move is made.  One of the hybrids, nicknamed ‘Herbie', lives near the island's Midway House and can be seen daily.  Pete reports that Herbie, thought to be a male, has never had any luck with the Laysans and to his knowledge has not been seen engaging in preening activity with other birds. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-foot_laysan_hybrid_herbie_pete_leary.jpg) 'Herbie', the hybrid Black-footed-Laysan Albatross on Midway, November 2011 Photograph by Pete Leary In 2008 Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, identified seven hybrids on Midway among *c.* 82 000 occupied nests during a survey. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-foot_laysan_hybrid2_lindsay_young.jpg) Another hybrid Black-footed-Laysan Albatross on Midway, November 2011 Photograph by Pete Leary ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/bfal laal hybrid_midway_pete_leary.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-foot_laysan_hybrid_lindsay_young.jpg) Hybrid Black-footed-Laysan Albatrosses on Midway, 2008 Photographs by Lindsay Young [Click here](http://www.topp.org/blog/meet_prius_hybrid_albatross) to view a 2008 photo of another presumed Black-foot-Laysan hybrid, named ‘Prius', thought to be a male by its size, from Tern Island, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  "He tends to socialize mostly with black-footed albatross, but his dance repertoire contains moves from both species.  His vocalizations also sound like a mixture between the two species". A profusely-illustrated paper by Tristan McKee and Peter Pyle in *[North American Birds](http://www.aba.org/nab/)* in 2002 goes into detail on hybridization between the two species.  In summary, the authors consider that hybrids come about by inter-specific extra-pair copulatory events or rapes, and not by birds of the two species pairing up and laying a fertile egg, from which they rear a fledgling.  It seems these events are always(?) caused by male Black-footed Albatrosses, with the hybrid chick being reared by its Laysan mother and her cuckolded male Laysan partner.  This is said to explain why the hybrids appear, at least in the main, to be imprinted on Laysan Albatrosses, and not on Black-foots. McKee and Pyle state that presumed hybrids have been seen incubating eggs (as illustrated here) and rearing chicks to fledging with Laysan Albatross females, leading to F2 (second generation) hybrids. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-foot_laysan_hybrid_incubating_lindsay_young.jpg) Hybrid Black-footed-Laysan Albatross incubating on Midway, 2008 Photograph by Lindsay Young These fascinating observations would best be sorted out by a genetic study, and although it is reported that one has been undertaken, its results apparently remain unpublished. A half-downy chick photographed on Tern Island in 2006 and described as a hybrid ([click here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/angrysunbird/1343580661/)) is actually an aberrant Black-footed Albatross with a white belly and legs, according to Pete Leary.  This bird is named ‘Oreo' and has been returning to the island since 2008.  Such plumage variations are well described in the *North American Birds*article*.* According to Lance Tickell's 2000 book *Albatrosses*hybridization has also been reported between Black-browed *Thalassarche melanophris* and Campbell *T. impavida* Albatrosses ([click here](http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=MU00074)) and between Northern Royal *Diomedea sanfordi* and Southern Royal *D. epomophora*Albatrosses.  Both these species pairs are considered to be closely related: they certainly look more alike (to the human eye at least) than do Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses.  Among other ACAP-listed species, mixed pairs incubating eggs have been reported for the two giant petrels *Macronectes* spp. from more than one locality, but I have not come across a case of a hybrid individual, as the eggs laid have been infertile. **Reference:** McKee, T. & Pyle, P. 2002.  Plumage variation and hybridization in Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses.  [*North American Birds* 56(2): 131-138](http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/NAB/v056n02/p00131-p00138.pdf). With thanks to Pete Leary, Midway Atoll Wildlife Biologist and Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent for photos and information.  You can follow Pete's interesting blog "Pete at Midway" at [http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/who-gets-the-last-dance-mmhybrid-black-footed-and-laysan-albatrosses-on-the-northwestern-hawaiian-islands.md) ## History of exotic terrestrial mammals on Southern Ocean islands and in Antarctica Bob Headland ([Scott Polar Research Institute](http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/), University of Cambridge, UK), writing in the journal *[Polar Record](http://www.esaim-m2an.org/action/displayJournal?jid=POL)*, has produced a descriptive historical account of the introduced mammals of southern high latitudes.  The publication has a particular interest for the conservation of albatrosses and petrels since many are threatened at their island breeding sites by introduced predators such as feral pigs, feral cats and rodents.  A number of eradication programmes for such animals are ongoing at or are planned for southern islands, as regularly reported in *ACAP Latest News.* The paper's abstract follows: "A concise account of exotic terrestrial mammals known to have been introduced in Antarctica and the 19 peri-Antarctic islands is provided.  This includes the entire region currently relevant to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research.  Of the 24 introduced species 10 are extant at one or more locations in 2011.  Some species have had a widespread distribution and others are represented by one, or a few, individuals.  The majority arrived as deliberate introductions but that of some was adventitious.  Details of their dates of introduction, current status, and indications of environmental effects, are tabulated.  Current eradication programmes are noted." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_wounded_Rob_Ronconi_by_Peter_Ryan.jpg) Rob Ronconi holds a Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* chick that has been attacked by introduced House Mice *Mus musculus* on Gough Island in 2009 Photograph by Peter Ryan [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/PDF_Docs/En/acap_eradication_guidelines_en1.1.pdf) to access ACAP's eradication guidelines for introduced mammals at breeding sites of ACAP-listed seabirds.  The Agreement has also produced biosecurity and quarantine guidelines for ACAP breeding sites ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/PDF_Docs/En/ACAP%20Biosecurity%20guidelines%20EN1.0.pdf)). **Reference:** Headland, R.K. 2011.  History of exotic terrestrial mammals in Antarctic regions.  *Polar Record* [doi: 10.1017/S0032247411000118](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8348411&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0032247411000118)*.* *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/history-of-exotic-terrestrial-mammals-on-southern-ocean-islands-and-in-antarctica.md) ## The 13th MEDMARAVIS Symposium hears about Mediterranean shearwaters The 13th MEDMARAVIS Pan-Mediterranean Symposium was held in Alghero, Sardinia over 14-17 October 2011 with the theme ‘Mediterranean Seabird Ecology and Conservation: Update and Progress'.  The symposium was organized by [MEDMARAVIS](http://www.medmaravis.org/), an NGO that deals with the study and conservation of coastal habitats and marine avifauna throughout the Mediterranean region.  Publication of a proceedings volume in English is intended. A number of papers presented in two dedicated sessions are of special interest to ACAP as they dealt with three shearwater species breeding within the Mediterranean that have been identified as potential candidates for listing within the Agreement. These three species include the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus* that is likely to be listed within the Agreement next year. Titles and authors of the shearwater sessions and papers follow. **Ecology and Migration of Balearic Shearwaters**Russell Wynn, Tom Brereton, Laurent Thébault & Pierre Yésou:  Intensive monitoring provides new insights into key flyways and foraging areas of Balearic Shearwaters *Puffinus mauretanicus*in UK and French waters. Maite Louzao: The importance of multidisciplinary approaches for species conservation: lessons from the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater. José Manuel Arcos, Juan Bécares, Beneharo Rodriguez, Asuncion Ruiz & Daniel Oro:  How many Balearic Shearwaters *Puffinus mauretanicus*are out there?  Discrepancies between breeding and at sea estimates. Tim Guildford, Russell Wyn, Miguel McMinn, Ana Rodriguez, Alice Jones, Louise Maurice & Lavinia Suberg:  Long-distance movements of the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*revealed by GPS and geolocator tracking. **Population Ecology of Cory's and Yelkouan Shearwaters**CEN PACA & Mathieu Thévenet:  State of knowledge of the populations of the Mediterranean Shag, Cory's Shearwater, Yelkouan Shearwater and European Storm Petrel in the Mediterranean: threats identified and action proposals for the small islands of the Mediterranean. John Borg and Joe Sultana:  A historical overview of studies and conservation of Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan*at L-Irdumtal-Madonna, Malta. J.G. Cecere, I. Maggini, C. Catoni, G. Gaibani & C. Celada:  Foraging activity and key conservation areas of Cory's Shearwaters from Italian colonies. Marco Zenatello, Giovanna Spano, Nicola Baccetti, Carla Zucca, Augosto Navone, Massimo Putzu, Caterina Azara, Egidio Trainito & Mirko Ugo:  Movements and moving population estimates of Yelkouan Shearwaters at Tavolara, Sardinia. Lia Derhe & Ivan Ramirez:  Updating Action Plans for Cory's and Yelkouan Shearwaters.  A BirdLife International Project. **Posters**Clara Péron, Henri Weimerkirch & David Grémillet:  Exploring marine habitats of two shearwater species breeding in the French Mediterranean islands to identify marine protected areas. Dilek Sahin, Ergün Bacak, Sercan Bilgin, Canan Atay, Kerem Ali Boyla & Jose Tavares:  Presence and behaviour of Yelkouan Shearwaters *Puffinus yelkouan*at the Bosphorus. Pierre Yésou, Laurent Thébault, Yann Février & collaborators:  Recent insights in the distribution and abundance of Balearic Shearwaters off Britanny, western France. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Yelkouan/Yelkouan_Shearwater_Matthew_ Borg_Cardona.JPG "Yelkouan Shearwater. Photograph by Matthew Borg Cardona") The symposium was followed by a two-day seminar organized by BirdLife International to consider and update action plans for Cory's and Yelkouan Shearwaters ([click here](http://www.medmaravis.org/Actions%20Plans.html)). [Click here](http://www.medmaravis.org/Programme%20Symposium.pdf) to see the symposium programme with a list of all the presentations offered. For information on shearwater conservation efforts in Malta visit the [EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater Project](http://www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 December 2011.* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-13th-medmaravis-symposium-hears-about-mediterranean-shearwaters.md) ## The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission's Scientific Committee discusses seabird mitigation this week in the Seychelles The Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org)) is holding its 14th Session this week in Victoria, Seychelles ([click here](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/sc/IOTC-2011-SC14-01a[E].pdf) for the meeting's agenda). The meeting will consider the [Report of the Seventh Session](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/wpeb/IOTC-2011-WPEB07-R[E].pdf) of the Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB) held in the Maldives in October this year which agreedthat a combination of weighted branch lines, bird-scaring lines and night setting represents best-practice mitigation in reducing bycatch of seabirds to the lowest possible level in pelagic longline fisheries. The WPEB then recommended that [**Resolution 10/06**On Reducing the Incidental Bycatch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries](http://www.ccsbt.org/userfiles/file/other_rfmo_measures/iotc/Resolution%2010_06.pdf) be amended to reflect this advice. The Scientific Committee will also discuss the status of seabirds and National Plans of Action for Seabirds by countries that fish within the Indian Ocean.  Only Australia, Japan, South Africa and Taiwan have produced NPOA-Seabirds so far, although the European Union is close to adopting its plan, and the Republic of Korea is stated to be in the early stages of development of a plan. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Amsterdam/Amsterdam_Albatross_by_Scott_Shaffer.jpg) The Amsterdam Albatross: endemic to the IOTC region in the southern Indian Ocean [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-indian-ocean-tuna-commission-makes-progress-towards-best-practice-in-its-recommended-mitigation-measures-for-albatrosses-and-petrels) for an earlier news item on developments within the IOTC of relevance to the Albatross and Petrel Agreement. **References:** IOTC Secretariat 2011.   *Status of Seabirds in the Indian Ocean*.  [IOTC-2011-SC14-25](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/sc/IOTC-2011-SC14-25[E].pdf).  8 pp. IOTC Secretariat 2011.  *Status of Development and Implementation of National Plans of Action for Seabirds and Sharks*.  [IOTC-2011-SC14-33 [E]. ](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2011/sc/IOTC-2011-SC14-33[E].pdf)5 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-indian-ocean-tuna-commissions-scientific-committee-discusses-seabird-mitigation-this-week-in-the-seychelles.md) ## Island Invasives: Eradication and Management. Proceedings of the New Zealand 2010 Conference now published The papers and abstracts published in this proceedings volume are the outcome of an international conference on *Island Invasives: Eradication and Management* held at Tamaki Campus, [University of Auckland](http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/), New Zealand from 8 to 12 February 2010. The conference was hosted by the [Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity](http://www.cbb.org.nz/) (University of Auckland and [Landcare Research](http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/)), in collaboration with the IUCN/SSC [Invasive Species Specialist Group](http://www.issg.org/index.html).  It was attended by 240 delegates from at least 20 countries. The following 10 peer-reviewed papers (out of 95 published) and three abstracts have been selected as covering invasive species management issues on islands where ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels or threatened shearwaters breed.  However, the other papers in the proceedings volume should also be looked at for techniques to apply or test, or simply to read good news in a field that always needs it ([click here](http://www.issg.org/pdf/publications/Island_Invasives/pdfwebview/Table_of_Contents.pdf) for the full table of contents and to access PDFs of the papers). ****************** Review of feral cat eradications on islands.  *K.J. Campbell, G. Harper, D. Algar, C.C. Hanson, B.S. Keit & S. Robinson*Preparations for the eradication of mice from Gough Island: results of bait acceptance trials above ground and around cave systems.  *R.J. Cuthbert, P. Visser, H. Louw, K. Rexer-Huber, G. Parker & P.G. Ryan*The Global Islands Invasive Vertebrate Eradication Database: a tool to improve and facilitate restoration of island ecosystems.  *B. Keitt, K. Campbell, A. Saunders, M. Clout, Y. Wang, R. Heinz, K. Newton & B. Tershy*Campbell Island - pushing the boundaries of rat eradications.  *P.J. McClelland*Planning processes for eradication of multiple pest species on Macquarie Island - an Australian case study.  *K. Springer*Introduced mammal eradications in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia*.  *S. Poncet, L. Poncet, D. Poncet, D. Christie, C. Dockrill & D. Brown*The Rakiura Tītī Islands Restoration Project: community action to eradicate *Rattus rattus* and *Rattus exulans* for ecological restoration and cultural wellbeing.  *P.J. McClelland, R. Coote, M. Trow, P. Hutchins, H.M. Nevins, J. Adams, J. Newman & H. Moller*Running the gauntlet: advocating rat and feral cat eradication on an inhabited island - Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.  *J. Ogden & J. Gilbert*Developing a Regional Invasive Species Strategy for the United Kingdom's Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic.  *C. Stringer, C. Shine, A. Darlow & B. Summers*Involving the community in rodent eradication on Tristan da Cunha.  *K. Varnham, T. Glass & C. Stringer*Improving "internal" biosecurity in the Falkland Islands*: a pragmatic approach (abstract).  *C. Stringer, B. Summers, D. Christie, D. Brown, H. Otley & N. Rendell*Damage to plants and seabirds by ship rats *Rattus rattus* on the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands before eradication (abstract).  *T. Yabe, T. Hashimoto, M. Takiguchi, M. Aoki, M. Fujita & K. Kawakami*Lessons learned from gaining political and community support of Hawai`i's first predator-proof fence at Ka`ena Point Natural Area Reserve (abstract).  *L.C. Young, P. Sato, A. Jeffers-Fabro, C. Swenson, R. Kennedy & D.G. Smith* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_chick_by_Ross_Wanless.jpg) Tristan Albatross chick being attacked by House Mice at night on Gough Island (see Cuthbert *et al*. listed above) Photograph by Ross Wanless **Reference:** [Veitch, C.R.; Clout, M.N. & Towns, D.R. (Eds) 2011.  *Island Invasives: Eradication and Management. Proceedings of the International Conference on Island Invasives*.  Gland: World Conservation Union (IUCN) & Auckland: Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity.  xii + 542 pp](http://www.issg.org/publications.htm#iucn_publications). [Click here](http://www.mwpress.co.nz/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1152) to find out how to purchase the proceedings. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 December 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/island-invasives-eradication-and-management-proceedings-of-the-new-zealand-2010-conference-now-published.md) ## ACAP makes a call for project applications to help conserve albatrosses and petrels Applications are now being sought for research and project funding that will assist the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) to meet its objective of achieving and maintaining a favourable conservation status for albatrosses and petrels. Total funding of approximately AUD 60 000 is available for allocation from the Advisory Committee (AC) Work Programme budget in 2012.  A maximum of AUD 20 000 will be granted per individual project. Applications must be submitted on an [ACAP Project Application Form](https://www.acap.aq/secretariat-reports/english/secretariat/project-applications). When assessing project applications, preference will be given to projects that address elements of the AC Work Programme (see Annex 6 of the [AC6 Report](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-report)) and any research priorities identified by the AC Working Groups (see [AC6 Doc 11 Rev 4](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents) and [AC6 Doc 14 Rev 4](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents)). Innovative proposals making a substantive contribution to the Agreement's objective will also be considered. Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant [Working Group Convenor](https://www.acap.aq/working-groups/working-groups/) to discuss the development and relevance of their application to ensure it addresses the requirements of the Advisory Committee Work Programme. Applications opened on 12 December 2011 and will close on 6 February 2012.  Completed application forms are to be submitted to relevant [ACAP National Contact Points](https://www.acap.aq/national-contacts) in either paper or electronic format. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/G/Grey_headed/Grey-headed_Albatross_pair_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg) Grey-headed Albatrosses.  Photograph by Aleks Terauds Applications from international organisations may be submitted directly to the ACAP Secretariat at: The Executive Secretary ACAP Secretariat 27 Salamanca Square Battery Point, Tasmania 7004 Australia *16 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acap-makes-a-call-for-project-applications-to-help-conserve-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## They don't eat albatrosses do they? An excursion into the culinary literature In the past, from their first discovery, albatrosses have fallen victim to the stew pot or roasting fire, being generally considered good eating.  Nowadays, however, it seems that the human consumption of albatrosses has died out as a habit - and no bad thing many of us will say. Among the last to utilize albatrosses as a regular food source seems to have been by the resident community of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic.  However, full legal protection to all breeding albatrosses (and their eggs and chicks) now exists within the whole island group.  Occasional rumours surface of Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* still being take illegally on the main island of Tristan or on Nightingale but I know of no confirmed cases.  Indeed recipes for cooking albatrosses are not to be found in the island's recently published recipe book (Tourist Office undated).  Albatrosses and other seabirds were also still being killed, at least occasionally, for the cooking pot by the smaller fishing vessels operating out of Cape Town, South Africa into the late 1970s (Avery 1979), but this exploitation also seems to have come to an end as the fisheries became more mechanised. I have gathered together below just a few of the accounts of how the early explorers, sealers and sailors cooked their albatrosses and how they found them to their liking; not of course to encourage any further consumption, but as a record of humanity's interactions with these splendid birds. **************************** "The way of dressing them is thus.  Skin them over night and soak their carcasses in salt water till morn then parboil them and throw away the water, then stew them well with very little water and when sufficiently tender serve them up with a savory sauce."  "...[they] were so good that every body commended and eat heartily of them tho there was fresh pork on the table". *Southern Ocean, February 1770, Joseph Banks travelling with James Cook (Tickell 2000).* "The people (Sailors) have made a good dinner of the Albatrosses cooked in the form of a sea-pie.  They say that by soaking them in water over night they get rid of any fishy taste they may be supposed to have." *Southern Ocean, H. Weeks' journal, February 1841 (Medway 1998).* "... albatross ... were to be found sitting about on the most level and grassy places; they would seldom rise, or try to get away; therefore to knock down as many as were wanted, rip the skin open, cut off the breast and thighs and sling them on my club, and return to the cave, would generally occupy a couple of hours.  ...but of the young birds the whole carcass was taken." *Marion Island, 1812/20 ("Webfoot"= William Dane Phelps 1871).* "I take ashore albatross-egg sandwiches, cook a duck breast on my little stove and make tea.  The egg of a wandering albatross is good food.  I can compare it with nothing better than beaver tail soup, and this entirely because of its effect on the appetite rather than any similarity in taste.  You boil your egg which weighs a pound, until the contents are of just the right consistency.  You nip off the smaller end, sprinkle with salt and dig in.  It is delicious! *South Georgia* 1912/13 (Murphy 1948).* "Four young albatrosses went in the pot, with a Bovril ration for thickening.  The flesh was white and succulent, and the bones not fully formed, almost melted in our mouths.  That was a memorable meal. *South Georgia*, May 1917 (Shackleton 1919)* "Skinned and cut up into pieces, with half a pound of hoosh and a little water, we simmered it [a Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* chick] over the tiny driftwood fire ...  When the dish was cooked we revelled in unwonted gluttony - the delicious, white, well-flavoured and rich flesh was rendered even more piquant by the addition of the hoosh...  We even ate the bones, as they were soft and juicy". *South Georgia*, May 1917 (Worsley 1940)* "The cook did well with the albatross; he jointed and stewed them, not a watery stew with no flavour, but a deep bed of Argentine beans swimming in fats and onions, with braised albatross chunks nestling as comfortably on it as they had in their tussac cradle a few days before.  Delicious." *South Georgia*, 1920s (Matthews 1951).* "As I ate my supper my first attitude of suspicion changed to one of guarded approval.  Contrary to expectation, they [Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross chicks] have no fishy taste but their fat is very oily.  They had been fried in this and I held the bones in my fingers until it had all dripped away before I gnawed them in the accustomed manner." *Tristan da Cunha, 1937/38 (Crawford 1941).* "Hang up a *malmok* [Black-browed Albatross *T. melanophris*] for three days; then put it in vinegar over-night.  The following day boil it up and throw away the water.  Brown some onions and braise the cut-up meat in the usual way.  Add some chillies and put some curry with it.  Don't believe the people who say that a *malmok* tastes fishy.  These people don't know how to cook.  It is not right to blame the bird if you don't know how to cook.  We old fisher-man know a lot about good cooking; oh yes, we do." *Recipe from an old fisherman on Kalk Bay Pier, South Africa, prior to 1949 (Gerber 1957)* "Having no turkey, roast albatross chick was the main course, stuffed, of course, and accompanied with the usual vegetables.  The young Gony [Tristan Albatross *D. dabbenena*] turned out to be very good indeed, and the reason why there are none of this species left on Tristan was immediately apparent." *Gough Island, December 1955 (Holdgate 1958).* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatrosses_marion_island_by_john_cooper.jpg) Adults at sea, chicks on land:  Wandering Albatrosses made a welcome meal Photograph taken on Marion Island by John Cooper **References:** Avery, Graham 1979.  Results of beach patrols conducted in 1978.  *Cormorant* 6: 4-12. Crawford, Allan B. 1941.  *I Went to Tristan*.  London: Hodder & Stoughton.  268 pp. Gerber, Hilda 1957.  *Traditional Cookery of the Cape Malays.  Food Customs and 200 Old Cape Recipes*.  Cape Town: A.A. Balkema.  127 pp. Holdgate, Martin 1958.  *Mountains in the Sea. The Story of the Gough Island Expedition*.  London: MacMillan.  222 pp. Matthews, L. Harrison 1951.  *Wandering Albatross.  Adventures among the Albatrosses and Petrels in the Southern Ocean*.  London: MacGibbon & Kee with Reinhardt & Evans.  134 pp. Medway, David G. 1998.  Human-induced mortality of Southern Ocean albatrosses at sea in the 19th century: a brief historical review.  In: Robertson, G. & Gales, R. (Eds).  *Albatross Biology and Conservation*.  Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty & Sons.  pp. 189-198. Murphy, Robert Cushman 1948.  *Logbook for Grace.  Whaling Brig*Daisy*, 1912-1913*. London: Robert Hale.  290 pp. Shackleton, Sir Ernest 1919*.  South.  The Story of Shackleton's 1914-1917 Expedition. *London: William Heinemann.  205 pp. Tickell, W.Lance N. 2000.  *Albatrosses*.  Mountfield: Pica Press.  448 pp. [Tourist Office] undated.  *Recipes from Tristan da Cunha*.  Tristan da Cunha: Tourist Office.  29 pp. "Webfoot" 1871.  *Fore and Aft; or, Leaves from the Life of an Old Sailor*.  Boston: Nichols & Hall.  359 pp. Worsley, Frank A. (1940).  *Shackleton's Boat Journey*.  London: Hodder & Stoughton.  191 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 November 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/they-dont-eat-albatrosses-do-they-an-excursion-into-the-culinary-literature.md) ## Translocation and hand-rearing techniques for threatened albatrosses Tomohiro Deguchi (Division of Avian Conservation, [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/index.html), Japan) and colleagues writing on-line in the journal [*Bird Conservation International*](https://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=BCI)describe the techniques they have developed to translocate three species of albatrosses to new breeding sites. The paper's summary follows: "Many breeding colonies of Procellariiformes have been threatened with extinction.  Chick translocation has been shown to be an effective method for establishing new "safer" colonies of burrow-nesting species, but techniques for surface-nesting species have not been fully developed.  The entire breeding population of the threatened Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* is restricted to two sites, Torishima Island and the Senkaku Islands, and neither site is secure due to volcanic activity or political instability.  The Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team has recommended facilitating the recovery of this species by establishing at least one additional colony through the translocation and hand-rearing of chicks at a safe historical breeding site.  To evaluate the feasibility of this approach, we hand-reared 10 post-guard phase chicks of two related species in 2006-2007:  Laysan Albatross *P. immutabilis* translocated from Midway Atoll to Kaua'i Island, Hawai'i and Black-footed Albatross *P. nigripes* translocated from a nearby islet in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands to Mukojima Island, Japan.  In these pilot studies, 40% of Laysan Albatross chicks and 90% of Black-footed Albatross chicks fledged successfully.  Following this groundwork, 40 post-guard phase Short-tailed Albatross chicks were translocated from Torishima Island to Mukojima Island in February 2008-2010 and hand-reared to fledging.  Their fledging success has been 100% in all three years.  Fledging body sizes were similar or greater in hand-reared chicks at the release site than parent-reared chicks on Torishima Island.  There were significant differences in levels of some blood chemistry parameters between pre-fledging hand-reared and parent-reared chicks.  The techniques developed in our studies have broad-reaching implications for the future conservation of threatened populations of other surface-nesting seabirds." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_hand_reared chicks_by_tomohiro_deguchi.jpg) Translocated Short-tailed Albatrosses among adult models on Mukojima Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi A further 15 Short-tail chicks were transferred from Torishima to Mukojima in February 2011, bringing the total translocated to date to 55, with one more year to go.  Fourteen of the 2011 cohort fledged successfully.  To date seven translocated birds have revisited the translocation site, including 60% of the first (2008) cohort, boding well for the likelihood of a breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses becoming established on Mukojima over the next few years.  [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/component/option,com_search/ordering,/searchphrase,all/searchword,Mukojima) to access previous stories in *ACAP Latest News* on this translocation exercise. **Reference:** Tomohiro Deguchi, Judy Jacobs, Tomoko Harada, Lyndon Perriman, Yuki Watanabe, Fumio Sato, Noboru Nakamura, Kiyoaki Ozaki And Greg Balogh 2011.  Translocation and hand-rearing techniques for establishing a colony of threatened albatross.  *Bird Conservation International*.  [doi: 10.1017/S0959270911000438](https://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8458118&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0959270911000438). With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 December 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/translocation-and-hand-rearing-techniques-for-threatened-albatrosses.md) ## Sorry Rudolph! Plans to remove Reindeer from the far south will now include "herding and corralling" Following a wide consultation a decision was taken in early 2011 to eradicate the long-introduced Reindeer *Rangifer tarandus* from South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the South Atlantic.  These Reindeer have not been thoroughly surveyed for many years but are thought to number around three thousand in two geographically separated localities, known as the Barff and Busan herds. Removal of the island's Reindeer is expected to help burrow-nesting and ACAP-listed White-chinned Petrels *Procellaria aequinoctialis* by allowing grazed vegetation and trampled areas to recover ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/removal-of-introduced-reindeer-from-a-southern-ocean-island-will-help-white-chinned-petrels)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white-chinned petrel_by_Ben Palan.jpg) White-chinned Petrels.  Photograph by Ben Phalan Initially aerial and ground shooting were under consideration as methods for eradicating the introduced Reindeer.  However, a third option, herding and corralling, has now been added as a desirable method because it will allow animals to be killed humanely under veterinary supervision, the meat and any other products to be utilized, and also will allow for the disposal of carcasses.  Corralling has on many occasions successfully captured wild Reindeer in Norway. Herding and corralling has been used previously on the island to capture small numbers of Reindeer for translocation to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* with varying degrees of success.  The Busen herd was found easy to manage, but the Barff animals were more difficult to herd.  However, it is thought likely that these difficulties will be reduced through the use of experienced Reindeer herders.  Current estimates suggest that 90-95% of the population will be recoverable by herding so there will still be a requirement for some other form of management, either by shooting from the air or from the ground, to remove the last few animals. Next month two Norwegian experts will visit the island to reconnoitre the areas occupied by Reindeer in order to assess the feasibility of herding and corralling as an eradication technique.  Through careful consideration of animal behaviour and terrain the feasibility of herding and corralling as a valid management method will then be definitively established. Eradication of the introduced Reindeer from the two areas they inhabit on South Georgia (Islas Georgia del Sur)* is a prerequisite for eradicating the introduced Norway or Brown Rats *Rattus norvegicus* that are also present.  This is because the Reindeer would eat the rodent bait causing them to suffer or to die inhumanely.  In addition, poisoned bait would be become less available to the rodents; and any deer carcasses left after consumption of the bait would contain high concentrations of poison that would cause mortality amongst scavenging birds, such as ACAP-listed giant petrels *Macronectes* spp. and Subantarctic Skuas *Catharacta antarctica*. More information is in the November 2011 *[Report on the Outputs of the Advisory Group on Reindeer Management Methodology](http://www.sgisland.gs/download/SG%20reindeer%20management%20methods%20summary%20report.pdf)*. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/component/option,com_search/ordering,/searchphrase,all/searchword,South%20Georgia%20rats/) to access earlier stories in *ACAP Latest News* on the activities to date and future plans to eradicate rodents from South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 December 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/sorry-rudolph-plans-to-remove-reindeer-from-the-far-south-will-now-include-qherding-and-corrallingq.md) ## Artists for Conservation: Wisdom the 61-year-old Laysan Albatross gets her portrait painted for a forthcoming children's book Education and increasing awareness is one of the basic aims of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement.  Section 6 of ACAP's Action Plan calls for Parties to "seek to make local communities and the public in general more aware of the status of albatrosses and petrels and the threats facing them". One way this aim can be achieved is by educating the next generation, who will soon be able to learn about albatrosses and the conservation threats they face via a new children's book, being illustrated by USA/Brazilian artist, Kitty Harvill. Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, USA, Kitty received her Bachelor of Fine Arts *cum laude* in painting from Southern Methodist University ([SMU](http://www.smu.edu/)), including a semester of study in Paris.  She has received an MA in art therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an Associate of Arts degree in illustration from Ray College, Chicago.  She has held positions of art director and creative director in the advertising industry. Having dual residency in Brazil and the USA, Kitty divides her time between the two countries. She currently specializes in wildlife art, especially of threatened species, working in pastel and oil in addition to watercolour.  Kitty is actively involved with conservation efforts in Brazil, including painting book covers for the Ministry of the Environment's National Action Plans for threatened species.  She is also an active member of *[Artists for Conservation](http://www.natureartists.com/kitty_harvill.asp)*. Kitty Harvill has illustrated a number of children's books and has now turned her skills to painting pictures of Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* to illustrate a children's book to be published next February.  The 32-page book, entitled *Wisdom, the Midway Albatross:  Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years*, has been written by noted children's author [Darcy Pattison](http://www.darcypattison.com/books/).  [Click here](http://wisdom.darcypattison.com/) to learn more about Wisdom's book. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/wisdom_book_cover_kitty_harvill.jpg) A selection of the book's paintings is shown here.  Once it is published a review of the book will appear in *ACAP Latest News*.  In the meantime [click here](https://www.acap.aq/publications-acap-species/childrens-books-on-albatrosses-and-petrels) to see a listing of other children's books written about albatrosses and petrels. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/wisdom_0_kitty_harvill.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/wisdom_6_kitty_harvill.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/wisdom_8_kitty_harvill.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/wisdom_2_kitty_harvill.jpg) Wisdom, the oldest-known Laysan Albatross, at an estimated 61 years, is currently breeding once more on [Midway Atoll ](http://www.fws.gov/midway/aboutus.html)in the North Pacific, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.  Access earlier articles on her (including a poem written in her honour) at *[ACAP Latest News](https://www.acap.aq/component/option,com_search/ordering,/searchphrase,all/searchword,Wisdom).* You can also follow Wisdom on her own [Facebook page](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Agreement-on-the-Conservation-of-Albatrosses-and-Petrels/153904041336670#!/wisdomthealbatross). [Click here](http://www.albatrosskauai.com/index.html) to access another children's book (an on-line one illustrated with photographs) on a Laysan Albatross, a chick named Winston from the island of Kauai. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/albatross-and-petrel-art-can-help-conservation-efforts) to view a selection of paintings by Leigh-Anne Wolfaardt, an artist who works to help conserve seabirds, including albatrosses, in the South Atlantic. With thanks to Kitty Harvill for information and for the use of her paintings of Wisdom. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/artists-for-conservation-wisdom-the-61-year-old-laysan-albatross-gets-her-portrait-painted-for-a-forthcoming-childrens-book.md) ## Sixth year for the Laysan Albatross egg swap on Kauai, Hawaii deemed a success The second week in December marks the time when the annual "albatross egg swap" occurs on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, an innovative programme designed to discourage Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* from breeding on military airplane runways while simultaneously saving their eggs. Several growing Laysan Albatross populations on the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu and Kauai have chosen various airfields as their nesting locations, much to the dismay of those in charge of maintaining aircraft and human safety.  Thankfully, the site with the largest number of breeding albatrosses, the military Pacific Missile Range Facility ([PMRF](http://www.cnic.navy.mil/PMRF/)) on the west coast of Kauai, has come up with an innovative solution to discourage nesting and re-locate any eggs that are laid. Laysan Albatross adults at PMRF are captured and driven across the island to the [Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint/) (where Laysans already breed) and released in the hopes of discouraging them from returning.  Despite this, approximately 75 albatross pairs attempt to breed each year at PMRF, and because of the conflict this creates with military aircraft the eggs are removed.  Previously, these eggs were legally destroyed or donated for research purposes.  However, in 2006 a programme was initiated with biologists from the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](http://www.fws.gov/) to save some of the breeding attempts by temporarily incubating the eggs collected at PMRF until suitable ‘foster nests' could be found in the albatross colonies on Kauai's north shore. In 2010 an added benefit was realized, and the  inviable eggs were donated to a contaminants research programme.   The programme is now in its sixth year and has so far saved hundreds of Laysan Albatross eggs from being destroyed, as well as increasing the species' overall productivity on the island.  In December 2011 178 eggs in wild nests were candled ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/using-albatross-foster-parents-to-reduce-the-chances-of-bird-strikes-on-aircraft-in-hawaii) for details), and 33 suitable foster nests (a number being of female-female pairs which lay one or two unfertilized eggs) were identified at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and on private properties on the island, and then had viable eggs placed in them.  Although 10 viable eggs were destroyed because there were not enough foster parents available, it is hoped that such eggs can be sent to other islands in the future as the albatross egg-exchange programme expands. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_egg_lindsay_young.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_egg_collecting_lindsay_young.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_candling_egg_lindsay_young.jpg) Egg candling and exchanging by Eric Vanderwerf at Laysan Albatross nests on Kauai Photographs by Lindsay Young To follow the fate of some of the exchanged eggs visit [My Albatross Diary](http://albatrossdiary.com/) by Cathy Granholm for truly fascinating stories and photos of breeding attempts by Laysan Albatrosses in [Princeville](http://www.kauai-hawaii.com/destinations.php?15 on the north shore of Kauai) on Kauai's north shore where birds blithely nest in yards of private properties and on coastal golf courses - and also to learn that thankfully domestic dogs must be kept on leashes.  Private property owners are not allowed to move or harm a breeding Laysan Albatross or its egg or chick, with a penalty for noncompliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of up to  US$ 5000 and six months in jail. In addition, Bob and Joyce Waid post pictures and news of Kauai's suburban albatrosses on their monthly blog at [http://www.albatrosskauai.com/blog%202011%2012%20dec/index.html](http://www.albatrosskauai.com/blog%202011%2012%20dec/index.html). *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent & John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/sixth-year-for-the-laysan-albatross-egg-swap-on-kauai-hawaii-deemed-a-success.md) ## UPDATED: Standing tall: albatross statues and memorials around the World The series of occasional articles in *ACAP Latest News*on albatrosses and petrels in art and culture continues with a look at albatross statues and memorials.  I know of only three such, two of which I have visited. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_statue_puerto_aroya_santa_cruz_john cooper.jpg) Photograph by John  Cooper, 18 August 2011 This statue of a Waved Albatross *Phoebastria irrorata* stands near the public jetty in the town of [Puerto Ayora](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Ayora) on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.   The poem on its plaque reads: **El mar es nuestra vida** Recibimos nuestro bienestar de las olas y corrientes caprichosas que rodean las islas. Fragil como un nino may que cuidar cada paso que nose rompa loque es bello fructuoso y el alma de nuestra inspiracion Yo como tu ave magnifica tengo que vivir entre los limites naturales parque en el tiempo todo lo demas se va gastando. Gracias por vivir entre ustedes Islas, fauna, flora de Galapagos. Hugo Andrade Serrano 16 de Febrero de 1995 **The sea is our life** We receive our wellbeing from the wilful waves and currents which surround the islands As fragile as a child, we must be careful of every step so as not to break that which is beautiful, bountiful and the soul of our inspiration I as yourself, magical bird, must live within the limits of nature because in time all else weathers. Thank you for living among you Islands, fauna, flora of Galapagos. Translation by Andrea Angel ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_statue_midway_lindsay_young.jpg) Photograph by Lindsay Young In the North Pacific this wooden statue of a Laysan Albatross or "gooney" *P. immutabilis*standing over its egg resides alongside Nimitz Avenue near Midway Mall on Sand Island, part of the USA's  [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_statue_midway.jpg) Photograph from U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service The statue was carved in 1972 from a 30-foot [9-m] mahogany log by a navy dentist, Lieutenant Commander Robert C. Cook, who was stationed on Midway.  The 12-foot [4-m] bird now forms part of the island's [Navy Memorial ](http://www.fws.gov/midway/mem.html)which was erected in 1995 to commemorate the defenders of the island during the WWII [Battle of Midway](http://www.fws.gov/midway/worldwarii.html) in June 1942. **UPDATE:**  Sadly the Laysan Albatross statue is no longer standing!  This news from John Klavitter, Midway's Deputy Wildlife Refuge Manager:  "The statue succumbed to termites last year and had to be temporarily removed from the site near the Navy Memorial here at Midway.  The Friends of Midway Atoll NWR [[FOMA](http://www.friendsofmidway.org/about/about.htm)] is hoping to raise money to fabricate a new one."   ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/cape_horn_monument.jpg) From  [http://www.caphorniers.cl/CH_monument.htm](http://www.caphorniers.cl/CH_monument.htm) In addition to these two reasonably life-like statues, a more stylistic silhouetted albatross in flight stands seven metres high on a hill top 50 m above sea level on Isla de Hornos near Cape Horn in Chile.  The steel Monumento Cabo de Hornos ([Cape Horn Memorial](http://www.caphorniers.cl/CH_monument.htm)) was made by the sculptor José Balcells and was inaugurated in December 1992.  It was erected through the initiative of the [Chilean Section of the Brotherhood of Cape Horners](http://www.caphorniers.cl/english.htm) "in memory of the men of the sea from every nation that lost their lives fighting against the merciless forces of nature of the Southern Ocean that prevail in the vicinity of the legendary Cape Horn". ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/monu3chic.jpg) From [http://www.caphorniers.cl/CH_monument.htm](http://www.caphorniers.cl/CH_monument.htm) A marble plaque mounted near the statue carries the following poem: Soy el albatros que te espera en el final del mundo. Soy el alma olvidada de los marinos muertos que cruzaron el Cabo de Hornos desde todos los mares de la tierra. Pero ellos no murieron en las furiosas olas, hoy vuelan en mis alas, hacia la eternidad, en la última grieta de los vientos antárticos. Sara Vial, Valparaiso, Chile, December 1992 [In translation](http://www.caphorniers.cl/poem.htm): I, the albatross that awaits at the end of the world... I am the forgotten soul of the sailors lost rounding Cape Horn from all the seas of the world. But die they did not in the fierce waves, for today towards eternity, in my wings they soar, in the last crevice of the Antarctic winds. Are there any more albatross statues out there? With thanks to Andrea Angel for her translation and to Lindsay Young for her photograph of the Midway gooney. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 December 2011, updated 24 December 2012* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/standing-tall-albatross-statues-and-memorials-around-the-world.md) ## Seasonal greetings and best wishes for 2012 The ACAP Executive Secretary, Secretariat staff and ACAP News Correspondents extend their seasonal greetings and best wishes for 2012 to all those involved with and interested in the conservation of albatrosses and petrels around the World. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/xmas card 2011 s.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/xmas card 2011 f.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/xmas card 2011 e.jpg) *Warren Papworth, Barry Baker, John Cooper, Luke Finley, JC Lloyd-Southwell, Maite Louzao, Wiesława Misiak, Matt Rayner, Juan Pablo Seco Pon & Lindsay Young, 23 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/seasonal-greetings-and-best-wishes-for-2012.md) ## Several recent outreach initiatives to New Zealand commercial and recreational fishers aim to save seabirds Several recent  initiatives in New Zealand are designed to help reduce incidental seabird mortality by both commercial and recreational fishers.  The *[Protected Species Handbook for Inshore Vessels](http://www.seafoodindustry.co.nz/n464,61.html)* has been sponsored by the [New Zealand Seafood Industry Council ](http://www.seafoodindustry.co.nz)and aims "to assist those in the commercial sector operating inshore vessels by providing information on protected species and possible courses of action through mitigation methods and industry best practice principles".  It usefully lists regulations and circulars that create mandatory requirements for seabird mitigation measures in New Zealand. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Chatham/Chatham_Albatross_Rima_Snares_by_Matt_Charteris.jpg) Endemic ACAP-listed species of New Zealand: Chatham Albatross Photograph by Matt Charteris *[The Ocean Guardian](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/ocean-guardian-issue-1%20-Jan2012.pdf)* newsletter (the first issue is dated January 2012) set to appear four times a year is funded by the New Zealand Department of Conservation ([DOC](http://www.doc.govt.nz)) as part of the [Marine Conservation Services Programme](http://www.doc.govt.nz/mcs) and is edited by Johanna Pierre.  The newsletter focuses on marine protected species and bycatch mitigation.  To be placed on the mailing list contact [ocean_guardian@yahoo.com](mailto:ocean_guardian@yahoo.com). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/Westland/Westland_Petrel_by_Barry_Baker.jpg) Endemic ACAP-listed species of New Zealand: Westland Petrel Photograph by Barry Baker The [Southern Seabird Solutions Trust](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-home) has been engaging in several outreach activities of late, including organizing and holding "[Seabird Smart](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-workshops)" workshops with commercial fishers, running its [International Mitigation Mentor Programme](http://www.southernseabirds.org/n1759,182.html) and searching for new mitigation methods, including keeping seabirds away from the baited hooks of recreational fishers ([click here](http://www.southernseabirds.org/n2028,182.html)).  Useful advice is provided in a [Safe Seabird Release](http://www.southernseabirds.org/f2139,106303/106303_Safe_Seabird_Release.pdf) leaflet.  [Click here](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-projects) to access all of the SSST's current projects. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Campbell/Campbell_Albatross_Flying_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg) Endemic ACAP-listed species of New Zealand: Campbell Albatross Photograph by Aleks Terauds  *[Albert Times](http://www.fishinfo.co.nz/albertross.htm)*, a monthly newsletter written by the pseudonymous "Admiral Albert Ross - MBE (Mighty Big Eater)" aims "to better inform, [sic] both fishing industry participants and interested parties of importance, on minimising the interactions between seabirds and fishing vessels."  The humorous newsletter (it carries great cartoons by Daryl Crimp) is produced by Clement & Associates, Ltd. **Reference:** [Challenger Finfish Management Company] 2011.  *Protected Species Handbook for Inshore Vessels.  A Resource for Inshore Vessel Operators*.  [Nelson]: Challenger Finfish Management Company.  80 pp.  ISBN 978-0-473-17907-6. [http://www.seafoodindustry.co.nz/n464,61.html](http://www.seafoodindustry.co.nz/n464,61.html) With thanks to Corinne Bennik, [New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Ltd](http://www.seafoodindustry.co.nz) and Johanna Pierre of [Johanna Pierre Environmental Consulting Ltd](http://www.jpec.co.nz/) for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/several-recent-outreach-initiatives-to-new-zealand-commercial-and-recreational-fishers-aim-to-save-seabirds.md) ## "One third for the birds": fisheries must leave enough prey for seabirds to survive Philippe Cury ([Institut de Recherche pour le Développement](http://en.ird.fr/), Sète, France) and colleagues writing in the journal [Science](http://www.sciencemag.org/magazine) have looked at the effect of fluctuations in food abundance on seabird breeding success for 14 species in several different oceans. Although none of the species they studied is ACAP-listed and only one, the Arctic or Northern Fulmar *Fulmarus glacialis* is a procellariiform, the study has implications for all species of seabirds whose prey is subject to over-exploitation by commercial fisheries.  For example, such would include some of the higher-latitude-breeding shearwaters *Puffinus* spp. that have been considered as potential candidates for listing. The paper's abstract follows: "Determining the form of key predator-prey relationships is critical for understanding marine ecosystem dynamics.  Using a comprehensive global database, we quantified the effect of fluctuations in food abundance on seabird breeding success.  We identified a threshold in prey (fish and krill, termed "forage fish") abundance below which seabirds experience consistently reduced and more variable productivity.  This response was common to all seven ecosystems and 14 bird species examined within the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans.  The threshold approximated one-third of the maximum prey biomass observed in long-term studies.  This provides an indicator of the minimal forage fish biomass needed to sustain seabird productivity over the long term." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Short_tailed/short_tailed_shearwater_mark_carey.jpg) Short-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus tenuirostris* feed on ""forage fish" in two hemispheres Photograph by Mark Carey **Reference:** Cury, P.M., Boyd, I.L., Bonhommeau, S., Anker-Nilssen, A., Crawford, R.J.M., Furness, R.W., Mills, J.A., Murphy, E.J., Österblom, H., Paleczny, M., Piatt, J.F., Roux, J.-P., Shannon. L. & Sydeman, W.J. 2011.  Global seabird response to forage fish depletion -one-third for the birds.  [*Science*334: 1703-1706](http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6063/1703.abstract). For a review of the paper [click here](http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/12/a-surprising-threshold-for-seabi.html). With thanks to Philippe Cury for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/qone-third-for-the-birdsq-fisheries-must-leave-enough-prey-for-seabirds-to-survive.md) ## UPDATED: Look out albatrosses! Japanese tsunami debris may reach Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the North Pacific early next year The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration ([NOAA](http://www.noaa.gov)) says updated computer models show that marine debris from the Japan tsunami earlier this year could reach the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as early as January or February 2012 ([click here](http://www.kitv.com/r/30058230/detail.html)).  However, there is still a large amount of uncertainty in the model's predictions. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/japanese-tsunami-debris-spotted-at-sea-heading-for-albatross-islands-where-clean-ups-are-underway) to read a report of a sighting of the debris at sea in September this year. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is continuing systematic shoreline monitoring and removal of beached debris on Sand and Eastern Islands on the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge every 28 days.  Similar clean-ups have been taking place on Kure Atoll farther to the west, where washed-up fishing buoys are being used to help mark out Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis* Albatross census areas ([click here](http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1833889447#!/pages/Kure-Atoll-Conservancy/138668706143905)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_corpse2_midway_chris_jordan.jpg) Floating plastic debris at sea resulted in the death of this Laysan Albatross chick on Midway Atoll Photograph by Chris Jordan [Click here](http://raisingislands.blogspot.com/2011/12/japan-tsunami-debris-field-approaches.html ) to access more information on the tsunami's debris field in the North Pacific and to find the answers to frequently asked questions about the Japanese tsunami [click here](http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/pdf/japanfaq.pdf). And to see what an amazing range of plastic objects are swallowed by North Pacific albatrosses at sea and then fed to their chicks have a look at this [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yom6zlm5VqE) clip taken on a Midway beach. Established in 2005, the [NOAA Marine Debris Program](http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/) supports national and international efforts to research, prevent and reduce the impacts of marine debris.  The programme's goal is to protect and conserve natural resources, oceans, and coastal waterways from the impacts of marine debris.  You can also sign up for NOAA's weekly e-newsletter *[Marine Debris NEWS](http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/publications/weekly.html).* *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 December 2011, updated 28 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/look-out-albatrosses-japanese-tsunami-debris-may-reach-northwestern-hawaiian-islands-in-the-north-pacific-early-next-year.md) ## Albatross Task Force photographs colour-banded Wandering Albatrosses off South America Sebastian Jimenez is an at-sea observer/researcher working with BirdLife International's [Albatross Task Force](http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/) out of Uruguay in the South Atlantic.  On a trip this October Sebastián was aboard a pelagic longline fishing vessel targeting swordfish, tuna and sharks.  The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of bird-scaring lines at reducing seabird bycatch. On the trip he photographed a colour-banded Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* (green 376) from Bird Island, South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*.  Enquiries to the [British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/) revealed that the bird was a female first banded in 1988 as a chick.  The bird had returned to Bird Island for the first time in summer 1990/91 and this breeding season is raising a chick. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_green376_ uruguay_sebastian_jimenez.jpg)](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/members/Profile.aspx?UserID=163134) Green 376.  Photograph by Sebastian Jimenez A second colour-banded Wandering Albatross (white 770) photographed off Uruguay a little later in November by Sebastián's colleague Martin Abreu was also an adult female, first banded on Bird Island in summer 1982/83 and recorded breeding for the first time in 1987/88, since when it has successfully raised no less than 10 chicks. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_white770_uruguay_nov_2011_martin_abreu.jpg) White 770.  Photograph by Martin Abreu Sebastián makes the point that Wandering Albatrosses from Bird Island have been travelling the South Atlantic since before Uruguay commenced pelagic longlining in 1981.  So far the two birds recently photographed have managed to avoid being caught on longlines, although it is to be assumed that they have come in contact with fishing vessels many times. The work the ATF is doing among the Uruguayan longline fleet will help reduce the chances of Wandering Albatrosses (and other seabirds) being killed at sea by the adoption of three proven mitigation methods: night setting, deployment of bird-scaring lines and adequate line weighting to ensure fast sink rates. Sharing the long history of individual colour-banded birds (such as green 376 and white 770) seen from longliners with fishers should help educate them to the plight all albatrosses face, and so make them more willing to adopt the use of mitigation methods on their vessels.  Let's hope so! Visit the Albatross Task Force on-line to read regular [stories](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/12.aspx) by Sebastián and other members of its at-sea teams who are based in a number of South American and southern African countries. **Atlantico sur Boletin**, the bulletin of [Proyecto Albatros y Petreles - Uruguay](http://cicmar.org/en/projects-developed-by-cicmar/albatrosses-and-petrels-project), edited by Sebastian Jiménez, Martin Abreu and others is available for [download](http://www.cicmar.org.uy/proyectos/pap/bas) (including back numbers of all the eight issues so far produced). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/tristan-albatrosses-from-gough-island-visit-south-african-waters) to read about colour-banded Tristan Albatrosses *D. dabbenena*, a close relative of the Wanderer, photographed at sea in the Atlantic off both South America and South Africa. With thanks to Martin Abreu and Sebastian Jimenez for the use of their photographs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 December 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. * * [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatross-task-force-photographs-colour-banded-wandering-albatrosses-off-south-america.md) ## Discards good, hooks bad! Gains and risks to albatrosses and petrels foraging around pelagic longliners Sebastián Jiménez ([Proyecto Albatros y Petreles - Uruguay](http://cicmar.org/en/projects-developed-by-cicmar/albatrosses-and-petrels-project)) and Uruguayan colleagues write this month about seabird assemblages around pelagic longliners in the south-western Atlantic Ocean in the journal *[Endangered Species Research](http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-home/)*.  They looked at interactions and competition between species and contrasted the gains from feeding on discards with the risks of being caught on baited hooks. The paper's abstract follows: "The region of the southwest Atlantic influenced by the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence (BMC) is important for globally threatened species of albatross and petrel.  This applies particularly to the area of the continental slope, due to the high rates of incidental catch from pelagic longliners.  We analysed the temporal variation in the seabird assemblage associated with this fishery, identified the species that make use of discards, and evaluated their interactions while foraging.  During 20 commercial fishing trips between 2005 and 2008, we completed 415 bird counts and recorded behavior in 172 of these.  The observed species richness (≥38 species) is greater than that reported for any other fishery in the region and was highest from October to April, although many species in the assemblage were significantly more abundant between May and September.  Only 14 species made significant use of discards, and all of these were albatrosses and petrels captured incidentally.  We observed within- and between-species competition for access to discards.  In general, the frequency of intraspecific competition was greater in the most abundant species, during the period of their greatest abundance.  Albatrosses were more successful in interspecific competitive interactions, and we observed a dominance hierarchy related to body size.  We conclude that the composition and seasonality of the seabird bycatch is determined by the spatiotemporal dynamics of the assemblage and by the observed pattern of interspecific interactions.  Discards from pelagic longline fleets operating in the BMC may be an important food source for at least 8 species of globally threatened seabirds.  Understanding the effect of discards on these populations could generate useful information for conservation, although reducing bycatch levels should be considered the main goal." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/Black_Browed_Albatross_dead_by_Graham_Robertson.jpg) No gain for this bird: a Black-browed Albatross dies on a longline hook Photograph by Graham Robertson **Reference:** Jiménez, S. Domingo, A., Abreu, M. & Brazeiro, A. 2011.  Structure of the seabird assemblage associated with pelagic longline vessels in the southwestern Atlantic: implications for bycatch.  [*Endangered Species Research* 15: 241-254](http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n015p241.pdf). With thanks to Sebastián Jiménez for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/discards-good-hooks-bad-gains-and-risks-to-albatrosses-and-petrels-foraging-around-pelagic-longliners.md) ## The Volvo Ocean Race and Wisdom the 61-year old Laysan Albatross get together to publicise pollution at sea The [Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012](http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/home.html) is a round-the-World yacht race now underway.  The race is running a [Keep the Ocean's Clean! Campaign](http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/3541_Keep-the-Oceans-Clean.html) to address the issue of marine pollution.  The campaign aims to "help raise awareness of the increasing volume of pollution that is swirling in our oceans and threatening sea-life across the globe". To support the campaign the Volvo Ocean Race has adopted [Wisdom A. Laysan Albatross](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Agreement-on-the-Conservation-of-Albatrosses-and-Petrels/153904041336670#!/wisdomthealbatross), the now-famous 61-year-old Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* currently breeding on the USA's Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, as its mascot (see [Wisdom's Ocean Zone](http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/village/html_6_index_page1.html)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom2_2011_pete_leary.jpg) Wisdom with her 2011 chick on Midway Photograph by Pete Leary The campaign includes sculptures created from marine debris and the like in each Race Port by João Parrinha of Portugal, Spain's Luis de Dios and Xandi Kreuzeder of Germany, working together as the artist collective [Skeleton Sea](http://www.skeletonsea.com/).  See also [http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/village/html_12_index_page1.html](http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/village/html_12_index_page1.html).  [Click here](http://www.skeletonsea.com/2011/11/skeleton-sea-the-volvo-ocean-race-village-in-cape-town/) to see the two fish the collective created out of marine debris and other junk in Cape Town.  Skeleton Sea was also involved with a [shore-line clean-up](http://www.skeletonsea.com/2011/12/%e2%80%98keep-the-oceans-clean%e2%80%99-in-cape-town/) along a Cape Town beach, which was attended by Wisdom the albatross mascot. As part of these outreach activities the South African component of BirdLife International's [Albatross Task Force](http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/) gave talks to visiting school children each day during late November/early December in the [Volvo Ocean Race Village](http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/village/html_29_index_page1.html) in Cape Town's [V&A Waterfront](http://www.waterfront.co.za/Pages/home.aspx)  ([click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/12/22/volvo-ocean-race-stop-over-in-cape-town.aspx)).  Cape Town was the first designated Race Port for the round-the-World race ([click here](http://www.volvooceanracecapetown.com/)) and the Wisdom mascot was in attendance at the official village opening on 25 November. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-volvo-ocean-race-and-wisdom-the-61-year-old-laysan-albatross-get-together-to-publicise-pollution-at-sea.md) ## Party time! Dance in the New Year with Pacific albatrosses OK, so this is not actually "latest news", but it is the end of 2011, so let's celebrate an eight-month daily streak* with *ACAP Latest News* by dancing in the New Year albatross-style. Choose your favourite albatross and enjoy! **Black-foots:** [Dance One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qYCCbgKzgM&feature=related) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-footed_albatross_kaena_point_lindsay_young.jpg) Black-footed Albatross at Kaena Point, Oahu, Hawaii Photograph by Lindsay Young **Laysans:** [Dance One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBm3oqMnWyo) [Dance Two](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpoGfbQ0l8o&NR=1&feature=endscreen) [Dance Three](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=018GZ8PSxbc&NR=1) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan_Albatross_Pair_Clarion_by_Ross_Wanless.JPG) Laysan Albatrosses on Isla Clarión, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico Photograph by Ross Wanless **Waveds:** [Dance One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5013pGsITw&feature=related) [Dance Two](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypNYiMvLS8Y&feature=related) [Dance Three](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAEw27lcYUw&feature=related) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_adult_john_cooper.jpg) Waved Albatross, Isla Española, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Photograph by John Cooper **Short-taileds (and other species):** [Dance One](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbfZSRz1jPk&feature=related) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short_tailed_albatross_kure_cynthia_ vanderlip.jpg) Short-tailed Albatross, Kure Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, USA Photograph by Cynthia Vanderlip All the best to all for 2012. ***a spell or run (informal) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 December 2012* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/party-time-dance-in-the-new-year-with-pacific-albatrosses.md) ## Seabird Smart Fishers' Workshops to be held in New Zealand: employment opportunity The [Southern Seabird Solutions Trust](http://www.southernseabirds.org/) is embarking on a "seabird smart" expertise-building programme with New Zealand's commercial inshore fishers. The [programme](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-workshops) will be delivered through a series of workshops where fishers will learn about the lives of seabirds they see around their vessels, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact of fishing on seabird populations.  Fishers will discuss and agree on the "current best practice" mitigation methods and practices for their fishing method and commit to using these as a collective. The content of the workshops will be tailored to fit each fishing fleet.  This includes consideration of the seabird interactions each fleet encounters (due to their fishing method and location) and what specific "seabird smart" practices are likely to work best for their vessels. The hope is that fishers will leave the workshops with a strengthened interest in seabirds, an understanding of "seabird smart" fishing practices suitable for their fishing method, and a strong motivation to use these at all times.  Assessments of the effectiveness of the workshops in motivating fishers and changing their attitudes and behaviour will be carried out in tandem with this project. The Trust is currently looking for an experienced facilitator/trainer to design and deliver three workshops to New Zealand inshore commercial fishers during the course of 2011.  The closing date for applications to the post is 13 July 2011.  [Click here](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-workshops) for more information. The Trust supports and encourages fishers in Southern Ocean fisheries to adopt responsible fishing practices.  It is an alliance that includes representatives from the seafood industry, New Zealand Government, WWF and Te Ohu Kaimoana who take a cooperative approach to seabird conservation. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_05_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/seabird-smart-fishers-workshops-to-be-held-in-new-zealand-employment-opportunity.md) ## Floating debris washed out to sea from the Japanese tsunami is expected to reach Hawaii's albatross islands next year The tsunami triggered by the Japanese earthquake in March 2011 caused the deaths of many thousands of North Pacific albatrosses ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds)). It also washed much floating debris into the ocean.  Projections of where all this debris might head to and eventually end up have been made by the [International Pacific Research Center](http://iprc.soest.hawaii.edu/index.php), University of Hawaii at Manoa, utilizing a model developed on the behaviour of drifting buoys deployed over years in the ocean ([click here](http://iprc.soest.hawaii.edu/news/press_releases/2011/maximenko_tsunami_debris.pdf)). The model suggests the debris will first spread out eastward from the Japan coast in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre.  In a year, the North-western Hawaiian Islands will see pieces washing up on their shores; in two years, the remaining Hawaiian Islands will see some effects; in three years, the plume will reach the west coast of North America from Alaska to Baja California.  The remaining debris will then drift into the "[North Pacific Garbage Patch](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/scientists-find-great-pacific-ocean-garbage-patch-thought-to-impact-north-pacific-albatrosses)", where it will wander around and break into smaller and smaller pieces.  In five years, Hawaiian shores can expect to see another barrage of debris as much of the debris leaving the North Pacific Garbage Patch ends up on Hawaii's reefs and beaches. The effects of this debris on the albatross populations of the North Pacific will only become known in time.  Already they are at risk from ingesting small floating plastic items (such as cigarette lighters, toothbrushes and toy soldiers) which they mistake for food.  These items are then regurgitated to their chicks, causing deaths among Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* and Black-footed *P. nigripes*Albatrosses at such breeding sites as [Kure](http://coris.noaa.gov/about/eco_essays/nwhi/kure.html) and [Midway](http://www.fws.gov/midway/) Atolls ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/dining-out-in-an-ocean-of-plastic-rates-of-plastic-ingestion-in-laysan-albatrosses-at-different-colonies)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/Black-footed_Albatross_by_James_Lloyd.jpg "Black-footed Albatross. Photograph by James Lloyd") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/floating-debris-washed-out-to-sea-from-the-japanese-tsunami-is-expected-to-reach-hawaiis-albatross-islands-next-year.md) ## Australia adopts a new Recovery Plan for albatrosses and giant petrels The first Australian Recovery Plan for albatrosses and giant petrels was released in October 2001 in recognition of the need to develop a co-ordinated conservation strategy for albatrosses and giant petrels listed as threatened under the *Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* ([EPBC Act](http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html)).  In terms of the Act, the [Environment Minister ](http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/index.html)must review a recovery plan at intervals of no longer than five years. The 2011-2016 Recovery Plan includes the results of that review process. The new Recovery Plan for albatrosses and giant petrels was approved on 23 May and entered into force on 25 May 2011 as an Australian legislative instrument, which in practice means that all national agencies (e.g. the [Australian Fisheries Management Authority](http://www.afma.gov.au)) must not act in a manner that is inconsistent with the actions prescribed in the plan.  Twenty-one species (19 albatrosses and two giant petrels), all listed within the Albatross and Petrel Agreement (ACAP) and following its taxonomy, are covered by the new Recovery Plan.  A Background Document reviews in broad terms what is known about the species covered, their distribution, the threats they face and how to avoid or reduce them, and the management consequences. The two documents have been developed by the Australian Antarctic Division ([AAD](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/)) of the [Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities](http://www.environment.gov.au). **References:** Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011.  *National Recovery Plan for Threatened Albatrosses and Giant Petrels 2011-2016.*  Hobart: Commonwealth of Australia.  30 pp. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011.  *Background Paper, Population Status and Threats to Albatrosses and Giant Petrels Listed as Threatened under the *Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999***. *Hobart: Commonwealth of Australia.  139 pp. [Click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/environment/plants-and-animals/albatrosses-and-giant-petrels) to access both the above documents. [Click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/science/southern-ocean-ecosystems-environmental-change-and-conservation/southern-ocean-fisheries/seabird-bycatch/threat-abatement-plan-seabirds) to access the Australian *Threat Abatement Plan 2006 for the Incidental Catch (or Bycatch) of Seabirds during Oceanic Longline Fishing Operations*. With thanks to Ian Hay, Australian Antarctic Division for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Shy/Shy_Albatrosses_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Shy Albatrosses endemic to Australia. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/australia-adopts-a-new-recovery-plan-for-albatrosses-and-giant-petrels.md) ## Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission to discuss seabird conservation measures for pelagic longline fisheries next week The 82nd Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission ([IATTC](http://www.iattc.org)) will be held in La Jolla, California, USA over 4-8 July 2011 ([click here](http://www.iattc.org/Meetings2011/Jun/PDFfiles/IATTC-82-Provisional-agenda-July-2011.pdf) for the meeting's agenda).  ACAP will be represented at the meeting by Marco Favero, Chair of its Advisory Committee. The meeting, among other matters, will consider Recommendation C-10-02 "Recommendation to Mitigate the Impact on Seabirds of Fishing for Species covered by the IATTC".  This recommendation emanating from the 81st Meeting of the IATTC held in September last year requires that longline vessels fishing for species covered by the IATTC in defined regions use at least two of a suite of listed mitigation measures. [Click here](http://www.iattc.org/Meetings2011/Jun/PDFfiles/IATTC-82-05c-Conservation-recommendations.pdf) for full details of the recommendation (including the regions to which it will apply). ACAP and BirdLife International have jointly prepared a document for the 82nd Meetingwith the purpose of updating the IATTC with recent progress in pelagic longline mitigation research, including the hook pod and the underwater setting capsule currently under development and testing, both of which aim to release baited hooks below the depths attainable by diving albatrosses and petrels. The document considers that the combined use of line-weighting, bird-scaring lines and night setting is the most effective way to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries.  An IATTC measure to reduce seabird bycatch should require longline vessels to use two of the three following mitigation measures in all areas in which seabird bycatch occurs: Night setting with minimum deck lighting, Bird-scaring (Tori) lines, and Weighted branch lines. With thanks to Marco Favero for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/inter-american-tropical-tuna-commission-to-discuss-seabird-conservation-measures-for-pelagic-longline-fisheries-this-week.md) ## Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust commences a Mitigation Mentoring Programme The Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust ([SSST](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-home)), based in New Zealand, has established an [International Mitigation Mentoring Programme](http://www.southernseabirds.org/n1759,182.html) to assist in the development of mitigation measures to reduce seabird mortality in fisheries. A major obstacle is knowing who to talk to about ideas, what the various developmental and testing phases are, and how to fund the work.  Many ideas have not progressed beyond the conceptual or early prototype stage, simply because the persons behind the ideas did not know what the next step should be. The mentoring programme will provide feedback and advice to fishers, scientists, researchers and other inventors who have innovative ideas or early prototypes that could potentially reduce the risk of seabirds being caught by commercial or recreational fishers.  Barry Baker, Technical Advisor within the ACAP Secretariat and Convenor of its Seabird Bycatch Working Group, is coordinating the delivery of the SSST's Mitigation Mentoring Programme. The scope of advice includes feedback on design, guidance on development and testing, and advice on potential collaborators or funders.  A referral group of 10 members has been established to lend their expertise on such topics such as fishing methods and practices, seabird behaviour, marine engineering, at-sea research, product development, fundraising expertise and ways to introduce new practices into fisheries. Fishers, scientists and researchers with a new mitigation idea should consider contacting Barry Baker via [info@southernseabirds.org](mailto:info@southernseabirds.org) for more information on the programme. A [Mitigation Development Pathway](http://www.southernseabirds.org/ss-mitigation_pathway) sets out a way to take a mitigation idea from concept to adoption.  It also includes case studies, telling the stories of other seabird mitigation ideas and devices.  This project is sponsored by WWF, Sealord, Sanford Ltd., Encounter Foundation and Maersk Line.  The Southern Seabird Solutions Trust is financially supported by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council and the New Zealand Department of Conservation. See also the [WWF International Smart Gear competition](http://www.smartgear.org/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_12_Fig2.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 July 2011, updated 5 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/southern-seabirds-solutions-trust-commences-a-mitigation-mentoring-programme.md) ## Restoring albatross and petrel breeding islands by eradicating alien plants around the World Whereas on-going efforts to rid seabird islands of introduced mammalian predators (such as cats and rats) are well known, efforts to eradicate or control alien plants on islands are generally not so well reported.  However, plants introduced to islands often become invasive when they can seriously alter natural ecosystems, with deleterious effects on indigenous biota, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. Efforts currently underway to eradicate alien plants on some of the more important albatross and petrels islands around the World are summarized below. Eastern Island (Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, North-western Hawaiian Islands) in the North Pacific is the site of a five-year, US$1.8 million effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to eradicate Golden Crown-beard *Verbesina encelioides*, a daisy-like plant that spreads readily and develops into waist- to head-high bushes, limiting habitat for breeding populations of seabirds, including ACAP-listed Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis* Albatrosses.  It has been found that the island's birds do not build nests in existing stands of *Verbesina*, decreasing available nesting habitat and new stands can grow rapidly around existing nest sites, preventing parent birds from feeding their chicks.  The chicks can then become trapped and are unable to fledge ([click here](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/stories/110629.html)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatrosses_midway_lindsay_young.jpg "Laysan Albatrosses on Midway. Photograph by Lindsay Young") Concerted attempts to eradicate *Verbesina* are also being made on [Kure Atoll](http://www.kureatollconservancy.org/#/Programs), another important albatross island in the North-western Hawaiian Island chain, where dense stands of the plant reduce air circulation and raise humidity during the hottest time of the year, increasing the risk of heat stress to both breeding adults and chicks. Elsewhere, in the South Atlantic eradication or control efforts are proceeding on all four islands in the Tristan da Cunha group, for Procumbent Pearlwort *Sagina procumbens* on [Gough](http://www.conservationevidence.com/Attachments/ede4dbbe-86a0-4af0-bbb3-113015c7d54b.pdf), New Zealand Flax *Phormium tenax* (and other plant species) on Nightingale and Inaccessible, and for Loganberry *Rubus loganobaccus* on the main island of [Tristan](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/index.htm).  A comprehensive survey of alien plants on the main island, concentrating on the Settlement Plain, is now available [on-line](http://dps.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/Tristan/GroupResources/Index). In recent years Wavy Bittercress *Cardamine flexuosa* was found at King Edward Point, South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*, thought brought in by building contractors.  Despite attempts to control the plant, it has continued to spread ([click here](http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28h%29South_Georgia_Newsletter%2C_December_2010)). Over in the southern Indian Ocean alien plant surveys have been undertaken in the last few years at the South African [Prince Edward Islands](http://www.nisc.co.za/oneAbstract?absId=1027) where efforts are continuing to eradicate two introduced grasses, Red Top Bent *Agrostis gigantea* and Couch Grass *Elytrigia* *repens*,which have as-yet limited distributions on Marion Island.  Several other plant species, including *Sagina procumbens* and*Cerastium fontanum*, are deemed to have spread too far around both the islands in the group to be eradicated. Somewhat in contrast in the southern Pacific only three alien plants (Annual Meadow Grass *Poa annua*, *Cerastium fontanum* and Common Chickweed *Stellaria media*) are found on Australia's [Macquarie Island](http://gcmd.nasa.gov/KeywordSearch/Metadata.do?Portal=GCMD&KeywordPath=%5BLocation%3A+Location_Category%3D'OCEAN'%2C+Location_Type%3D'SOUTHERN+OCEAN'%2C+Location_Subregion1%3D'MACQUARIE+ISLAND'%5D&OrigMetadataNode=AADC&EntryId=MI2010_11_Alien-plant-survey_JDS&MetadataView=Full&MetadataType=0&lbnode=mdlb1), where a recent island-wide survey of their distribution has been undertaken. With thanks to Martin Hamilton, Peter Ryan and Justine Shaw for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 July 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/restoring-albatross-and-petrel-breeding-islands-by-eradicating-alien-plants-around-the-world.md) ## ** UPDATED ** Fifth International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 13-17 August 2012: call for abstracts opens next month According to the [IAPC5 web site](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/event-summary-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx) the call for abstracts will open next month on 1 October. The closing date for submission of abstracts and for the early-bird registration will be 1 April 2012.  Information on the planned programme with session topics and themes may be found at [http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/custom-18-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/custom-18-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx). ********************* The Fifth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (IAPC5) will be held in the [Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa](http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/pages/default.aspx) on the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand over the period Monday 13 to Friday 17 August 2012.  Click here [www.iapc5.co.nz](http://www.iapc5.co.nz/) to access its web site. The organization of IAPC5 will be led by New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research ([NIWA](http://www.niwa.co.nz/home)). The conference will cover all aspects of albatross and petrel biology, ecology, distributions and tracking, taxonomy and human interactions.  It is intended to have four days of oral and poster sessions with a mid-week break for local outings.  Plans are also being made for pre- and/or post-conference excursions to view procellariiform seabirds at sea. The museum has modern facilities.  It has a large auditorium which seats over 300 people, a large display and catering space that will hold over 60 posters at one time, and it has additional spaces for concurrent sessions and workshops. Te Papa also incorporates an art gallery that holds the national art collection and mounts regular exhibitions, two cafes and several souvenir shops. Prospective attendees are advised to check the web site frequently as further information about the conference will be added to it in due course. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/White_capped/White-capped Albatross nest byDavid Thompson.jpg)  White-capped Albatross. Photograph by David Thompson The four previous International Albatross and Petrel Conferences were held in Hobart, Australia in 1995, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2000), Montevideo, Uruguay (2004) and in Cape Town, South Africa (2008). With thanks to Matt Rayner, ACAP Australasian News Correspondent  and David Thompson, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 July 2011, updated 2 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference-wellington-new-zealand-13-17-august-2012-conference-web-site-goes-live.md) ## Shall I breed or shall I moult? Trade-offs in Black-footed Albatrosses Sievert Rohwer of the Burke Museum and Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA and colleagues writing in the avian journal *The Condor* have looked at how flight feather moult in Black-footed Albatrosses *Phoebastria nigripes* affects breeding. The paper's abstract follows: "Many large birds cannot replace all their flight feathers annually, creating potential life-history tradeoffs between breeding and molting.  We show for the Black-footed Albatross (*Phoebastria nigripes*) that adults with overly worn primary flight feathers suffer reduced fledging success in the current breeding season and are likely to skip the next breeding season, even though they are still alive.  If worn flight feathers affect breeding detrimentally, it follows that worn flight feathers accumulate because time for molt is limited.  We show that individuals that spend more time breeding replace fewer flight feathers in the following molt.  Thus in the Black-footed Albatross incomplete molts link more time invested in breeding to reduced feather quality, and feather quality predicts breeding success in the current season and breeding effort in the following year.  Detrimental effects of flightfeather wear on breeding should be expected in other birds that cannot replace all their flight feathers annually.  As in other albatrosses, the primaries of the Black-footed Albatross are replaced in an intrinsic molt cycle that in most but not all individuals results in most flight feathers being replaced at least every second year." **Reference:** Rohwer, S., Viggiano, A. & Marzluff, J.M. 2011.  Reciprocal tradeoffs between molt and breeding in albatrosses.  [*Condor* 113: 61-70](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1525/cond.2011.100092). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/Black-footed_Albatross_by_James_Lloyd.jpg "Black-footed Albatross. Photograph by James Lloyd") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/shall-i-breed-or-shall-i-moult-trade-offs-in-black-footed-albatrosses.md) ## How many ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels are at risk to feral cats? [Elsa Bonnaud](http://www.elsa-bonnaud.fr/) (University of La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain) and colleagues writing in the journal *[Biological Invasions](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/journal/10530)* have reviewed the diets of feral cats *Felis catus* introduced to islands, finding that 113 species of birds have been recorded as prey. ACAP-listed species recorded include Grey *Procellaria cinerea* and White-chinned *P. aequinoctialis* Petrels and two species of mollymawk albatrosses *Thalassarche* spp., as well as a number of *Puffinus* shearwaters. The paper's abstract follows: "Cats are among the most successful and damaging invaders on islands and a significant driver of extinction and endangerment.  Better understanding of their ecology can improve effective management actions such as eradication.  We reviewed 72 studies of insular feral cat diet from 40 islands worldwide.  Cats fed on a wide range of species from large birds and medium sized mammals to small insects with at least 248 species consumed (27 mammals, 113 birds, 34 reptiles, 3 amphibians, 2 fish and 69 invertebrates).  Three mammals, 29 birds and 3 reptiles recorded in the diet of cats are listed as threatened by the IUCN.  However, a few species of introduced mammals were the most frequent prey, and on almost all islands mammals and birds contributed most of the daily food intake.  Latitude was positively correlated with the predation of rabbits and negatively with the predation of reptiles and invertebrates.  Distance from landmass was positively correlated with predation on birds and negatively correlated with the predation of reptiles.  The broad range of taxa consumed by feral cats on islands suggests that they have the potential to impact almost any native species, even the smallest ones under several grams, that lack behavioral, morphological or life history adaptations to mammalian predators.  Insular feral cat's reliance on introduced mammals, which evolved with cat predation, suggests that on many islands, populations of native species have already been reduced." **Reference:** Bonnaud, E., Medina, F.M., Vidal, E., Nogales, M., Tershy, B., Zavaleta, E., Donlan, C.J., Keitt, B., Le Corre, M. & Horwath, S.V. 2011.  The diet of feral cats on islands: a review and a call for more studies.  [*Biological Invasions* 13: 581-603](http://personnel.univ-reunion.fr/lecorre/papers/2010%20Biol%20Invasion%20Cat%20diet.pdf). The following paper was not included within the review.  It reports a feral cat at sub-Antarctic Marion Island feeding on a freshly-killed Light-mantled Sooty Albatross *Phoebetria palpebrata* chick. Berruti, A. 1981.  The status of the Royal Penguin and Fairy Prion at Marion Island, with notes on feral cat predation on nestlings of large birds.  *Cormorant* 9: 123-128. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Light_mantled/Light-mantled_Sooty_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Light-mantled Sooty Albatross chick. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/how-many-acap-listed-albatrosses-and-petrels-are-at-risk-to-feral-cats.md) ## Albatrosses, petrels and humans: planning invasive mammal eradication efforts on inhabited islands [Steffen Oppel](http://www.steffen-oppel.com/home.htm) of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)) and colleagues, writing in the journal *[Conservation Biology](http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0888-8892)*, have looked at how the presence of human populations on islands can complicate attempts to eradicate invasive mammals, such as rodents and feral cats. Although the majority of islands where ACAP-listed species breed are not permanently inhabited by humans, there are some notable exceptions. These include the main island of Tristan da Cunha (Atlantic Yellow-nosed *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* and Sooty *Phoebetria fusca* Albatrosses), some islands in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* (Black-browed Albatross *T. melanophris* and Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*) and some of the "high islands" in the USA's Hawaiian group (Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis*).  All of these islands support at least invasive mammal, so the advice given in this publication should aid the design and implementation of eradication efforts, as well as the design of  biosecurity protocols to reduce the risk of reintroductions. The paper's abstract follows: "Non-native invasive mammal species have caused major ecological change on many islands.  To conserve native species diversity, invasive mammals have been eradicated from several islands not inhabited by humans.  We reviewed the challenges associated with campaigns to eradicate invasive mammals from islands inhabited by humans and domestic animals.  On these islands, detailed analyses of the social, cultural, and economic costs and benefits of eradication are required to increase the probability of local communities supporting the eradication campaign.  The ecological benefits of eradication (e.g., improvement of endemic species' probability of survival) are difficult to trade-off against social and economic costs due to the lack of a common currency.  Local communities may oppose an eradication campaign because of perceived health hazards, inconvenience, financial burdens, religious beliefs, or other cultural reasons.  Besides these social challenges, the presence of humans and domestic animals also complicates eradication and biosecurity procedures (measures taken to reduce the probability of unwanted organisms colonizing an island to near zero).  For example, houses, garbage-disposal areas, and livestock-feeding areas can provide refuges for certain mammals and therefore can decrease the probability of a successful eradication.  Transport of humans and goods to an island increases the probability of inadvertent reintroduction of invasive mammals, and the establishment of permanent quarantine measures is required to minimize the probability of unwanted recolonization after eradication.  We recommend a close collaboration between island communities, managers, and social scientists from the inception of an eradication campaign to increase the probability of achieving and maintaining an island permanently free of invasive mammals." **Reference:** Oppel, S., Beaven, B.M., Bolton, M., Vickery, J. & Bodey, T.W. 2011.  Eradication of invasive mammals on islands inhabited by humans and domestic animals.  [*Conservation Biology* 25: 232-240](http://www.steffen-oppel.com/img/pdf/Oppel_etal_2011.pdf). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/conservation-guidelines/eradication-guidelines-acap) to access ACAP's eradication guidelines. With thanks to Steffen Oppel for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Sooty/Sooty_Albatross_chick_dead_by_Paul_Visser1.jpg "Sooty Albatross chick killed by an invasive House Mouse. Photograph by Paul Visser") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 08 July 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatrosses-petrels-and-humans-planning-invasive-mammal-eradication-efforts-on-inhabited-islands.md) ## Threatened shearwaters and the Albatross and Petrel Agreement Currently, the Albatross and Petrel Agreement lists 22 species of albatrosses (family Diomedeidae) and seven petrels of the genera *Macronectes* and *Procellaria*. In addition, nine species of shearwaters of the genera *Calonectris* and *Puffinus* have been considered as "potential candidate" species for listing within the Agreement ([AC5 Inf 15](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-information-papers)).  Two of these nine are considered threatened by IUCN/BirdLife International:  the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) Balearic *P. mauretanicus*  and the [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3931) Pink-footed *P. creatopus* Shearwaters. At the Fifth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee, held in Argentina in April 2010, France advised that in consultation with Spain it would give consideration jointly to proposing that the Balearic Shearwater be added to Annex 1 of the Agreement.  The Advisory Committee welcomed this advice and looked forward to considering the documentation, noting that a Species Assessment had been drafted by the Secretariat in 2008 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-final-report) for the meeting's report). In total 22 species of shearwaters are recognized, of which seven have been categorized as threatened ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciessearchresults.php?reg=&cty=&cri=&fam=18&gen=0&spc=&cmn=&hab=&thr=&bt=&rec=N&vag=N&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&SearchTerms=)for a list). It is now intended, in addition to these nine "potential candidate" species, to report occasionally on the remaining five threatened shearwater species in *ACAP Latest News* when the information available is relevant to the conservation management of ACAP-listed species. These five species, along with their known breeding localities and threatened status, are Buller's *P. bulleri* (Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand, [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3929)), Heinroth's *P. heinrothi* (Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3947)), Hutton's *P. huttoni* (Seaward Kaikoura Range, New Zealand, [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3942)), Newell's *P. newelli* (Hawaiian Islands, USA, [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3939)) and Townsend's *P. auricularis* (Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3938)).  Information on any of these species will thus be welcomed. However, the main focus of *ACAP Latest News* will continue to remain firmly directed to those species currently listed within the Agreement. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwater. Photograph by Daniel Oro") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 July 2011* * * [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/threatened-shearwaters-and-the-albatross-and-petrel-agreement.md) ## Great Barrier's Black Petrel population study reports on its 14th year Elizabeth (Biz) Bell ([Wildlife Management International](http://www.wmil.co.nz/index.html)) and colleagues in New Zealand have made available a further annual report in their series on the little-studied and [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3923) Black or Parkinson's Petrel *Procellaria parkinsoni,* an ACAP-listed species*.* The report's abstract follows: "This report is part of an on-going long‐term study of the black petrel, *Procellaria parkinsoni,*on Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) that was begun in the 1995/96 breeding season.  During the 2009/10 breeding season, 393 study burrows within the 35‐ha study area near Mount Hobson were checked and intensively monitored.  Of these, 244 were used by breeding pairs, 99 by nonbreeding adults and the remaining 50 burrows were non‐occupied.  By 9 May 2010, 158 chicks were still present in the study burrows and 22 had already fledged, corresponding to a breeding success of 74%.  Nine census grids were monitored within the study area and accounted for 155 of the inspected burrows and 152 study burrows, with 88 burrows being used for breeding.  Fortyone chicks from earlier breeding seasons were recaptured within the Mount Hobson colony area this season (a total of 94 ‘returned chicks' have been caught since the 1999/2000 season).  Twentysix random transects were surveyed in the study area and when compared with transects conducted in the 2004/05 season showed an apparent 22% decline over that period.  Modelling of the black petrel population on Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) was updated and indicated the population trend may lie anywhere between ‐2.4% and +1.6% per annum, the certainty driven primarily by uncertainty over juvenile survival.  Analysis of the census grid and transect data estimated the black petrel population from the 35‐ha area around Mount Hobson to be in the range of 2781 to 3287 birds." **Reference:** Bell, E.A., Sim, J.L. Scofield, P. & Francis, C**.**2011.  *Population parameters of the black petrels (Procellaria parkinsoni) on Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island), 2009/10*.  [POP2009-01 Black petrel population parameters.  82 pp](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/fishing/draft-pop2009-10-black-petrel-opulation-parameters.pdf). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/research-on-the-little-known-black-petrel-of-new-zealand) to access earlier reports on Black Petrels by Wildlife Management International. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/B/Black/Black_Petrel_by_Dept_of_Conservation_New_Zealand.jpg "Black Petrel, a New Zealand endemic with a Vulnerable threatened status") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/great-barriers-black-petrel-population-study-reports-on-its-14th-year.md) ## The Yelkouan Shearwater requires immediate management actions to avoid on-going population declines [Steffen Oppel](http://www.steffen-oppel.com/home.htm) ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk)) and colleagues writing in the journal *[Biological Conservation](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00063207)* have looked at the [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711002278#aff1](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711002278#aff1)conservation status of the [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3937) Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan* (a potential candidate ACAP species) at French and Maltese colonies in the eastern Mediterranean. The paper's abstract follows: "Many seabird species are experiencing population declines, with key factors being high adult mortality caused by fishery by-catch and predation by introduced predators on nesting islands.  In the Mediterranean, both of these pressures are intensive and widespread.  We studied the adult survival of an endemic Mediterranean seabird, the Yelkouan shearwater (*Puffinus yelkouan*), between 1969-1994 and 2007-2010 in Malta and between 2004-2010 in France using mark-recapture methods.  Mean annual survival probabilities for breeding adults were below 0.9 for all colonies and periods.  Between 1969-1994, annual survival for adults of unknown breeding status was on average 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.80) in Malta, possibly as a result of various human disturbances (including illegal shooting), light pollution and fisheries by-catch.  Over the period 2004-2010, we found strong support for variation in adult survival probabilities between breeders and non-breeders, and islands with and without introduced predators in France.  Survival probabilities for non-breeders (0.95, 0.81-1.0) appeared to be higher than for breeders (0.82, 0.70-0.94), but were imprecise partly due to low recapture probabilities.  In Malta, we found evidence for heterogeneity in survival probabilities between two unknown groups (probably breeders and non-breeders), and seasonal variation in survival probability.  Birds were more likely to survive the period including the peak breeding season than an equally long period during which they roam widely at sea.  Although annual adult survival probability was still low (0.85, 0.58-1.0), colony protection measures appear to have reduced mortality at nesting cliffs.  A population model indicated that colonies in France and Malta would currently require continuous immigration of 5-12 pairs per year to maintain stable populations.  Our estimates of adult survival probabilities over the past four decades are consistent with overall population declines.  Threats to Yelkouan shearwaters require immediate management actions to avoid ongoing population declines in the western Mediterranean." **Reference:** Oppel, S., Raine, A.F., Borg, J.J., Raine, H., Bonnaud, E., Bourgeois, K. & Breton, A.R. in press.  Is the Yelkouan shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan* threatened by low adult survival probabilities? *Biological Conservation* [doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.05.017](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711002278). [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Yelkouan/Yelkouan_Shearwater_Matthew_ Borg_Cardona.JPG "Yelkouan Shearwater. Photograph by Matthew Borg Cardona")](http://www.steffen-oppel.com/home.htm) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-yelkouan-shearwater-requires-immediate-management-actions-to-avoid-on-going-population-declines.md) ## Helping Southern Giant Petrels in the South Atlantic: ridding Big Samuel and Governor Islands of their alien rats Efforts by the island-based NGO partner of BirdLife International have been made to eradicate invasive Norway Rats *Rattus norvegicus* on islands and islets in the Samuel Islands Group, Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* over the last two years. One of the islands in the group, 50-ha Big Samuel, is thought to support a small breeding population of ACAP-listed Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus*.  Poison bait (304 kg of Ditrac wax blocks containing 50-ppm diphacinone) was hand broadcast along baiting lines spaced 50 m apart on 16 September 2009. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/big_samuel_island_sally_poncet.jpg "Big Samuel Island. Photograph from Sally Poncet") On 16 May 2011 a post-baiting check by Sally Poncet and Ken Passfield of the Beaver Island Landcare Group looked for fresh rat sign and deployed chewsticks on all five islands in the group.  No fresh rat sign was observed although there it was obvious that rats were once abundant on Big Samuel Island.  Old burrows were found in most of the coastal areas searched and shell fragments (mussels and limpets) were still present in some burrows, although no rat droppings were found. Chewsticks (pine wood sticks soaked in sunflower oil) were positioned at sites where rat sign had been recorded prior to baiting and/or at sites where rats would be likely to be found (e.g. sheltered beaches and near freshwater and food sources).  These chewsticks will serve as additional indicators when carrying out the final check of rodent status (scheduled two to three years after baiting) in order to confirm eradication success.  They will be examined at the final post-baiting check in spring/summer 2011/12. During the survey approximately 18 old Southern Giant Petrel nests were seen of which at least two appeared to have been in use during the previous 2010/11 season.  Breeding is expected to be confirmed during the planned summer visit. One year previously Governor Island (270 ha) in the Beaver Island Group (an [Important Bird Area](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=20843) in the Falkland Islands/ Islas Malvinas***)**was hand-baited with diphacinone in August 2008 by the Beaver Island Landcare Group.  The island was checked in April 2010 and again in May 2011 when no signs of rats were seen.  The island supports a large breeding colony of Southern Giant Petrels, estimated as 300 pairs in 2003. The Southern Giant Petrel breeding population of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* in 2004/05 was estimated to be approximately 19 529 pairs (range 18 420 - 20 377) breeding in 38 locations around the islands, with colony size varying from one to 10 936.  An updated survey is currently being collated. **References:** Anon. 2009.  Eradication work continues: seven more islands declared rat-free.  *Penguin News May 8, 2009*.  p. 5 Poncet, S. & Passfield, K. 2011*.  Post-eradication checks of islands baited between 2004 and 2009*.  Stanley: Beaver Island LandCare.  23 pp. Reid, T.A. & Huin, N. 2008.  Census of the Southern Giant Petrel population of the Falkland Islands.  [*Bird Conservation International* 18: 118-128](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=1878088). With thanks to Sally Poncet for information. *John Cooper ACAP Information Officer, 12 July 2011* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern Giant Petrel_pair Graham Robertson.jpg "Southern Giant Petrels. Photograph by Graham Robertson") *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/helping-southern-giant-petrels-in-the-south-atlantic-ridding-big-samuel-and-governor-islands-of-their-alien-rats.md) ## Is long-term sustainability of mutton-birding in doubt? A study of the Sooty Shearwater Rosemary Clucas ([Mathematics and Statistics Department](http://www.maths.otago.ac.nz/home/home.php), University of Otago, New  Zealand), writing in the journal *[Ecological Applications](http://www.esajournals.org/loi/ecap)*, has analysed catch diaries of mutton-birders exploiting chicks of the Sooty Shearwater *Puffinus griseus*, an ACAP potential candidate species. The paper's abstract follows: "The annual hunt of Muttonbirds (chicks of the Sooty Shearwater, *Puffinus griseus*), undertaken by the Rakiura Māori people of southern New Zealand, is economically and socially integral to their cultural identity.  Muttonbirders concerned at ensuring that the hunt remains viable for coming generations have provided catch records to help ascertain historic trends in hunt success.  Analysis of eight catch diaries for a 67-year period demonstrates considerable consistency across diaries in the variability of hunt success, as measured by annualized mean daily hunt tallies.  A conservative estimate of the overall annual decline in hunt success is -1.89% (95% CI: -1.14% to -2.65%).  Birders' observations of a changing relationship between chick quality and hunt success was evidenced across diaries.  Reduced hunt success from the 1990s indicates that possible adult "knockdowns" and/or sustained substantial reductions in breeding proportions have occurred.  Chick size has remained constant, suggesting little change in the provisioning environment.  Catch per unit effort data, provided by a single diary, confirms a link between variability in annual hunt success and chick abundance.  The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) are correlated with hunt success and chick size, respectively.  Interannual PDO+ (or PDO-) values are correlated with higher (or lower) tallies, whereas SAM+ (or SAM-) values are associated with larger (or smaller) chick size.  Uncertainty in the relationship between the breeding Sooty Shearwater population, chick catch, and environmental perturbation in their feeding grounds could be reduced with the inclusion of hunt time in all diary records.  Ongoing prolonged decline in a top-trophic-level predator such as the Sooty Shearwater raises serious concern that long-term oceanic changes have been occurring and that long-term sustainability of muttonbirding is in doubt." **Reference:** Clucas, R. 2011.  Long-term population trends of Sooty Shearwater (*Puffinus griseus*) revealed by hunt success.  [*Ecological Applications* 21:1308-1326](http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/09-0813.1?journalCode=ecap). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Sooty/sooty_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Sooty Shearwater. Photograph by John Graham") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/is-long-term-sustainability-of-mutton-birding-in-doubt-a-study-of-the-sooty-shearwater.md) ## Black-footed Albatrosses more at risk to Hawaiian longline fisheries than are Laysan Albatrosses Ramunas Zydelis ([Center for Marine Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment](http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/msc/), Duke University Marine Laboratory, USA) and colleagues, publishing on-line this year in the [Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/), have utilized telemetry data obtained from Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* and Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatrosses to ascertain the degree of overlap with Hawaiian fisheries. The paper's abstract follows: "Fisheries bycatch is a recognized threat to marine megafauna.  Addressing bycatch of pelagic species however is challenging owing to the dynamic nature of marine environments and vagility of these organisms.  In order to assess the potential for species to overlap with fisheries, we propose applying dynamic habitat models to determine relative probabilities of species occurrence for specific oceanographic conditions.  We demonstrate this approach by modelling habitats for Laysan (*Phoebastria immutabilis*) and black-footed albatrosses (*Phoebastria nigripes*) using telemetry data and relating their occurrence probabilities to observations of Hawaii-based longline fisheries in 1997-2000.  We found that modelled habitat preference probabilities of black-footed albatrosses were high within some areas of the fishing range of the Hawaiian fleet and such preferences were important in explaining bycatch occurrence.  Conversely, modelled habitats of Laysan albatrosses overlapped little with Hawaii-based longline fisheries and did little to explain the bycatch of this species.  Estimated patterns of albatross habitat overlap with the Hawaiian fleet corresponded to bycatch observations: black-footed albatrosses were more frequently caught in this fishery despite being 10 times less abundant than Laysan albatrosses.  This case study demonstrates that dynamic habitat models based on telemetry data may help to project interactions with pelagic animals relative to environmental features and that such an approach can serve as a tool to guide conservation and management decisions." **Reference:** Zydelis, R., Lewison, R.L., Shaffer, S.A., Moore, J.E., Boustany, A.M., Roberts, J.J., Sims, M., Dunn, D.C., Best, B.D., Tremblay, Y., Kappes, M.A., Halpin, P.A., Costa, D.P. & Crowder, L.B.  2011.  Dynamic habitat models: using telemetry data to project fisheries bycatch*.  Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences*  [doi: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0330](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/03/16/rspb.2011.0330.short). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan_&_Black-footed_Albatrosses.jpg "Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/black-footed-albatrosses-more-at-risk-to-hawaiian-longline-fisheries-than-are-laysan-albatrosses.md) ## Testing poison baits: further progress towards ridding Gough Island of its "killer mice" to save the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross Richard Cuthbert of the [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds](http://www.rspb.org.uk) and colleagues report this month in the journal *[Wildlife Research](http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/144/aid/2418.htm)* on the susceptibility to poison bait of the "killer mice" of Gough Island, home of the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*, whose chicks the introduced House Mice attack and kill at night. This and other recent research (see selected reference list below) is preliminary to an eradication attempt in the hopefully near future. The paper's abstract follows: "Introduced house mice (*Mus musculus*) are a serious predator of seabird chicks at Gough Island, resulting in declining populations of several threatened species. This has prompted the preparation of plans to eradicate mice from Gough and other islands.  However, relatively little is known about the palatability and efficacy of rodent baits for house mice, as most studies have focussed [sic] on rats (*Rattus* spp.). The study's aim was to test the palatability of non-toxic forms of two commercially available rodent pellet bait formulations (Pestoff® 20R and Final®) and a new pellet bait formulated specifically for mouse control (Pestoff® 20M) to house mice on Gough Island.  We also tested the efficacy of toxic Pestoff 20R and Final pellets containing 20 and 25 ppm of the anticoagulant toxin brodifacoum. Five trials with 50 mice housed in individual cages and kept at ambient temperature and light cycles, were undertaken during the year.  Palatability of bait pellets was measured over five days and compared with a non-toxic control food (standard ‘rodent pellets' sourced from a pet food supplier). Toxic bait trials were run for 25 days with bait administered at 1, 2 and 10 g for a 24-h period and at 20 g per day for 72 h. All three baits were highly palatable; however, mice showed the greatest preference for Pestoff 20M and 20R, consuming a larger mass of bait. Estimated oral LD50 values of brodifacoum for Gough mice were 0.44 mg kg-1 and the average time to death following exposure was 5.5 days (range 0-16 days).  Two mice (~1% of those tested) survived after apparently ingesting doses of brodifacoum estimated to be 5 and 10 times the oral LD50 values, potentially indicating a lower susceptibility to brodifacoum in some individuals, although subsequent exposure at higher doses resulted in mortality. The results of this study confirmed that house mice on Gough Island find bait pellets highly palatable and that brodifacoum is an effective toxin with LD50 values and time to death within the same range (0.4 to 0.52 mg kg-1 and 5.2 days) as other studies, indicating no major difference in the susceptibility of Gough mice to this poison. We recommend that bait manufacturers produce formulations designed to be attractive to mice and consider the use of higher concentrations of brodifacoum to increase the likelihood of all mice obtaining a toxic dose when small quantities of bait are consumed, although higher toxin concentrations must be balanced against the increased risks to non-target species.  Eradication operations targeting mice should undertake more than one bait drop to ensure any individuals surviving the initial drop have access to sufficient toxic bait to cause mortality upon second or subsequent exposure. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_chick_by_Ross_Wanless.jpg "Tristan Albatross chick being attacked by Gough's killer mice. Photograph by Ross Wanless") **References:** Angel, A. & Cooper, J. 2006.  A review of the impacts of introduced rodents on the islands of Tristan da Cunha and Gough. [*RSPB Research Report* No. 17](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/ReviewofImpacts_tcm9-181568.pdf).  58 pp. Angel, A, Wanless, R.M. & Cooper, J. 2009.  Review of impacts of the introduced House Mouse on islands in the Southern Ocean: are mice equivalent to rats?  [*Biological Invasions* 11: 1743-1754](http://www.springerlink.com/content/j57338103v047m1t/). Cuthbert, R.J., Visser, P., Louw, H. & Ryan, P.G. 2011**.**  Palatability and efficacy of rodent baits for eradicating house mice (*Mus musculus*) from Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha.  [*Wildlife Research* 38: 196-203](http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR11016). Cuthbert, R.J., Visser, P., Louw, H., Rexer-Huber, K., Parker, G. & Ryan, P G. In press.  Preparations for the eradication of mice from Gough Island: results of bait acceptance trials above ground and around cave systems.  In: Veitch, C.R., Clout, M.N. & Towns, D.R. (Eds).  *Island Invasives: Eradication and Management.*  Gland: World Conservation Union. Parkes, J. 2008.  A feasibility study for the eradication of House Mice from Gough Island.  [*RSPB Research Report* No. 34](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/goughisland_tcm9-220539.pdf). 51 pp. Torr, N., Golding, C. & Cuthbert, R.[J.] 2010.  *[Preliminary Operational Plan for Eradicating House Mice from Gough Island](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Gough_Island_Draft_Operational_Plan_Version_small_tcm9-280664.pdf). Version 1.0*. Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. 73 pp. Wanless, R.M., Ryan, P.G., Altwegg, R., Angel, A., Cooper, J., Cuthbert, R.J. & Hilton, G.M. 2009.  From both sides: dire demographic consequences of carnivorous mice and longlining for the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatrosses on Gough Island.  [*Biological Conservation* 142: 1710-1718](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320709001438). Wanless, R.M., Cooper, J., Slabber, M.J. & Ryan, P.G. 2010.  Risk assessment of birds foraging terrestrially at Marion and Gough Islands to primary and secondary poisoning by rodenticides.  [*Wildlife Research* 37: 524-530](http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR10005.htm). J*ohn Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 July 2011*  [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/testing-poison-baits-further-progress-towards-ridding-gough-island-of-its-qkiller-miceq-to-save-the-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross.md) ## Nippon Foundation Fellowships and the Law of the Sea: an opportunity for Parties to the Albatross and Petrel Agreement On 22 April 2004, the [United Nations](http://www.un.org/en/ ) and [The Nippon Foundation of Japan](http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/index.php3) concluded an agreement to provide capacity-building and human resource development to developing States Parties and non-Parties to UNCLOS ([United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea](http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/closindx.htm)) through a new Fellowship Programme. The Fellowship Programme is jointly executed by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea ([DOALOS](http://www.un.org/Depts/los/index.htm)) of the Office of Legal Affairs and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs ([DESA](http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/index.html)). The objective of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for advanced education and research in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and related disciplines including marine science in support of management frameworks, to Government officials and other mid-level professionals from developing States, so that they may obtain the necessary knowledge to assist their countries to formulate comprehensive ocean policy and to implement the legal regime set out in UNCLOS and related instruments. Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows should have an advanced awareness and understanding of key issues and best international practices in ocean affairs and are expected to return to their home-countries to contribute their experience to assist with the effective implementation of UNCLOS and related instruments and programmes.  Fellows should be able to design, implement and/or evaluate specific improvement projects in their home countries related to ocean affairs, develop a core leadership capacity and have an in-depth understanding of legal frameworks, methodologies and tools to improve further implementation of instruments and programmes and to provide for their effective enforcement in conformity with international law. The nine-month Fellowship Programme is composed of two consecutive phases which provide Fellows with advanced and customized research and training opportunities in their chose fields: - Phase One: six-month Advanced Academic Research and Study - undertaken at one of the participating host institutions and under the guidance of subject-matter expert(s) who have recognized in-depth expertise in the Fellow's chosen field of study. - Phase Two: three-month Research and Training - normally undertaken at DOALOS at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2011. For more information go to [http://www.un.org/depts/los/nippon/](http://www.un.org/depts/los/nippon/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/People/acap personalities_web.jpg "Delegates to an ACAP meeting: opportunity for a felllowship?") *Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary and John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/nippon-foundation-fellowships-and-the-law-of-the-sea-an-opportunity-for-parties-to-the-albatross-and-petrel-agreement.md) ## Oiled Black-browed Albatrosses photographed at sea in the South Atlantic During two hours of observations aboard a fishing trawler on 1 July 2011 assumed oil-stained Black-browed Albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* were recorded by Graham Parker at 45° 01'S, 60° 41'W on the high seas in the South Atlantic Ocean. Of the approximately 500 Black-browed Albatrosses present around the vessel, a minimum of 11 oil-stained individuals were recorded as being distinctly marked.  In the worst case the entire breast of the bird was darkly covered in oil, and in the least affected just a few marks were present around the neck and head regions. There were a large number of Southern Royal Albatrosses *Diomedea* *epomophora* and Kelp Gulls *Larus dominicanus* present but no oil stains were observed on either species.  No oiled-stained giant petrels *Macronectes* spp., White-chinned Petrels *Procellaria aequinoctialis* or Cape Petrels *Daption capense* were observed of these largely dark-coloured species.  No oil was present in the water around the fishing vessel. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/lightly oiled dim.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/mod oiled dim.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/oiled dim.jpg "Oiled Black-Browed Albatross. Photograph by Graham Parker") Oiled Black-browed (and other) albatrosses are occasionally seen at breeding colonies in the South Atlantic in small numbers, but sightings at sea appear rare. **Reference:** Huin, N. & Croxall, J.P. 1996.  Fishing gear, oil and marine debris associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia, during 1993/1994.  [*Marine Ornithology*24: 19-22](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/24/24_3.pdf). With thanks to Graham Parker, Richard Phillips and Anton Wolfaardt for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/oiled-black-browed-albatrosses-photographed-at-sea-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## (Over) lighting up the place: Hawaii's Newell's Shearwaters are at risk when fledging - and from feral cats The internationally [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3939) Newell's Shearwater *Puffinus newelli*, endemic to the "high islands' of Hawaii, USA, is at risk from alien predators, collisions with power lines and towers, and from artificial lighting which downs especially fledglings.   The species is categorized as "Threatened" in the USA under the [Endangered Species Act](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act) of 1973 However, efforts are being made to improve the conservation status of the species.  For example, the controversial "Trap, Neuter, and Release" feral cat control programme on Kaua‘i is being reconsidered ([click here](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/stories/110628.html)).  See also [http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_677905e2-97f4-11e0-b89b-001cc4c002e0.html](http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_677905e2-97f4-11e0-b89b-001cc4c002e0.html). The Kaua'i Seabird Habitat Conservation Plan ([KSHCP](http://www.kauai-seabirdhcp.info/background/overview.html)) Project was initiated in 2005 in order to foster outreach and implementation of island-wide measures aimed at avoiding and minimizing the harmful impacts of outdoor lighting, utilities and other sources of incidental take on endangered and threatened seabirds, including Newell's Shearwater.  See also the web site of the ['Save our Shearwaters'](http://www.kauaihumane.org/shearwaters.asp)programme of the Kauai Humane Society. The problems of artificial lighting and collisions with human-made structures are not hugely significant for ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, because most breed on uninhabited islands with limited infrastructure.  However, the problems of introduced predators, including feral cats, but also rodents and feral pigs, are acute at a number of breeding localities.  [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/conservation-guidelines/eradication-guidelines-acap) to access ACAP's **Guidelines for the Eradication of Introduced Mammals from Breeding Sites of ACAP-listed Seabirds**. **Selected References:** Day, R.H. & Cooper, B.A. 1995.  Patterns of movement of Dark-rumped Petrels and Newell's Shearwaters on Kauai.  [*Condor* 97: 1011-1027](http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v097n04/p1011-p1027.pdf). Day, R.H., Cooper, B.A. & Telfer, T.C. 2003.  Decline of Townsend's (Newell's) shearwaters (*Puffinus auricularis newelli*) on Kauai, Hawaii.  [*Auk* 120: 669-679](http://www.jstor.org/pss/4090098). Podolsky, R., Ainley, D.G., Spencer, G., Deforest, L. & Nur, N. 1998.  Mortality of Newell's Shearwaters caused by collisions with urban structures in Kauai.  [*Colonial Waterbirds* 21: 20-34](http://www.jstor.org/pss/1521727). Telfer, T.C., Sincock, J.L., Byrd, G.V. & Reed, J.R. 1987.  Attraction of Hawaiian seabirds to lights: conservation efforts and effects of moon phase.  [*Wildlife Society Bulletin* 15: 406-413](http://www.jstor.org/pss/3782548). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 July 2011, updated 19 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/over-lighting-up-the-place-hawaiis-newells-shearwaters-are-at-risk-when-fledging-and-from-feral-cats.md) ## Mexico's Critically Endangered Townsend's Shearwater is at risk from cats, sheep and mosquitoes Townsend's Shearwater *Puffinus auricularis* is a [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3938) seabird endemic to the Revillagigedo Archipelago of Mexico.  The shearwater now breeds on only one island, Socorro, in the group, where it is at risk from predation by introduced feral cats *Felis catus*and habitat destruction by introduced domestic sheep *Ovis aries*. The species formerly bred on Islas San Benedicto and Clarión in the Revillagigedos which still support ACAP-listed Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* (46 pairs in 2002/03 on the latter island; [click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/the-laysan-albatrosses-of-isla-clarion-mexico-complete-breeding-failure-in-200203)). As well as from the cats and sheep, a recent publication by Jenny Carlson ([Department of Biology, San Francisco State University](http://biology.sfsu.edu/), USA) and colleagues warns that the shearwater, and the other birds of Socorro, may now be now at risk from *Plasmodium* parasite-infected mosquitoes. The island group has been listed on Mexico's World Heritage [Tentative List](http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5395/) from 2008 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/north-pacific-albatross-breeding-sites-head-for-world-heritage-status) for an earlier news item).  The group has had an international status as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance since 2004 ([Site No. 1357](http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-annolist-annotated-ramsar-16517/main/ramsar/1-30-168%5E16517_4000_0__)).  A [management plan](http://www.conanp.gob.mx/que_hacemos/pdf/programas_manejo/revillagigedo.pdf)has been produced for the Revillagigedos, which are a Mexican Biosphere Reserve. **Selected References:** Carlson, J.S., Martínez-Gómez, J.E., Cornel, A., Loiseau, C. & Sehgal, R.N.M. 2011.  Implications of *Plasmodium* parasite infected mosquitoes on an insular avifauna: the case of Socorro Island, México.  [*Journal of Vector Ecology* 36: 213-220](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1948-7134.2011.00159.x/full). Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas 2004.  *[Programa de Conservación y Manejo Reserva de La Biosfera Archipiélago de Revillagigedo](http://www.conanp.gob.mx/que_hacemos/pdf/programas_manejo/revillagigedo.pdf)*.  Tlalpan: Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas.  220 pp. Martínez-Gómez, J.E. & Jacobsen, J.K. 2004.  The conservation status of Townsend's shearwater *Puffinus auricularis auricularis.  [Biological Conservation](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000632070300171X)*[116: 35-47](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000632070300171X). Pitman, R.L. & Ballance[,](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1676/0043-5643(2002)114%5B0011:TCSOMB%5D2.0.CO%3B2#n1) L.T. 2002.  The changing status of marine birds breeding at San Benedicto Island, Mexico.  [*The Wilson Bulletin* 114: 11-19](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1676/0043-5643(2002)114%5B0011:TCSOMB%5D2.0.CO%3B2). Walter, H.S. & Levin, G.A. 2007.  Feral sheep on Socorro Island: facilitators of alien plant colonization and ecosystem decay.  [Diversity and Distributions 14: 422-431](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2007.00407.x/full). Wanless, R.M., Aguirre-Muñoz, A., Angel, A., Jacobsen, J.K., Kent, B.S. & McCann, J. 2009.  Birds of Clarion Island, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico.  [*The Wilson Journal of Ornithology* 121: 722-729](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1676/08-140.1). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan_Albatross_Pair_Clarion_by_Ross_Wanless.JPG "Laysan Albatrosses on Isla Clarion. Photograph by Ross Wanless") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/mexicos-critically-endangered-townsends-shearwater-is-at-risk-from-both-cats-and-mosquitoes.md) ## Cartoons show fishers and observers how to release albatrosses caught on hooks and in nets without harm Commercial and recreational fishers, through lack of experience and advice, are often nervous when dealing with live seabirds that are caught accidentally as part of fishing operations.  Recent reports have confirmed this from both sides of the South Atlantic from observers aboard both trawlers and longliners.  The problem is thought due to a lack of education on how to handle live seabirds properly and/or from being afraid of injury by their sharp beaks, especially from the larger species such as the ACAP-listed albatrosses and giant petrels. In an attempt to educate fishers (and fishery observers) the [Albatross Task Force team](http://www.birdlife.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=89), which is part of the [Seabird Division](http://www.birdlife.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=49) of [BirdLife South Africa](http://www.birdlife.org.za/), has produced two cartoons to show how to handle and release a live seabird with a hook in it or that has been retrieved from a trawl.  If the advice given in them is followed birds will be able to be released at sea without facing further injury. The cartoons are being distributed to commercial fishing vessels, as well as to boat and fishing clubs and to small harbours in southern Africa. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/cartoon_birdlife_south_africa.jpg "Cartoons by BirdLife South Africa")![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/cartoon2_birdlife_south_africa.jpg) With thanks to Bronwyn Maree and Graham Parker for information.  The cartoons were drawn by Siyafiso Yalo. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/cartoons-show-fishers-and-observers-how-to-release-albatrosses-caught-on-hooks-and-in-nets-without-harm.md) ## South Atlantic albatross and petrel art can help conservation efforts Education and increasing awareness is one of the basic aims of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement.  Section 6 of ACAP's Action Plan calls for Parties to "seek to make local communities and the public in general more aware of the status of albatrosses and petrels and the threats facing them".  One of the many ways this can be achieved is through the medium of art.  Depicting ACAP-listed species as charismatic animals to admire and to cherish can only help raise consciousness among viewers and thus indirectly contribute to their conservation.  Leigh-Anne Wolfaardt is an artist currently living and working in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)*.  She has a particular interest in the wild and spectacular environments of islands, finding these isolated havens great sources of inspiration for her art, and has spent many years living on and exploring islands in South Africa and more recently in the South Atlantic, where among other subjects she has been drawn to including albatrosses and giant petrels in her art. Leigh-Anne is passionate about translating the beauty and diversity of the natural world into fresh and innovative art. She uses a range of media and techniques in her artwork, from loose and colourful pen and ink artwork, to detailed technical drawings, scraperboard, linocuts, oil-on-canvas paintings and sculptures. Her illustrations have been published in natural history guidebooks and interpretative material, as well as in educational and children's storybooks. She has exhibited her paintings in a number of solo and group exhibitions. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/painting_storm wanderer_96dpi.jpg "Storm Wanderer") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/linoprint_wandering albatross_96dpi.jpg "Wandering Albatross lino print") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/painting_smoko at the lighthouse_96dpi.jpg "Painting smoko at the lighthouse") Leigh-Anne produces a series of hand-printed and hand-inked linocut prints, supplying these to clients throughout the world.  She also produces a colourful range of cards and prints, depicting the wildlife and beauty of the South Atlantic.  She is currently working on a number of commissions inspired by the South Atlantic, its natural environment, as well as its people. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/illustration_black-browed albatross pair_96dpi.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/illustration_southern giant petrel and chick_96dpi.jpg) You can see more of her work and read her blog on her website:  [www.leighwolfaardt.com](http://www.leighwolfaardt.com/). With thanks to Leigh-Anne Wolfaardt for information - and for the above selection from her work.  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 July 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatross-and-petrel-art-can-help-conservation-efforts.md) ## Making a difference: Hutton's Shearwater, an Endangered New Zealand endemic seabird, gets community support The [Hutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust](http://www.huttonsshearwater.org.nz/ ) was formed in 2008 to encourage and promote the conservation, research, public education and sustainable management of Hutton's Shearwater *Puffinus huttoni.* Hutton's Shearwater is an [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3942) seabird endemic to Kaikoura on the mainland of North Island, New Zealand  where it breeds in the Seaward Kaikoura Ranges at elevations from 1200-1800 m in two remaining colonies.  These colonies are under threat from pigs *Sus scrofa*, Stoats *Mustela erminea* and other introduced predators, and from natural hazards such as avalanches and earthquakes. From 2005 to 2008 the New Zealand Department of Conservation led a [translocation project](http://www.huttonsshearwater.org.nz/projects.html) whereby nearly 300 chicks were moved from the Kowhai mountain colony to the Kaikoura Peninsula in an attempt to establish a third breeding colony.  The translocated chicks were placed in artificial burrows. The first record of a bird returning to the translocation colony was in December 2008.  More birds returned in summer 2009/10 at the time that a predator-proof fence was being erected.  The fence was completed in February 2010 and an intensive pest eradication programme was undertaken in June 2010.  Two incubating birds that had been translocated to the site as chicks were found in burrows during the 2010/11 summer as presumed first-time breeders, although both eggs were subsequently lost ([click here](http://www.huttonsshearwater.org.nz/documents/NewsletterJan2011.FINAL.pdf) for more details in the latest newsletter of the Trust). The Trust has also been investigating the migration of Hutton's Shearwaters by attaching geo-locators to leg bands.  In January 2010, 20 of these devices were put on breeding shearwaters in the Kowhai colony.   Preliminary analyses of 18 recovered devices show post-breeding movements into Australian waters. The activities of the Hutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust demonstrate how a local community can come together to successfully address a local conservation issue.  What ACAP-listed species could benefit from such an approach? **Selected references:** Cuthbert, R.J. 1999.  *The breeding ecology and conservation of Hutton's shearwater (*Puffinus huttoni*).* PhD Thesis, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Cuthbert, R.[J.] 2001.  The role of introduced mammals and inverse density-dependent predation in the conservation of Hutton's shearwater.  [*Biological Conservation* 108: 69-78](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320702000915). Cuthbert, R.[J.] 2001.  Conservation and ecology of Hutton's shearwater *(Puffinus huttoni). [Conservation Advisory Science Notes](http://192.206.154.93/upload/documents/science-and-technical/casn335.pdf)*[No. 335.  35 pp](http://192.206.154.93/upload/documents/science-and-technical/casn335.pdf). Cuthbert, R.[J.] 2003.  Sign left by introduced and native predators feeding on Hutton's shearwaters *Puffinus huttoni*.  [*New Zealand Journal of Zoology* 30: 163-170](http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/publications/journals/nzjz/2003/018/). Cuthbert, R.[J.] & Davis, L.S. 2002.  The impact of predation by introduced stoats on Hutton's shearwaters, New Zealand.  [*Biological Conservation* 108: 79-92](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320702000927). Cuthbert, R.[J.] & Davis, L.S. 2002.  The breeding biology of Hutton's Shearwater.** **[*Emu*102: 323-329](http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=MU01032). Cuthbert, R.[J.] & Davis, L.S. 2002.  Adult survival and productivity of Hutton's Shearwaters.  *Ibis*[http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ibi.2002.144.issue-3/issuetoc](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ibi.2002.144.issue-3/issuetoc) 144: 423-432. [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1474-919X.2002.00071.x/full](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1474-919X.2002.00071.x/full) Cuthbert, R.[J.] & Sommer, E. 2003.  Home range, territorial behaviour and habitat use of stoats (*Mustela erminea*) in a colony of Hutton's shearwater (*Puffinus huttoni*), New Zealand.  [*New Zealand Journal of Zoology* 29: 149-160](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03014223.2002.9518298). Cuthbert, R.[J.], Fletcher, D. & Davis, L.S. 2001.  A sensitivity analysis of Hutton's shearwater: prioritizing conservation research and management [*Biological Conservation* 100:  163-172](http://www.maths.otago.ac.nz/home/downloads/david_fletcher/Cuthbert_et_al_2001.pdf). Cuthbert, R.[J.], Sommer, E. & Davis, L.S. 2000.  Seasonal variation in the diet of stoats in a breeding colony of Hutton's shearwaters.  [*New Zealand Journal of Zoology* 27: 367-373](http://sandbox.royalsociety.org.nz/publications/journals/nzjz/2000/043/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/making-a-difference-huttons-shearwater-an-endangered-new-zealand-endemic-seabird-gets-community-support.md) ## Progress with the Plan of Action for the Critically Endangered Waved Albatross of the Galapagos to be discussed in Ecuador next month The purpose of the Waved Albatross Plan of Action developed over the course of 2007 and 2008 by the Governments of Ecuador and Peru in collaboration with the Albatross and Petrel Agreement is to provide managers, scientists and stakeholders with a summary of the biology, status and threats, together with actions needed, to improve the conservation status of this [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3955) species.  The Plan of Action was adopted at the Fourth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2009. At the Sixth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, to be held in Ecuador at the end of next month, consideration will be given to progress so far achieved in the implementation of the Waved Albatross Plan of Action. The Advisory Committee will also produce advice for next year's Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to ACAP on mechanisms to be followed for a review and efficient implementation of the Plan of Action. One way this will be achieved is by the establishment of a Steering Committee to guide the process.  It is intended the Steering Committee will be composed of representatives of the Governments of Ecuador and Peru, as well as of those NGOs already involved in the implementation of the POA. To obtain further information consult [AC6 Doc. 29](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents)(Implementation of the ACAP Waved Albatross Plan of Action) and the Plan of Action itself  ([AC4 Doc. 50 rev.4](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac-4/ac4-meeting-documents)). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for the Waved Albatross. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_ Albatross_incubating_by_Kate_Huyvaert.jpg "Incubating Waved Albatross. Photograph by Kate Huyvaert") ACAP's Information Officer will be visiting the Waved Albatross breeding colony on Española Island in the Galapagos next month, so realizing a long-held ambition.  Watch *ACAP Latest News*for a photo gallery on the species in due course! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/progress-with-the-plan-of-action-for-the-critically-endangered-waved-albatross-of-the-galapagos-to-be-discussed-in-ecuador-next-month.md) ## Analysis of long-term population data for the Northern Royal Albatross will improve risk assessment in relation to trawl and longline fisheries New Zealand's [Marine Conservation Services Annual Plan](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/approved-mcs-annual-plan-2011-12.pdf) published on-line this month includes services to be delivered that are subject to cost recovery from the commercial fishing industry.  The Conservation Services Programme's objectives are to understand the nature and extent of adverse effects from commercial fishing activities on protected species in New Zealand fisheries waters and to develop effective solutions to mitigate these adverse effects. One such ‘service' for 2011/12 is to update estimates of key population parameters using existing information for the Northern Royal Albatross *Diomedea sanfordi*. The internationally [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30005) Northern Royal Albatross is classified as "Naturally Uncommon" within New Zealand, and breeds primarily at the Chatham Islands, with a small population at [Taiaroa Head](http://www.albatross.org.nz/) on the Otago Peninsula, South Island.  This mainland locality supports one of the very few albatross breeding colonies which can be easily viewed by the public. The species has been observed captured in offshore trawl and surface longline fisheries and recent quantitative risk assessment work has found considerable potential risk from a range of trawl and longline commercial fisheries.  Sensitivity analysis performed as part of this risk assessment found much of the uncertainty around estimated risk came from uncertainty around estimates of adult survival and number of breeding pairs. Whereas detailed information from the main breeding colonies is generally poor, the Taiaroa Head colony has been intensively monitored over many years and the potential exists for further analysis of these data to update and improve estimates of adult survival and other population dynamics relevant to assessing susceptibility of the species to human-induced impacts. A technical report or reports describing the methods used and estimates derived for key population parameters of the Northern Royal Albatrosses of the Taiaroa Head colony will be the outcome of the project. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/N/Northern_Royal/Northern_Royal_Albatross_500th_chick_by_Lyndon_Perriman.jpg "A Northern Royal Allbatross broods its chick at Taiaroa Head. Photograph by Lyndon Perriman") Other activities to address fisheries-induced seabird mortality outlined in the 2011/12 Annual Plan include: Identification of seabirds captured in New Zealand fisheries; Undertaking a population study trial and investigating at-sea distribution of the Flesh-footed Shearwater *Puffinus carneipes*; Mitigating seabird captures from New Zealand Scampi *Metanephrops challengeri* trawls; Developing strategies to increase line sink rates and novel methods to reduce availability of hooks to seabirds in inshore bottom longline fisheries; Producing a bimonthly *Protected Species Bycatch Newsletter*addressed totrawl and longline fishers; Protected species mitigation training for commercial fishing vessel crews; and Reviewing mandatory seabird-scaring devices on offshore commercial trawl fishing vessels. [Click here](http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/native-animals/birds/plan-to-reduce-catch-of-seabirds/) to access the 2004 National Plan of Action to Reduce the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in New Zealand Fisheries. **Reference:** Department of Conservation 2011.  *[Marine Conservation Services Annual Plan 2011/12](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/approved-mcs-annual-plan-2011-12.pdf)*.  Wellington: Marine Conservation Services, Department of Conservation.  70 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/analysis-of-long-term-population-data-for-the-northern-royal-albatross-will-improve-risk-assessment-in-relation-to-trawl-and-longline-fisheries.md) ## Tristan da Cunha - home of endemic Tristan Albatross and Spectacled Petrel - gets a seabird-friendly Marine Stewardship Council-certified fishery The Tristan da Cunha islands, which include the [Gough and Inaccessible Islands World Heritage Site](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740),  form part of a United Kingdom Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic.  The islands have been in the news this year because of the *Oliva*oiling disaster at Nightingale Island which killed thousands of Northern Rockhopper Penguins *Eudyptes chrysocome* from oiling and led to a major rehabilitation attempt ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/breaking-news-bulk-carrier-ms-oliva-has-run-aground-on-tristans-nightingale-island)). The UK ratification of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement was extended to Tristan da Cunha in April 2006, after the adoption of new conservation legislation by Tristan which takes account of the text and requirements of the Agreement.  The island group is home to six species of breeding ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, and a further six non-breeding visitors.  Three of the breeding species, the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*, the [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3965) Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* and the [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30027) Spectacled Petrel *Procellaria conspicillata*, are all endemic to the group.  The remaining breeding ACAP species are the [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3967) Sooty Albatross *Phoebetria fusca*, Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus* and [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3925) Grey Petrel *P. cinerea*. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_by_Ross_Wanless_and_Andrea_Angel.jpg "Tristan Albatross and chick on Gough IsIand. Photograph by Andrea Angel/Ross Wanless") The single commercial fishery within Tristan territorial waters, for Tristan Rock Lobster *Jasus tristani*, achieved certification with the [Marine Stewardship Council](http://www.msc.org) last month ([click here](http://www.msc.org/newsroom/news/sustainable-seafood-on-the-waterfront-shoreline-cafe-and-tristan-da-cunha-rock-lobster-fishery-secure-msc-certification)).  Tristan Rock Lobsters are found almost exclusively within the territory and the island community relies heavily upon the fishery as the main source of revenue for its resident population of 264 people ([click here](http://www.tristandc.com)).  The annual catch was 435 tonnes in the 2008/09 season and is currently sold mainly to markets in Japan and the USA. Cape Town fishing company Ovenstone Agencies is the sole concession holder for the fishery.  Fishing at the three outer islands of Gough, Inaccessible and Nightingale is conducted by Ovenstone's freezer factory vessel, the m.v. *Edinburgh* and her four dories, which fish using bottom-set traps.  Fishing at the main island of Tristan is conducted by Tristan Islanders using nine dories with both hoop nets and smaller traps.  The fishery is managed by the Tristan da Cunha Fisheries Department, which sets an annual catch quota for each individual island in the group, taking into account scientific advice from South Africa's University of Cape Town. During a certification workshop held in Cape Town in 2010, the ACAP Information Officer contributed to the discussion, advising on ways to reduce mortality of seabirds attracted by working lights to the fishing vessel at night.  As a consequence of this and of other inputs, the fishery may now be regarded as a "seabird friendly one" and mortality of ACAP-listed species is not expected to be a concern. Another Southern Ocean fishery, the Heard and McDonald Islands Mackerel Icefish *Champsocephalus gunnari* trawl fishery, was recertified by the MSC last month ([click here](http://www.msc.org/newsroom/news/heard-island-and-mcdonald-island-mackerel-icefish-fishery-gains-msc-recertification?fromsearch=1&isnewssearch=1&b_start:int=10)).  Several other Southern Ocean fisheries that impact with (or have the potential to impact with) ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council or are in the process of certification ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/helping-save-albatrosses-and-petrels-through-marine-stewardship-council-certification-of-southern-ocean-toothfish-fisheries) and follow the links). **References:** Ryan, P.G. 1991.  The impact of the commercial lobster fishery on seabirds at the Tristan da Cunha Islands, South Atlantic Ocean.  [*Biological Conservation* 57: 339-350](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000632079190076L). Wolfaardt A.C, Glass, J.[P] & Glass, T. 2009.  *[Tristan da Cunha Implementation Plan for the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP): Review of Current Work and a Prioritised Work Programme for the Future](http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/pub10_TristandaCunhaACAPplan.pdf)*.  Edinburgh, Tristan da Cunha: Tristan da Cunha Government.  46 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/tristan-da-cunha-home-of-endemic-tristan-albatross-and-spectacled-petrel-gets-a-seabird-friendly-marine-stewardship-council-certified-fishery.md) ## Pacific Seabird Group Annual Meeting 2010: abstracts of papers on ACAP-listed albatrosses available on-line The 37th Annual Meeting of the [Pacific Seabird Group](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org) was held in Long Beach, California, USA in February 2010.  Abstracts of presentations are now available [on-line](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/downloads/PSG2010_Abstracts.pdf).  Titles and authors of 14 presentations that dealt with ACAP-listed albatrosses and "potential candidate" shearwater species are listed below. Vessel-specific seabird bycatch in Alaska demersal longline groundfish fisheries, 2004-2007.  Kim Dietrich & Shannon Fitzgerald A pilot project on seabird interactions with paravane gear on an Alaskan groundfish trawl catcher processor.  Shannon Fitzgerald, Todd Loomis & Jeff Pesta.  Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes* Influence of water masses on the distribution and abundance of seabirds in the northeastern Chukchi Sea.  Adrian Gall, Robert Day & Caryn Rea.  Short-tailed Shearwater *Puffinus tenuirostris* Diving behavior of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters.  Julia Gleichman, David Hyrenbach & Nina Karnovsky.  *Puffinus pacificus* Crying wolf? are Black-footed Albatross really endangered?  Craig S. Harrison.  *Phoebastria nigripes* Global distribution and conservation of threatened seabird breeding islands.  Reina Heinz, Bernie Tershy, Kelly Newton, Sarah Horwath & Donald Croll Albatross appetite for pelagic plastics: patterns across the north Pacific and relationship to organic contaminants  Robert Henry, Suhash Harwani, Donald Croll, Bernie Tershy, June-Soo Park, Myrto Petreas, Scott Shaffer, Michelle Kappes, Yann Tremblay, Daniel Costa, Cynthia Vanderlip & Charles Moore.  Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* & Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatrosses Wintering habitat use patterns by threatened Pink-footed Shearwaters.  Peter Hodum, David Hyrenbach & Josh Adams.  *Puffinus creatopus* Restoration of endangered seabirds in the main Hawaiian islands.  Nick Holmes, Cathleen Bailey, Fern Duvall, Holly Freifeld, Darcy Hu, Megan Laut, Jay Penniman, Chris Swenson & Lindsay Young.  Newell's Shearwater *Puffinus newelli* Interannual variation of top predators and prey abundance on Georges Banks (northwest Atlantic).  Marie Martin, Richard Veit & Michael Jech.  Cory's Shearwater *Calonectris diomedea* Pink-footed Shearwaters (*Puffinus creatopus*) off Canada's west coast: seasonal distribution patterns and characteristics of marine areas where they have been observed.  Ken Morgan & Alicia Newbury Response of non-breeding Sooty Shearwaters (*Puffinus griseus*) to spatial and temporal variability in winds within the California Current System.  Melinda S. Nakagawa, Josh Adams, Erika McPhee-Shaw & James Harvey. Uncharted waters: the first flights of fledgling Hawaiian albatrosses.  Scott Shaffer, Yann Tremblay, Michelle Kappes, Elizabeth Flint, John Klavitter, Barry Christenson & Daniel Costa.  Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* & Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatrosses When albatrosses ignore scientific literature: problems using plumage class and bursa size to age birds killed in longline fisheries.  Jo Smith, Ken Morgan & Ann Edward.  Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/Black_footed_Albatross2_by_Aleks_Terauds_small.jpg.jpg "Black-footed Albatross. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") The 38th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group will be held in Hawaii, USA in February 2012 ([click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=meeting&t=Annual Meeting&s=1)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pacific-seabird-group-annual-meeting-2010-abstracts-of-papers-on-acap-listed-albatrosses-available-on-line.md) ## New book published on the restoration of seabird islands [Christa Mulder](http://users.iab.uaf.edu/~christa_mulder/cv.htm) ([Institute of Arctic Biology](http://www.iab.uaf.edu/), University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA) and colleagues have edited a newly published book entitled *Seabird Islands: Ecology, Invasion, and Restoration**.*** A description of the book from the publisher follows: "Islands with large colonies of seabirds are found throughout the globe.  Seabird islands provide nesting and roosting sites for birds that forage at sea, deposit marine nutrients on land, and physically alter these islands.  Habitats for numerous endemic and endangered animal and plant species, seabird islands are therefore biodiversity hotspots with high priority for conservation. Successful campaigns to eradicate predators (e.g. rats and cats) from seabird islands have been conducted worldwide.  However, removal of predators will not necessarily lead to natural recovery of seabirds or other native species.  Restoration of island ecosystems requires social acceptance of eradications, knowledge of how island food webs function, and a long-term commitment to measuring and assisting the recovery process. This book, written collaboratively by and for ecologists and resource managers, provides the first large-scale cross-system compilation, comparison, and synthesis of the ecology of seabird island systems.  Offering a new conceptual framework into which to fit the impacts of seabirds on island ecology, this is an essential resource for academics and resource managers alike.  This book features: Proves the first large-scale cross-system comparisons of seabird islands. Global focus: identifies a globally widespread ecosystem, the threats to it and methods that can be applied to resolve these threats. Connects the restoration of islands through predator removal and native species re-establishment with community and ecosystem processes that support those species. Contributors bring first-hand experience of fifteen island systems, and reference over 250 islands and archipelagos that cover a broad range of climatic variables, vegetation types, and human histories." **Reference:** Mulder, C.P.H., Anderson, W.B., Towns, D.R. & Bellingham, P.J. (Eds.) 2011.  *[Seabird Islands: Ecology, Invasion, and Restoration](http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/LifeSciences/Ecology/?view=usa&ci=9780199735693)***.**  New York: Oxford University Press.  492 pp.  ISBN 978-0-19-973569-3. For a more popular account of an island eradication effort see: Stolzenburg, William 2011.  *[Rat Island: Predators in Paradise and the World's Greatest Wildlife Rescue](http://www.bloomsbury.com/Rat-Island/William-Stolzenburg/books/details/9781408825112). *London:Bloomsbury Publishing.  288 pp.  ISBN 9781408825112. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/albatross _valley_scan_gough_by_kalinka_rexer_huber.jpg "Albatross Valley, Gough Island: home to alien mice. Photograph by Kalinka Rexer-Huber")](http://users.iab.uaf.edu/~christa_mulder/cv.htm) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 July 2011, updated 6 Novenber 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-book-published-on-the-restoration-of-seabird-islands.md) ## Eradication of rabbits and rodents will continue on Macquarie Island in 2011 One of the planet's largest pest eradication projects is set to continue on Australia's [World Heritage-listed](http://www.unescoworldheritagesites.com/macquarie-island_tasmania_australia.htm) Macquarie Island ([click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?sys=News Article&intID=2105)). The AUS$24.6 million project, jointly funded by the Australian Federal and Tasmanian Governments, is aimed at eradicating the large numbers of rabbits and rodents destroying the natural environment on the remote island south-east of Tasmania ([click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013)).  The 2010 attempt was aborted due to a long run of bad weather that halted the helicopters from distributing poisoned bait. The Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, and the Tasmanian Environment Minister David O'Byrne today announced the project will continue next year following the recommendations of an expert review. "The review advised that the pests are causing catastrophic damage to the Macquarie Island ecosystem and if this continues some seabird populations are likely to become extinct on the island," Mr Burke said. "I have agreed to the continuation of the baiting program, which is crucial to eradicating rabbits and rodents from Macquarie Island, to protect its unique flora and fauna and irreplaceable World Heritage values. "The review found that some birds died after scavenging the poisoned carcasses of dead rabbits, rodents and other birds. To mitigate this a team will be dedicated to searching for and removing poisoned carcasses following baiting and will also investigate using alternate food sources to divert these birds." Mr O'Byrne said restoring the natural ecosystem will outweigh the short-term impacts. "The continuation of this difficult and complicated project is vital to ensure the spectacular Macquarie Island ecosystem is restored.  This effort demonstrates a commitment to protecting Australia's areas of outstanding heritage values, and also strengthens the capacity of our conservation management agencies to conduct eradication projects in the future. "The Australian and Tasmanian Governments will continue working together to protect the outstanding universal values of Macquarie Island, taking every step to ensure as few birds as possible are harmed." The baiting programme, which is carried out by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, will continue in the winter months of 2011 to reduce the impacts on native species. [Click here](http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s3071109.htm) for comment on the news from the Eradication Programme's Manager, Keith Springer. Regular news of the pest eradication project can be obtained from its newsletter *[Macquarie Dispatch](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13001)*. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black-browed Albatross Preening by Aleks Terauds.jpg "Black-browed Albatrosses on Macquarie Island. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") With thanks to Ian Hay for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 November 2010* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/eradication-of-rabbits-and-rodents-will-continue-on-macquarie-island-in-2011.md) ## Northern Royal Albatross: is it still declining? [BirdLife International](http://www.birdlife.org) manages a [Globally Threatened Forum for Seabirds](http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/category/species-group/threatened-seabirds/) which considers which threatened species should be recategorized. Discussions on the status of the ACAP-listed Northern Royal Albatross *Diomedea sanfordi*and Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes*were undertaken by the Forum in 2011, but both species have had their reassessments pended as there was insufficient information available by this year's deadline.  Discussions remain open for input and these species will now be assessed as part of the next comprehensive re-evaluation of all species, due for release in May 2012. The Northern Royal Albatross *Diomedea sanfordi* is currently listed as [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30005) by IUCN on the basis that the species occupies an Area of Occupancy of less than 10 km², including fewer than five locations (three island groups), in which the population is estimated to be undergoing a very rapid decline. The rate of decline is estimated at 50-79% over 84 years (1985-2069; estimate of three generations), and is caused primarily by the destruction of most vegetation and removal of soil cover on the Chatham Islands (where 99% of the global breeding population breeds) when a cyclonic storm hit them in 1985.  Birds subsequently constructed their nests with stones, or laid eggs on bare rock.  As a result, mean annual productivity plummeted to 8% (1990-1996) on the Forty-Fours, and 18% over all three islands, due to egg breakage, exposure to high temperatures and flooding, although there has since been a partial recovery. By 2007, annual herb-field vegetation cover had recovered to about 70% of that recorded in the 1970s. The soil base is still minimal, but improving.  Although productivity has continued to improve, the mean annual chick production during 1995-2003 was still only 66% of the mean annual productivity in the 1970s.  It is estimated that for the 20-year period 1985-2005 there was a total 50-60% reduction in productivity for the species.  However, it is clear from the annual chick production figures that the annual breeding population is becoming much more balanced than in the 1990s, when as much at 80-90% of the breeding population was attempting to breed annually (rather than the normal 60%). In 2002, a survey at the end of egg-laying recorded 5800 pairs, with a probable 1700 pairs on sabbatical (after breeding in the previous season).  This suggests that in spite of the extensive reduction in productivity over a 20 year period, the number of breeding pairs may have remained relatively stable. The effects of severe weather and projected climate change are regarded as serious potential threats; however the ongoing threats of fisheries bycatch, the direct harvesting of chicks and the effects of introduced species are regarded as minor.  Further information on this species' current and projected population trends over a period of 81 years (revised estimate of three generations), as well as the estimated population size, is requested to help in the assessment of its threat status. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/N/Northern_Royal/Northern_royal_flying-3 by Aleks Terauds.jpg "Northern Royal Albatross. Photograph by Aleks Terauds")](http://www.birdlife.org) **Selected references:** Robertson, C.J.R. 1998.  Factors influencing the breeding performance of the Northern Royal Albatross.  In: Robertson, G. & Gales, R. (Eds).  *Albatross Biology and Conservation*.  Chipping Norton: Surrey Beatty & Sons.  pp. 99-104. Robertson, C.J.R.., Bell, E.A., Sinclair, N. & Bell, B.D. 2003.  *Distribution of Seabirds from New Zealand that Overlap with Fisheries Worldwide*.  [Science for Conservation 233](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/sfc233.pdf).  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  23 pp. Taylor, G.A. 2000.  *Action Plan for Seabird Conservation in New Zealand*.  *Part A: Threatened Seabirds*.  [Threatened Species Occasional Publication 16](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSOP16.pdf).  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  236 pp.  Information taken from the Globally Threatened Forum for Seabirds ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2011/06/northern-royal-albatross-diomedea-sanfordi-is-it-still-declining/)) with thanks. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/northern-royal-albatross-is-it-still-declining.md) ## ACAP's Advisory Committee to consider a proposal by Spain to add the Balearic Shearwater to the Agreement Currently the Albatross and Petrel Agreement lists 29 species of albatrosses and petrels of the genera *Macronectes* (giant petrels) and *Procellaria* on its Annex 1 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species)). Previous meetings of ACAP have discussed whether threatened shearwaters of the genera *Calonectris* and *Puffinus* should be added to the Agreement (see [AC3 Doc 18](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac-3/ac3-meeting-documents) and [AC5 Inf 15](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-information-papers)).  These discussions considered that the Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*(a [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) species endemic to Spain) was a strong candidate for inclusion under the Agreement. The Government of Spain has now advised the Secretariat of its intention to nominate the Balearic Shearwater for listing under Annex 1 of the Agreement.  To assist Parties in their consideration of this request, Spain has produced a Species Assessment for the Balearic Shearwater (see [AC6 Doc 31](https://www.acap.aq/documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents)). The assessment was compiled byCarles Carboneras, a consultant to the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, with inputs to drafts from members of the ACAP Secretariat and from others. In accordance with Article IX, 6a of the Agreement, the Sixth Meeting of the Advisory Committee, to be held next month in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is requested to provide advice to the Meeting of the Parties to ACAP on the scientific and/or technical merits of listing the Balearic Shearwateron Annex 1 of the Agreement. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater3_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwater in the hand. Photograph by Daniel Oroi") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/recent-spanish-research-on-the-critically-endangered-balearic-shearwater-a-potential-candidate-for-acap-listing) to access recent publications on the Balearic Shearwater, including an international [Action Plan](http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/action_plans/docs/puffinus_puffinus_mauretanicus.pdf) compiled by José Manuel Arcos and commissioned by the European Commission. **Reference:** COOPER, J. & BAKER, G.B. 2008.  Identifying candidate species for inclusion within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.  [*Marine Ornithology*36: 1-8](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_1-8.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acaps-advisory-committee-to-consider-a-proposal-by-spain-to-add-the-balearic-shearwater-to-the-agreement.md) ## Policy options for migratory bird flyways: should the Albatross and Petrel Agreement cover more seabird species? The Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) commissioned a report from its Flyways Working Group that examines the major migratory bird flyways of the World ([click here](http://www.cms.int/bodies/ScC/global_flyways_wg/gfwg_mainpage.htm) for background information).  The report (see [AC6 Doc 32](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-meeting-documents)) reviews the coverage of these flyways by existing Agreements under CMS, proposes priorities for the development of such Agreements, and provides options on how these might be developed. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Logos/cms_unep.jpg) One of the policy options identified in the report is that the CMS helps in developing a coherent conservation framework and action plan for marine bird species not presently covered by ACAP or by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds ([AEWA](http://www.unep-aewa.org/)). The Flyways Working Group has suggested that this could perhaps best be achieved by expanding the remit and work of ACAP, in discussion with AEWA, rather than by initiating any new Agreement; and suggested that this option needs to be discussed, initially by ACAP and by AEWA, so that the Parties to these two Agreements can form a clear view on how to proceed. Currently the Albatross and Petrel Agreement lists 29 species of albatrosses and petrels.  However, discussions at its meetings have confirmed that all members of the avian order Procellariiformes (tubenoses) are eligible for listing in terms of the Agreement's text.  To date discussions at its meetings on further expansion of the list of species covered by ACAP have been concentrated on *Calonectris* and *Puffinus* shearwaters of the family Procellariidae.  At the next meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee (the Sixth, to be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador next month) consideration will be given to a proposal by Spain that the Balearic Shearwater *P. mauretanicus*, a Critically Endangered Mediterranean endemic, be included within the Agreement ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/acaps-advisory-committee-to-consider-a-proposal-by-spain-to-add-the-balearic-shearwater-to-the-agreement)). Expansion of ACAP to include migratory seabirds of orders other than the Procellariiformes is likely to have far-reaching implications.  Discussion of such implications are set to commence at ACAP's Advisory Committee meeting next month, which will be asked to review the policy options identified in the CMS flyways report that are of relevance to ACAP and to provide advice to the next Meeting of the Parties to ACAP on the potential implications that the adoption of these policy options may have for the Agreement. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 July 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/policy-options-for-migratory-bird-flyways-should-the-albatross-and-petrel-agreement-cover-more-seabird-species.md) ## Should the Black-footed Albatross be down-listed from its Endangered status? [BirdLife International ](http://www.birdlife.org)manages a [Globally Threatened Forum for Seabirds](http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/category/species-group/threatened-seabirds/) which considers which threatened species should be recategorized. Discussions on the status of ACAP-listed Northern Royal Albatross *Diomedea sanfordi*([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/northern-royal-albatross-is-it-still-declining)) and Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes*were undertaken by the Forum in 2011, but both species have had their reassessments pended as there was insufficient information available by this year's deadline.  Discussions remain open for input and these species will now be assessed as part of the next comprehensive re-evaluation of all species, due for release in May 2012. The Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes*is currently listed as Endangered on the basis that its population is projected to decline by more than 60% over 56 years (estimate of three generations), as modelled using a moderate scenario for fisheries bycatch of 8000 birds a year.  It has been suggested, however, that the demographic parameters for this model, namely survival probability, growth probability and fecundity, were based on data from the 1960s and 1970s, for which it was incorrectly assumed that no bycatch took place.  This implies that the basic parameters for a stable population with no additional mortality were actually estimated from a population already experiencing significant bycatch, and were thus underestimated.  This appears to have led to an overestimation of the declines that would result from annual bycatch scenarios, by counting this source of mortality both within the demographic parameter estimates and within the simulation scenario, effectively doubling the impact of fisheries. Nevertheless, likely bycatch levels are still predicted to cause a decline in the population, albeit not as rapid as previously forecast.  Other studies on this species have confirmed the impact of fisheries bycatch on survival and the annual population growth rate.  Annual bycatch was estimated at 5228 birds in 2005, which, if doubled to account for underestimation, approaches the maximum Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level of 11 980 birds, which is calculated to be the maximum level of off-take possible without causing a decline. The maximum PBR level for this species has also been estimated at 8850 birds per year and 10 000 birds per year.  It still remains necessary, however, to model robustly the future impact of bycatch on this species. There is also uncertainty over the historic population trends of this species.  Monitoring data from three colonies in Hawaii, representing over 75% of the world's population, suggested that numbers may have decreased by 9.6% from 1992 to 2001.  However, linear regression analysis of log-transformed counts at the same colonies suggests that the species' population has remained stable since at least 1957 and has increased overall since 1923.  Confusingly, an earlier variation on the same analysis found a decline between 1992 and 2005, highlighting the importance of considering time scales when analysing this species' population trend. Matrix modelling suggests that its population is currently stable or increasing slightly. The recent analysis brings into question the validity of the species' current Red List status.  It suggests that the rate of projected decline should be lowered, which could result in the species becoming eligible for down-listing.  Comments are requested regarding the various studies on this species and the implications for its historic and future population trends. This discussion was first published in November 2010 as part of the 2010-11 Red List update, but remains open for comment to enable reassessment in 2012. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-footed_albatross_kaena_point_lindsay_young.jpg "Black-footed Albatross at Kaena Point, Oahu. Photograph by Lindsay Young")](http://www.birdlife.org) **Selected references:** Arata, J.A., Sievert, P.R. & Naughton, M.B. 2009.  *[Status Assessment of Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses, North Pacific Ocean, 1923-2000](http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5131/pdf/sir20095131.pdf)*. * *U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5131.  Reston: U.S. Geological Survey. Cousins, K. & Cooper, J. 2000.  *The Population Biology of the Black-footed Albatross in Relation to Mortality caused by Longline Fishing*.  Honolulu: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Gilman, E. & Freifeld, H. 2003.  Seabird mortality in North Pacific longline fisheries.  *Endangered Species Update* 20: 35-46. Lewison, R.L. & Crowder, L.B. 2003.  Estimating fishery bycatch and effects on a vulnerable seabird population.  [*Ecological Applications* 13: 743-753](http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/1051-0761%282003%29013%5B0743%3AEFBAEO%5D2.0.CO%3B2). Naughton, M.B., Romano, M.D. & Zimmerman, T.S. 2007.  [*A Conservation Action Plan for Black-footed Albatross (*Phoebastria nigripes*) and Laysan Albatross (*P. immutabilis*).*  Version 1.0](http://www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/Albatross%20Action%20Plan%20ver.1.0.pdf). Niel, C. & Lebreton, J.-D. 2005.  Using demographic invariants to detect overharvested bird populations from incomplete data.  [*Conservation Biology* 19: 826-835](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00310.x/abstract). Verán, S., Gimenez, O., Flint, E., Kendall, W.L., Doherty Jr, P.F. & Lebreton, J.-D. 2007.  Quantifying the impact of longline fisheries on adult survival in the Back-footed Albatross.  [*Journal of Applied Ecology* 44: 942-953](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01346.x/pdf). Information taken from the Globally Threatened Forum for Seabirds with thanks. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 July 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/should-the-black-footed-albatross-be-down-listed-from-its-endangered-status.md) ## The Albatross and Petrel Agreement supports research projects in South America (and elsewhere) The Sixth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, to be held at the end of August  in Guayaquil,  Ecuador, will consider reports from  projects funded in 2009 and 2010.  See ACAP Information Papers [AC6 Inf 08 & AC6 09](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-information-papers)) for progress reports for 2009 grants and project objectives for those funded in 2010. Lists of the funded projects by title and successful applicant follow.  Selection of projects for funding is undertaken by the Grants Sub-Committee and approved by the Advisory Committee. **2009** Eight projects were supported during the 2009 call for applications.  All projects have made significant headway in meeting the outcomes indicated in the initial applications. **ACAP 2009-01.**  Development of ACAP database-generated Implementation Reports (ACAP Secretariat). **ACAP 2009-02.**  Improving Waved Albatross Conservation: Monitoring Changes in Population Size and Vital Rates (Kathryn Huyvaert, Colorado State University, USA). **ACAP 2009-04.**  Responding to the evolution of Peru's artisanal longline fleet: characterising fleet mechanisation and introducing weighted swivels (Jeff Mangel & Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, Pro-Delphinus, Peru). **ACAP 2009-05.**  Seabird interactions with trawl fishery for Peruvian hake in northern Peru (Liliana Ayala, APECO, Peru). **ACAP 2009-06.**  Fact sheets for best practice techniques to mitigate seabird bycatch in pelagic longline, demersal longline and trawl fisheries (Ben Sullivan, BirdLife International). **ACAP 2009-09**.  Implementation of a Scientific Observer Programme to Evaluate the Interaction of Seabirds with Demersal Fisheries in the South of Chile (Jorge Azocar, Instituto de Fomento Pesquero, Chile). **ACAP 2009-10.**  Regional workshop "Improving data collection on incidental mortality of seabirds from South American Observer Programmes" (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay). **ACAP 2009-11.**  A stepped approach to evaluating the effectiveness of a fast sinking line-weighting regime (Graham Robertson, Australian Antarctic Division, Australia). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_03_Fig2.jpg) **2010** Following are the projects supported by the Advisory Committee in 2010. **ACAP 2010-01.**  At-sea distribution of the WAAL [Waved Albatross] and overlap with fishing fleets of the central Peruvian coast (Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto & Jeffrey C. Mangel, Pro Delphinus, Peru) **ACAP 2010-03**.  Evaluating alternative approaches to predicting at-sea distributions and fisheries overlaps of ACAP species in Ecological Risk Assessments (Richard Phillips, British Antarctic Survey) **ACAP 2010-04**.  Concluding six years of research on seabird bycatch reduction through modified discharge management regimes: Is batch discharge better than ad-hoc discharge from trawl?  (Johanna Pierre, Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, New Zealand) ** ** **ACAP 2010-09.**  Internal Consultation Process for the Consolidation of the National Plan of Acton for the Conservation of Seabirds in Peru (Elisa Goya, Instituto del Mar del Perú; Arturo Gonzáles Araujo, Dirección General de Extracción y Procesamiento Pesquero, Ministerio de la Producción). **ACAP 2010-10.**  Defining high-risk areas in the Argentinean Continental Shelf: to which extent albatrosses and petrels interact with the Argentine high-seas commercial trawl fleet? (Sofía Copello and Juan Pablo Seco Pon. CONICET-UNMDP, Argentina). **ACAP 2010-11.**  Improving data collection on seabird incidental mortality associated with fisheries in South American observer programmes: Part II - year 2011 (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay) **ACAP 2010-13.**  Final on-shore development of ‘hook-pod' to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries (Ben Sullivan, BirdLife International). **ACAP 2010-15.**  Estimates of the Waved albatross mortality in artisanal fisheries during the critical period of incubation (Jorge Samaniego, GSP BirdLife - Aves & Conservación, Ecuador). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-albatross-and-petrel-agreement-supports-research-projects-in-south-america-and-elsewhere.md) ## Endemic Bird Area islands and ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels An Endemic Bird Area ([EBA](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/ebacriteria)**)** is defined by [BirdLife International ](http://www.birdlife.org)as an area which encompasses the overlapping breeding ranges of restricted-range species, such that the complete ranges oftwo or morerestricted-range species are entirely included within the boundary of the EBA. Restricted-range species are defined as land birds that since ornithological recording began after 1800 have had a total global breeding range estimated as less than 50 000 km2. Following the above criteria, BirdLife International has identified the following island EBAs which support significant populations of ACAP-listed species: [Antipodes Islands](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=432) [Auckland Islands](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=208) [Chatham Islands](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=209) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/pyramid_chathams_by_david_thompson.jpg "The Pyramid, Chatham Islands, part of an Endemic Bird Area, and home of the Chatham Albatross. Photograph by David Thompson") [Clarion Island](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=307) [Crozet and Kerguelen Islands](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=347) [Galapagos Islands (Isla Española)](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=43) [Laysan Island](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=210) [South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=336) [Snares Islands](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=431) [Tristan da Cunha Group](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebafactsheet.php?id=86) **Selected References:** Ryan, P.G. 2008.  Important Bird Areas: Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island.  *British Birds* 101: 586-606. [Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Long, A.J. & Wege, D.C. 1998.  *Endemic Bird Areas of the World.  Priorities for biodiversity conservation*.  BirdLife Conservation Series 7.  Cambridge: BirdLife International.](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/pubEBAs) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 August 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/endemic-bird-area-islands-and-acap-listed-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## France's Critically Endangered Amsterdam Albatross to get an Action Plan France, a Party to ACAP, has produced an action plan for the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3953) Amsterdam Albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis*, endemic to the island of Amsterdam in the southern Indian Ocean. The action plan is to be discussed and endorsement sought for it at the Sixth Meeting of ACAP'S Advisory Committee, to be held later this month in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Edited extracts from the action plan follow: Between 1984 and 2007, the total Amsterdam Albatross population has increased with a mean rate up to 5%, with slight decrease during the last years.  The total number of individuals is estimated between 160 and 170 individuals, among which 80-90 mature individuals. A long-term strategy for this long-lived species should aim at improving the conservation status of the Amsterdam Albatross with its distribution area (Indian Ocean).  In order to carry out this strategy, actions are planned within the framework of the following themes: Maintain long-term monitoring of the species, notably through the survey of breeders on Amsterdam and individual surveys, so as to get reliable indicators of the population trend. Acquire and complete knowledge on the species' ecology, and more specifically on its diet, using methods that do not imply energy loss for the chicks. Fulfil the at-sea distribution survey of individuals in order to complete knowledge on demographic classes of the population and obtain multi-year datasets of this distribution. Delineate in the total species distribution area sites of specific attractiveness for the birds, and hence evaluate the relevance of the Important Bird Area approach of BirdLife International to this Critically Endangered species. The main goal of the action plan is to improve both the conservation state and status of the Amsterdam Albatross in order to maintain its population in the long-term.  In this way, the plan aims at maintaining both the current increasing rate of the total population (5%) and the adult survival rate above 0.95 (below these thresholds, the population would decrease). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Amsterdam/Amsterdam_Albatross_by_Scott_Shaffer.jpg "Amsterdam Albatross. Photograph by Scott Shaffer") **Reference:** France 2011.  *National Plan of Actions for the Conservation of the Amsterdam Albatross* Diomedea amsterdamensis*in France*.   Sixth Meeting of Advisory Committee, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 29 August - 2 September 2011.  [AC6 Inf 6](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-information-papers).  26 pp. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for the Amsterdam Albatross. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/frances-critically-endangered-amsterdam-albatross-to-get-an-action-plan.md) ## At-sea movements of Buller's Albatrosses from The Snares, New Zealand get studied over a complete annual cycle for the first time Paul Sagar, Leigh Torres and David Thompson of the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research ([NIWA](http://www.niwa.co.nz/)) have studied the demography and distribution of the [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30006) Buller's Albatross *Thalassarche bulleri*at New Zealand's [Snares Islands](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snares_Islands_/_Tini_Heke). Information in their 2010 field season report is given onbreeding population size and productivity, adult survival and survival and recruitment of known-age birds, and foraging and at-sea movements using 60 geolocation loggers deployed in 2008 and 2009.  The main aims of the project were to build upon the comprehensive demographic database for Buller's Albatrosses and to determine at-sea distribution of over periods for which data are currently lacking, so that information would become available for the whole annual cycle for the first time. Initial analysis of the geolocator data shows that during November all birds were distributed off the coasts of Chile and Peru; during December, January and February there was movement west across the Pacific as breeding birds returned to Australasian waters for the start of the breeding season.  In April, during the guard-stage of the chick, most breeding birds confined their foraging within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone, primarily over the Snares Shelf and farther south.  In May, after the guard-stage, foraging extended primarily off the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.  There was some movement of birds east across the Pacific, presumably following the death of their chick.  During July, breeding birds continued to forage off the east coast and there was also an increase in foraging off the west coast of  South Island.  Failed breeders foraged primarily off the coast of Chile.  By August there was a contraction of the foraging range along the east coast of South Island and the movement of presumed successful breeders east across the Pacific. The last birds migrated across the Pacific to South American waters during October. **Reference:** Sagar, P., Torres, L. & Thompson, D.  2010.  *[Demography and Distribution of Buller's Albatrosses Thalassarche bulleri bulleri: Final Research Report of the 2010 Field Season](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-conservation-services/bullers-albatross-2010-field-report.pdf)*.  Christchurch: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research.  10 pp. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Bullers/bullers_alblaross_chris_golding.jpg "Buller's Albatross. Photograph by Chris Golding") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/at-sea-movements-of-bullers-albatrosses-from-the-snares-new-zealand-get-studied-over-a-complete-annual-cycle-for-the-first-time.md) ## The Conservation Leadership Programme continues to fund Pro Delphinus in Peru to help save seabirds The Peruvian NGO [Pro Delphinus](http://www.prodelphinus.org) has been awarded a further grant this year by the [Conservation Leadership Programme](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/Default.asp) for a project entitled **[Building the Capacity of Local Institutions to Lead Seabird Conservation Initiatives in Peru](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/ViewProject.asp?ProjectID=L0242211)**. "Piura State's artisanal fishing fleet is the largest in Peru, which overlaps and interacts with endangered and threatened seabirds.  However, little research or conservation efforts have addressed these issues.  Increased international awareness of seabird threats in Peru, as well as the transfer of many powers from federal to state governments, has led to an urgency and unique opportunity to address these problems.  Through a partnership with local institutions (NGOs & State) we will establish a seabird conservation programme and will train staff in education, conservation and research.  The resulting independent programme will be able to respond quickly and effectively to seabird conservation issues in Piura. " See also a recent [report](http://blog.conservation.org/2011/07/clp-award-winners-seabird-conservation-in-peru/) on the project. [Click here](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/ViewProject.asp?ProjectID=000307F) to read of an earlier funded project **Advancing Seabird Conservation in Peru's Artisanal Fishery through Education and Research**by the Conservation Leadership Programme with Pro Delphinus and to access its final report.  This project monitored 242 artisanal fishing trips from nine ports with onboard observers from May 2005 to May 2008.  A related [project](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/ViewProject.asp?ProjectID=001505) was also funded in 2005. **References:** Pro Delphinus 2006.  [*Assessment of Seabird Bycatch in Peruvian Artisanal Fisheries*.  ](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/UserDataWEB/ProjectData/001505/2005_Peru_Assessment_of_Seabird_Bycatch_Peru.pdf)*[Final Report to the British Petroleum Conservation Programme](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/UserDataWEB/ProjectData/001505/2005_Peru_Assessment_of_Seabird_Bycatch_Peru.pdf). *Lima: Pro Delphinus.  32 pp. Pro Delphinus 2008.  *[Advancing Seabird Conservation in Peru's Artisanal Fishery through Education and Research. ](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/UserDataWEB/ProjectData/000307F/Peru%20Seabird%20Conservation%20Pro%20Delphinus%20final%20report%20to%20CLP%202007-2008.pdf)**[Final Report to the Conservation Leadership Programme](http://www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org/UserDataWEB/ProjectData/000307F/Peru%20Seabird%20Conservation%20Pro%20Delphinus%20final%20report%20to%20CLP%202007-2008.pdf). *Lima: Pro Delphinus.  35 pp. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_Albatross_flying_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "Waved Albatross. Photograph by Barry Baker") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-conservation-leadership-programme-continues-to-fund-pro-delphinus-in-peru-to-help-save-seabirds.md) ## BirdLife International's Global Seabird Programme publishes latest issue of Sea Change The [Global Seabird Programme](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/index.html) of [BirdLife International](http://www.birdlife.org/ ) has released the latest edition ([No. 7](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/marine/international/publications.aspx) of August 2011) of its newsletter, *Sea Change*.  Earlier issues are also available on line. Articles in the illustrated newsletter report on the Second Albatross Task Force (ATF) Instructor's workshop held in Uruguay; give an update on hook pod trials; information on the long-awaited European Plan of Action for reducing incidental bycatch of seabirds; news on Marine Important Bird Areas; reports on co-ordination of tracking data and activities of the Albatross Task Force in Ecuador; and more besides. For a recent entry on the [Albatross Task Force](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/about.aspx) Blog quoting [Pablo Neruda](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda)'s poem *Migración* go to [http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/08/01/our-seabirds-a-unique-source-of-inspiration.aspx](http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/albatross/archive/2011/08/01/our-seabirds-a-unique-source-of-inspiration.aspx). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/patagonian_trawler_ juan_pablo_seco_ pon.jpg "Patagonian fishing trawler surrounded by birds. Photograph by Juan Pablo Seco Pon") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/birdlife-internationals-global-seabird-programme-publishes-latest-issue-of-sea-change.md) ## White-capped Albatross aerial survey suggests numbers may be declining The [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=31008) White-capped Albatross *Thalassarche steadi* is endemic to New Zealand, breeding on Disappointment, Adams and Auckland Islands in the Auckland Island group and Bollons Island (50-100 pairs) in the Antipodes Island Group.  Population estimates suggest 95% of the global population breeds on Disappointment Island, an area where access is restricted to maintain environmental values at the site.  Virtually all aspects of the biology and ecology of White-capped Albatrosses are poorly known and although approximate population sizes have developed there have been no well-documented population estimates for any of the colonies. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Disappointment_Island_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "Disappointment Island. Photograph by Barry Baker") Between 2006-2010 [Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants](http://www.latitude42.com.au/) has undertaken a five-year project which aimed to conduct repeated population censuses of the White-capped Albatrosses breeding in the Auckland Islands using aerial photography.  These population censuses were carried out to estimate population size and to follow population trends. In 2010 the total population of White-capped Albatrosses was estimated to be 72 635 (95% CI 72 096 - 73 174), 4370 (4238 - 4502) and 117 (95 - 139) annual breeding pairs at Disappointment Island, South West Cape and Adams Island, respectively, giving a total for these sites of 76 913 (76 358 - 77 468) breeding pairs.  The counts of nesting White-capped Albatrosses over the last four years have been significantly lower than the counts made in 2006, when a total of 117 197 annual breeding pairs was present at the Auckland Islands.  These differences in counts may represent normal inter-annual variation in breeding rather than indicating a decline in numbers.  However, in a global review of fisheries-related mortality of Shy *T. cauta* and White-capped Albatrosses it was estimated that 8000 White-capped Albatrosses were killed each year as a result of interactions with trawl and longline fisheries in the Southern Ocean.  This level of mortality highlights the need to continue to acquire accurate population estimates and trends for White-capped Albatross populations to assess the impact of fisheries operations on this species. Although annual counts over the last five years indicate the population may be in decline, further counts are recommended to clarify if this apparent trend is real, and if current levels of fishing mortality are sustainable. [Click here](http://www.latitude42.com.au/Reports/White_capped_Albatross_Report_July_2010.pdf) to read the report of the 2009 survey of White-capped Albatrosses by Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants. With thanks to Barry Baker, Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants for information. **Reference:** Baker, G.B., Double, M.C., Gales, R., Tuck, G.N., Abbott, C.L., Ryan, P.G., Petersen, S.L., Robertson, C.J.R. & Alderman, R. 2007.  A global assessment of the impact of fisheries-related mortality on Shy and White-capped Albatrosses: conservation implications.  [*Biological Conservation* 137: 319-333](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000632070700081X). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/White_capped/white_capped_alb_male_bird_island_by_richard_phillips11.jpg "White-capped Albatross. Photograph by Richard Phillips") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/white-capped-albatross-aerial-survey-suggests-numbers-may-be-declining.md) ## Buller's Shearwater, a little-known and threatened New Zealand endemic, gets to be tracked at sea Currently, the Albatross and Petrel Agreement lists 22 species of albatrosses (family Diomedeidae) and seven petrels of the genera *Macronectes* and *Procellaria*. In addition, nine species of shearwaters of the genera *Calonectris* and *Puffinus* have been considered as "potential candidate" species for listing within the Agreement ([AC5 Inf 15](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-information-papers)).  Two of these nine are considered threatened by IUCN/BirdLife International: the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) Balearic *P. mauretanicus* and the [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3931) Pink-footed *P. creatopus* Shearwaters. In total 22 species of shearwaters are recognized, of which seven have been categorized as threatened ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciessearchresults.php?reg=&cty=&cri=&fam=18&gen=0&spc=&cmn=&hab=&thr=&bt=&rec=N&vag=N&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&SearchTerms=) for a list).  One of these is the [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3929) Buller's Shearwater *P. bulleri*.  This little-known species breeds only on the [Poor Knights Islands](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Knights_Islands) off east coast of the Northland Region of the North Island of  New Zealand where a current collaboration between New Zealand's Department of Conservation ([DOC](http://www.doc.govt.nz/)) and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd ([NIWA](http://www.niwa.co.nz/)) is seeking to understand the at-sea biology of the species. In March 2011 Graeme Taylor of the Department of Conservation's [Research and Development Group](http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/structure/leadership-roles/research-and-development-group/)and two volunteers visited Aorangi Island in the Poor Knights Island Group to catch adult Buller's Shearwaters and attach light-based geolocators supplied by the [British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/) to study their local movements during breeding and migration pathways beyond New Zealand, including as a trans-equatorial migrant to the northern Pacific Ocean. Between 100 and 150 burrows were checked for the presence of chicks.  Only 16 chicks were located, suggesting breeding success was very poor in the 2010/11 season.  By the end of the field trip 26 Buller's Shearwaters had been caught and geolocators added to either metal or colour leg bands.  Thirteen birds were feeding chicks and 13 were failed breeders reoccupying empty burrows at night.   Following recovery of the loggers in the coming breeding season, data  will be analysed by NIWA and DOC, allowing the at-sea movements of the species to be better defined. An initial estimate of burrow density on Aorangi in March 2011 suggests the island holds about 40 000 Buller's Shearwater burrows. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/bullers_shearwater_1_graeme_taylor.jpg "Buller's Shearwater in the hand") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/bullers_shearwater_geolocator__graeme_taylor.jpg "Buller's Shearwater with a geolocator. Photographs by Graeme Taylor ") **Selected references:** Taylor, G.A. 2000.  *Action Plan for Seabird Conservation in New Zealand*. *Part A: Threatened Seabirds*.  [Threatened Species Occasional Publication  No. 16](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSOP16.pdf).  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  236 pp. Uhlmann, S.S. & Jonathan M. Jeschke, J.M. 2011.  Comparing factors associated with total and dead sooty shearwater bycatch in New Zealand trawl fisheries.  [*Biological Conservation* 144: 1859-1865](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711001224). With thanks to Matt Rayner, ACAP Australasian News Correspondent and Graeme Taylor, New Zealand Department of Conservation for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/bullers-shearwater-a-little-known-and-threatened-new-zealand-endemic-gets-tracked-at-sea.md) ## 41 000 pairs of Salvin's Albatrosses bred on the Bounty Islands in 2010 Salvin's Albatross *Thalassarche salvini* is a [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3962) species endemic to New Zealand, breeding only on the Bounty Islands and the Western Chain of The Snares, although two occupied nests were reported from The Pyramid in the Chatham Islands in 1995.  The population status of this species is poorly known, but was estimated to be approximately 32 000 pairs in 1998, with 96% of the population concentrated on the [Bounty Islands](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounty_Islands). In October 2010 [Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants](http://www.latitude42.com.au/) undertook a photographic aerial survey of the Bounty Islands on behalf of the New Zealand [Ministry of Fisheries](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/default.htm).  From photographs taken a count of Salvin's Albatrosses realized 41 101 (95% CI 40 696 - 41 506) annually breeding pairs, representing the first complete population survey of the species in the island group. Previous attempts to estimate the size of the Salvin's Albatross population at the Bounty Islands have relied on using density estimates from one island and extrapolating to all known occupied islands in the island group.  Because past methods used differ from those used in the 2010 aerial survey, it is not considered appropriate to draw conclusions about population changes.  Instead, it is recommended that analysis of population trends be based on future aerial surveys of all breeding sites in the Bounty Islands, using the 2010 aerial survey as a baseline. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for Salvin's Albatross. With thanks to Barry Baker, Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Salvins/salvins_albatross_gonzalo_island_by_javier_arata.jpg "Salvin's Albatross. Photograph by Javier Arata") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/41-000-pairs-of-salvins-albatrosses-bred-on-the-bounty-islands-in-2010.md) ## Poetry in the service of albatrosses and petrels Albatrosses have appeared in many poems, probably most famously in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's *[Rime of the Ancient Mariner](http://www.online-literature.com/coleridge/646/)*, written in 1798.  Lance Tickell in his book *Albatrosses* devotes 12 pages to the subject (Chapter 18: The Mariner Syndrome), quoting extensively from a number of poems, including Coleridge's rime. Less often written about in verse it seems are petrels and shearwaters of the family Procellariidae (although it has been suggested that Coleridge's albatross was really a giant petrel).  More certainly, South African [Roy Campbell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Campbell_(poet)) (1901-1957) in his poem*One Transport Lost* wrote of White-chinned Petrels (Cape Hens) *Procellaria aequinoctialis*: ''For them the wave, the melancholy/Chant of the wind that tells no lies/The breakers roll their funeral volley/To which, the thundering cliff replies. The Black Cape-Hens in decent crêpe/Will mourn them to the last event/The roaring headlands of the Cape/Are lions on their monument." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white-chinned petrel_by_Ben Palan.jpg) "Black Cape-Hens in decent crêpe".  Photograph by Ben Phalan Two recently published light-verse poems are quoted in full below.  The ACAP-listed species they refer to are the Atlantic Yellow-nosed *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* and the Tristan *Diomedea dabbenena* Albatrosses on Gough Island in the South Atlantic, and the Wandering Albatross *D. exulans* on Marion Island in the southern Indian Ocean. **A Gonydale Companion** The path goes up with little trace/Half hidden by bracken's green embrace/Bog ferns help us as we pass/Battling through the sedge and grass Skirting skua and molly chicks as we rise/Our climb is watched by avian eyes/Below us petrels have dug their breeding holes/Traps for unwary boots and hiking poles There is little talking on the way/Brow sweat our silent language of the day/We stop to drink, but then prevail/For gonies await us in their dale! At Hummocks the path opens to the view/We smile - and greet ourselves anew. *JCII, Gough Island, January/February 2008* **Swartkop "Short-drop"** At Swartkop lives an albatross/Who's calm and peaceful, seldom cross./Far from the madding crowd is she/But not averse to company And when a human comes to rest/Atop the nearby strange white nest,/She dips her head and turns her gaze/And wonders at its horrid ways For not even a chick, newly fed,/Would make a mess inside its bed... *MdV, Marion Island* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_swartkop_toilet_marienne_de_villiers.jpg) "the nearby strange white nest".  Photograph by Marienne de Villiers Any more poems about ACAP-listed species out there? With thanks to Marienne de Villiers. **References:** Bourne, W.R.P. 1980/81.  The Ancient Mariner's albatross.  *Sea Swallow* 31: 56-57. Brown, R.G.B. 1981.  Was Coleridge's ‘Albatross' a Giant Petrel?  *Ibis* 123: 551. Cooper, J. 2009.  A Gonydale companion.  *Tristan da Cunha Newsletter*44: 24. De Villiers, M.S., Chown, S.L. & Cooper, J. 2011.  *Prince Edward Islands Conservation Handbook*.  Stellenbosch: SUN PRESS.  80 pp. Tickell, W.L.N. 2000.  *[Albatrosses](http://yalepress.yale.edu/book.asp?isbn=9780300087413)*.  Mountfield: Pica Press.  448 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information 0fficer, 10 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/poetry-in-the-service-of-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## New Zealand to have a coastal plan for its sub-Antarctic islands, home to endemic albatrosses and petrels New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands, home to large populations of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, several of which are endemic species, are set to get improved protection when a regional coastal plan produced by the [Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) is adopted ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/ http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/current/proposed-regional-coastal-plan-kermadec-and-subantarctic-islands/)). The purpose of the proposed regional coastal plan is to promote the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the coastal marine areas of the Kermadec and New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands (Snares Islands/Tini Heke, the Bounty Islands, the Antipodes Islands, the Auckland Islands, Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku and the islands adjacent to Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku). The two key threats to these island groups are from biosecurity breaches and oil spills.  However, the offshore islands are so remote and in such rough seas that a response to either type of event will be very challenging.  Given the significant natural values, a precautionary approach focusing on prevention, is considered critical.  The plan is currently under final review after a period of comment with submissions received from a wide range of bodies ([click here](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/getting-involved/consultations/current-consultations/offshore-islands/kermadec-subantarctic-islands-summary.pdf) for the summary document).  A public hearing was held in June. [Click here](http://www.sub-antarctic.org/docs/subant-res-strat-05.pdf) to access the 2005 New Zealand Subantarctic Islands Research Strategy.  The 1998-2008 Conservation Management strategy for New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands has been extended to 2012. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/breaking-news-bulk-carrier-ms-oliva-has-run-aground-on-tristans-nightingale-island) to read what can happen when an oil spill occurs on an oceanic seabird island. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Campbell/Campbell Albatross flying by Aleks Terauds.jpg "Campbell Albatross: a New Zealand endemic. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **Selected references:** Department of Conservation 1998.  *Conservation Management Strategy Subantarctic Islands 1998-2008*.  Southland Conservancy Conservation Management Planning Series No. 10.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  113 pp. West, C.J. 2003.  *[New Zealand Subantarctic Islands Research Strategy](http://www.sub-antarctic.org/docs/subant-res-strat-05.pdf)*.  Invercargill: Department of Conservation. 38 pp. Department of Conservation 2006.  [*Marine Protection for the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands: a Background Resource Document & CD ROM*.](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/marine-protection-nz-subantarctic-islands.pdf)  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  48 pp. Department of Conservation 2011.  *[Proposed Regional Coastal Plan.  Kermadec and Subantarctic Islands](http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/getting-involved/consultations/current-consultations/offshore-islands/prcp-kermadec-subantarctic-islands.pdf)*.  Wellington: Department of Conservation.  85 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-zealand-to-have-a-coastal-plan-for-its-sub-antarctic-islands-home-to-endemic-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## ACAP's Seabird Bycatch Working Group set to have a busy meeting in Ecuador this month The [ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/working-groups/seabird-bycatch-working-group) will meet over 22-24 August 2011 at the Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, Ecuador, shortly before the Sixth Meeting of the Agreement's Advisory Committee takes place at the same venue.  The three-day meeting will be held under the co-convenorship of Barry Baker (ACAP Secretariat) and Anton Wolfaardt (United Kingdom). The meeting, the fourth of the working group, will consider over 50 documents, now available for consultation [on-line](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/working-groups/seabird-bycatch-working-group/seabird-bycatch-meeting-4/sbwg4-meeting-documents). Discussions will take place on the following agenda items: Pelagic Longline Bycatch Mitigation, Trawl Bycatch Mitigation, Demersal Longline Bycatch Mitigation, Gillnet Bycatch Mitigation, Artisanal Fisheries, Review of Bycatch Data provided by Parties, Bycatch Data Collection, Conservation Priorities, Development of Indicators, Coordination of activities relating to RFMOs, FAO IPOA/NPOA-Seabirds, Mitigation Fact Sheets, Risk Assessment, Review of Progress reports for ACAP funded Programmes, SBWG Work Programme, Work Programme 2010 - 2012, and Work Programme 2013 -2015. The Working Group's report will then be considered by the Advisory Committee's meeting the following week. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_08_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acaps-seabird-bycatch-working-group-set-to-have-a-busy-meeting-in-ecuador-this-month.md) ## Getting together: ACAP's Status and Trends and Breeding Sites Working Groups to meet jointly this month in Ecuador The Sixth Meeting of the ACAP's [Status and Trends Working Group](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/working-groups/status-and-trends-working-group) (STWG 6) will be held [jointly](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/working-groups/joint-stwg-6-bswg-4-meeting-2011) with the Fourth Meeting of the [Breeding Sites Working Group](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/working-groups/breeding-sites-working-group) (BSWG 4) from 25-26 August in the Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, Ecuador, shortly before the Sixth Meeting of the Agreement's Advisory Committee takes place at the same venue.  The joint meeting will be co-convened by Rosemary Gales (Australia) and Richard Phillips (United Kingdom). Documents to be considered at the two-day joint meeting are now available for consultation [on-line](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/working-groups/joint-stwg-6-bswg-4-meeting-2011/stwg-6-/-bswg-4-meeting-documents). Matters to be discussed include the proposed nomination of the Balearic Shearwater*Puffinus mauretanicus* to the Agreement by Spain ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/acaps-advisory-committee-to-consider-a-proposal-by-spain-to-add-the-balearic-shearwater-to-the-agreement)), identification of internationally important breeding sites, biosecurity and eradication guidelines, census methodologies for surface-nesting albatrosses and petrels, the Red Data status of ACAP-listed species, threats arising from pathogens, parasites and disease, and the possible merger of the two working groups. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwater: a new ACAP species? Photograph by Daniel Oro") The Working Groups' reports will then be considered by ACAP's Advisory Committee meeting the following week. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/getting-together-acaps-status-and-trends-and-breeding-sites-working-groups-to-meet-jointly-this-month-in-ecuador.md) ## Win a camera! Join a seabird group! Seabird conservation news from South Africa BirdLife South Africa's [Seabird Division](http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/seabirds)  is once again making a call for photographs for its annual SOS Festival Photographic Competition.  The theme for this year is "Oceans of Life" and images of any aspect of marine biodiversity are welcome, including seabirds, cetaceans, fish and coastal species, not just in South Africa, but worldwide. Photographs must be sent electronically to [photocompetition@birdlife.org.za](mailto:photocompetition@birdlife.org.za)  by 19 September 2011.  The images of the finalists will be enlarged, framed and placed on show at the Iziko South Africa Museum for the duration of the [Save our Seabirds Festival 2011](http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/seabirds/sos), to be held over 10-16 October in Cape Town.  The overall winner will be announced on Friday 14 October at the final talk and presentation at the Iziko South African Museum.  The event is free, but booking is essential. First prize in the photographic competition is aCanon EOS 5D Mark II camera and 100-400-mm L IS USM lens.  [Click here](http://www.birdlife.org.za/images/stories/conservation/Seabirds/Photo_comp_rules.pdf) to access the competition rules. One of the three evening speakers at the SOS Festival in 2011 will be Professor John Croxall CBE FRS, Chair of BirdLife International's [Global Seabird Programme](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/seabirds/index.html) and formerly of the [British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/).  He will speak on the greatest island restoration programme ever undertaken. Another South African initiative currently underway is the resuscitation of the African Seabird Group ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org.za/images/stories/conservation/Seabirds/African_Seabird_Group.pdf)). Revival of the African Seabird Group will allow South Africa to contribute more fully to the World Seabird Union ([WSU](http://www.seabirds.net/wsu.php)) whose mission is to place seabird research, management and conservation into a worldwide perspective.  Its vision is to aid in creating global partnerships that will continue into the future by sharing research, knowledge, and ideas on a global level. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Posters_Books/Tristan_Albatross_Poster_by John_Cooper.jpg "ACAP's Tristan Albatross poster ") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/win-a-camera-join-a-seabird-group-seabird-conservation-news-from-south-africa.md) ## Getting the lead out of the Laysan Albatross. Paint removal at Midway to start this year Studies have shown that Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* chicks on USA's [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/) in the North Pacific exhibit symptoms of lead poisoning most likely related to ingestion of lead-based paint chips and contaminated soil.  The primary sources of the paint chips that contaminate the soil where the albatrosses nest are buildings and other structures on the atoll, some of which date back to the early 1900s (see [http://www.fws.gov/midway/lpa.html](http://www.fws.gov/midway/lpa.html)). The first phase of a US$21 million effort to remove lead-based paint from the atoll is set to commence this year.  The clean-up will consist of abatement of lead-based paint from the exterior of 95 buildings (26 of which have already been done), consultation regarding the demolition of certain structures, excavation of soils around the buildings that contain high levels of lead contamination, and disposal of contaminated soil into an on-site containment unit.  The excavated areas will be back-filled with clean material and the site will be restored.  A work crew of 10-15 people is anticipated.  Removal activities will primarily be implemented between July and October when few birds are present on Midway ([click here](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/stories/110805.html)). The entire project is expected to take five to six years, with reviews of the effectiveness of the project scheduled for every five years thereafter for an undetermined period of time.  The clean-up plan prioritizes sites with the highest potential to affect wildlife to be addressed first. Deaths from lead poisoning in the 2010/11 breeding season were compounded by two severe winter storms and the March tsunami ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds)), which killed more than 110 000 Laysan and Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatross chicks: about 22% of the season's production.  At least 2000 adult albatrosses were also killed. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/lead-poisoning-threatens-the-laysan-albatrosses-of-midway) for an earlier ACAP news story on lead poisoning of albatrosses at Midway. The area encompassing Midway and its waters was included in the designation of the [Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2006.](http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatrosses_midway_lindsay_young.jpg "Laysan Albatrosses breeding on Midway. Photograph by Lindsay Young") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/getting-the-lead-out-of-the-laysan-albatross-paint-removal-at-midway-to-start-this-year.md) ## Albatrosses and shearwaters will feature at the Seabird Group's 11th International Conference in Plymouth next month The [Seabird Group](http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/) will hold its [11th International Conference](http://www.seabirdgroup2011.org/) next month from 2-4 September at the University of Plymouth in Plymouth, United Kingdom.  The programme for the conference is now available [on-line](http://www.seabirdgroup2011.org/Programme.pdf). Several oral and poster papers will be presented on albatrosses and on "ACAP-candidate" shearwaters as listed by title and authors below: **Oral papers:** Thierry Boulinier:  Extraordinary long persistence of maternal antibodies in a long lived seabird: implications from albatross conservation to comparative immunology. Richard Phillips:  Dispersal patterns of fledglings and implications for the development of individual migration strategies in Wandering Albatrosses.  [*Diomedea exulans*] Russell Wynn:  Intensive monitoring provides new insights into key flyways and foraging areas of the Balearic Shearwater in UK and French waters.  [*Puffinus mauretanicus*] **Posters:** Cowen, H.C., Oppel, S.O., Hervias, S.H., Oliveira, N.O., Geraldes, P.G., van Heezik, Y.H. & Brooke, M.B.:  How to measure cat activity in shearwater colonies to explain variation in Cory's Shearwater nest survival?  [*Calonectris diomedea*] Guilford, T.C., Wynn, R., McMinn, M., Rodriguez, .A, Jones, A.R., Maurice, L.D. & Suberg, L.:  Migratory movements of the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater revealed by geolocator tracking. [*Puffinus mauretanicus*] Oppel. S., Raine, A.F., Borg, J.J., Raine, H., Bonnaud, .E, Bourgeois, K. & Breton, A.R.:  Low adult survival probabilities threaten the Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan.* Reyes, J.M., Phillips, R.A. & Gonzalez-Solís. J.:  Activity patterns of pelagic seabirds during the nonbreeding period. The plenary lecture will be given by [Bob Furness](http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/ibls/staff/staff.php?who=PeQndP) of the University of Glasgow in Scotland entitled "Seabird responses to environmental change: insights from 30 years of PhD supervision." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater. Photograph by John Graham") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatrosses-and-shearwaters-will-feature-at-the-seabird-groups-11th-international-conference-in-plymouth-next-month.md) ## Will any albatrosses attend? International Polar Year Conference to be held in Montreal, Canada in April 2012 The [International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 Conference](http://ipy-osc.no/article/2011/1305272014.99) will be held in Montreal, Canada from 22-27 April 2012.  The overall purpose is to move "From Knowledge to Action on Polar Issues". The International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 Conference will feature the latest polar research results from global leaders in Arctic and Antarctic science.  The conference is endorsed by the World Meteorological Organization ([WMO](http://www.wmo.int/pages/index_en.html)) and the International Council for Science ([ICSU](http://www.icsu.org/)) as the third and final conference to close [IPY 2007 - 2008](http://ipy.arcticportal.org/). The conference aims to bring together Arctic and Antarctic researchers, policy- and decision-makers and a broad range of interested parties from academia, industry, non-government, education, Arctic communities and circumpolar indigenous peoples.  Together these groups will address challenges, share and apply knowledge from polar regions and discuss opportunities and solutions for adapting to global change. Occurring at a pivotal time for the environment of our planet, the IPY 2012 Conference will contribute to the translation of new polar scientific findings into an evidence-based agenda for action that will influence global decisions, policies and outcomes over the coming years.  What is happening at the Poles will alter the polar environments and change the course of human and economic development. The call for abstracts is now open and closes on 30 September. To learn more go to the conference web site at [http://ipy-osc.no/](http://ipy-osc.no/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/will-any-albatrosses-attend-international-polar-year-conference-to-be-held-in-montreal-canada-in-april-2012.md) ## Artists for Albatrosses Exhibition to raise money for the Save the Albatross Campaign An art exhibition entitled [Artists for Albatrosses: 5 weeks on South Georgia](http://www.galleryofbirds.co.uk/)* will be held at the Air Gallery in London, UK in October this year. Work in the exhibition will be based on a field trip to the island by two internationally acclaimed wildlife artists, John Gale and Chris Rose. The artists sailed 1500 km in a 20-m yacht, experiencing 10-m waves and winds in excess of 80 knots, to sketch and paint albatrosses and other wildlife for the exhibition which will raise funds and awareness for BirdLife International's [Save the Albatross Campaign](http://www.birdlife.org/seabirds/save-the-albatross.html). The exhibition is being sponsored by the adventure travel company [Hurtigruten](http://hurtigruten.co.uk/Antarctica/), which will enable the artists to donate 25% of all sales to the campaign.  Both artists are also donating a significant piece of work to be auctioned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)) for albatross conservation as well as a number of limited edition print runs, to be sold exclusively through the RSPB with all proceeds going to the Save the Albatross Campaign. Artists for Albatrosses will be held at the Air Gallery, 32 Dover Street, London, UK during 3-15 October 2011 from 10h00 to 18h00. Some of the artists' work can viewed at [http://www.chrisrose-artist.co.uk](http://www.chrisrose-artist.co.uk/) and [http://www.galleryofbirds.co.uk/](http://www.galleryofbirds.co.uk/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatrosses_marion_island_by_john_cooper.jpg "Male Wandering Albatross and chick, breeding next to the 1948 grave of Joseph Daniels on Marion Island. Photograph by John Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 August 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/artists-for-albatrosses-exhibition-to-raise-money-for-the-save-the-albatross-campaign.md) ## Albatross researcher awarded the prestigious Martha T. Muse Prize for 2011 [Dr José Xavier](https://www.acap.aq/ http://www.blogger.com/profile/01926258246490880187 ) has been awarded the [Martha T. Muse Prize](http://www.museprize.org/) for 2011.  Dr Xavier has conducted field research with the British Antarctic Survey ([BAS](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/)) over many seasons on South Atlantic islands.  The prize, established in the [International Polar Year 2007-2008](http://ipy.arcticportal.org/), is for US$100 000 and is presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy who has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. Dr Xavier is a marine ecologist at BAS and at the [Institute of Marine Research](http://www.imar.pt) of the University of Coimbra, Portugal.  Amongst much other work he has conducted outstanding research on the predator-prey dynamics that sustain populations of albatrosses, penguins, and other top predators in the Southern Ocean, and he recently published a comprehensive monograph on cephalopod beaks. "It is amazing and a true honour to receive such a prestigious prize", said Dr Xavier.  "Such a prize will strengthen and open new doors to international collaborations, agreeing with the true spirit of how Antarctic science is carried out today. The Selection Committee of leading Antarctic scientists and policy makers also cited his leadership in the establishment of a new and thriving Antarctic research programme in Portugal during the International Polar Year (IPY, 2007-2008) and in launching a highly successful educational programme, LATITUDE 60! during the IPY. The award ceremony will be held at the Worl[d Conference on Marine Biodiversity](http://www.marine-biodiversity.org/), Aberdeen, Scotland next month. Read more about the 2011 awards and of the two previous awards at [http://www.museprize.org/news.html](http://www.museprize.org/news.html). [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_prion_island_anton_wolfaardt.jpg "Wandering Albatross on Prion Island, South Atlantic. Photograph by Anton Wolfaardt")](https://www.acap.aq/ http://www.blogger.com/profile/01926258246490880187 ) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatross-researcher-awarded-the-prestigious-martha-t-muse-prize-for-2011.md) ## Pacific fishery organization considers four working papers on seabird mortality and mitigation in Pohnpei. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission ([WCPFC](http://www.wcpfc.int/)) is currently holding the [Seventh Regular Session](http://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/2011/7th-regular-session-scientific-committee) of its Scientific Committee in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia from 7-19 August. At the meeting four Working Papers will be discussed that relate to aspects of the non-target mortality of seabirds, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. A list of these papers follows: Y. Inoue, K. Yokawa, H. Minami, D. Ochi, N. Sato & N. Katsumata: Distribution of seabird bycatch at WCPFC and the neighboring area of the southern hemisphere.  [EB-WP-07](http://www.wcpfc.int/doc/eb-wp-07/distribution-seabird-bycatch-wcpfc-and-neighboring-area-southern-hemisphere) E. Melvin, T. Guy & N. Sato:  Preliminary Report of 2010 Weighted Branch-line Trials in the Tuna Joint Venture Fishery in the South African EEZ.  [EB-WP-08](http://www.wcpfc.int/doc/eb-wp-08/preliminary-report-2010-weighted-branch-line-trials-tuna-joint-venture-fishery-south-af). H. Minami, D. Ochi & N. Sato :  A comparison of two blue-dyed bait types for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in the experimental operations of the Japanese southern bluefin tuna longline.  [EB-WP-09](http://www.wcpfc.int/doc/eb-wp-09/comparison-two-blue-dyed-bait-types-reducing-incidental-catch-seabirds-experimental-ope). K. Bigelow:  Seabird interaction rates estimated from observer data (2004-2011) in the Hawaii-based shallow and deep-set longline fisheries.  [EB-WP-10](http://www.wcpfc.int/doc/eb-wp-10/seabird-interaction-rates-estimated-observer-data-2004-2011-hawaii-based-shallow-and--0). ACAP is being represented at the WCPFC Scientific Committee meeting by its Executive Secretary, Warren Papworth. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_07_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pacific-fishery-organization-considers-four-working-papers-on-seabird-mortality-and-mitigation-in-pohnpei.md) ## Juvenile giant petrels like it productive John van den Hoff ([Australian Antarctic Division](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/)) has looked at where juvenile giant petrels *Macronectes* spp. go to at sea utilizing band recoveries, publishing his findings last month in the open-access journal *[Ecosphere](http://www.esajournals.org)*. The paper's abstract follows: "Explaining long-term population change for migratory seabirds such as Giant Petrels (Macronectes spp.) has proven elusive because only aspects of adult life-histories have been studied.  There is a paucity of demographic data for juveniles however; there is a considerable amount of leg-band recovery location data for younger age-classes.  Nestlings were leg-banded at two sub-Antarctic islands, and at two higher latitude Antarctic breeding colonies.  Bands were most often recovered in winter within six months of liberation.  Banded fledglings were recovered in known productive upwelling biomes.  The birds had travelled between 350 and 6150 km downwind from their natal colonies to reach these biomes.  The distances fledglings travelled to reach the biomes were correlated with the observed population trends at their natal colonies; negative/positive population trends were correlated with great/lesser distances travelled.  This study highlights the potential importance [of] juvenile life-history attributes when considering population change for long-lived seabird species, and identifies rich upwelling regions such as the Humboldt and Benguelen [sic] Currents that might be important foraging areas for this and other Procellariiform species with high conservation values." **Reference:** van den Hoff, J. 2011.  Recoveries of juvenile Giant Petrels in regions of ocean productivity: potential implications for population change.  [*Ecosphere* 2(7):  1-13](http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/ES11-00083.1). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant_Petrel_Gough_Island_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel. Photograph by John Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/juvenile-giant-petrels-like-it-productive.md) ## Is it safe to eat a mutton bird? Pesticide levels in Sooty Shearwaters Alaa El-Din Bekhit of the[Department of Food Science](http://www.otago.ac.nz/foodscience/), Division of Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand and colleagues, writing in the journal *[Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01476513)*have looked at levels of organochlorines and various elements in Sooty Shearwaters (a potential candidate for ACAP listing) sold for human consumption.  They conclude that "Mutton bird meat is high in essential nutrient elements and of low toxicological risk". The paper's abstract follows: "The Sooty Shearwater (*Puffinus griseus*, commonly known as Mutton bird) is a migratory wild seabird, annually harvested for food by certain native groups in New Zealand and Australia and in many parts of the world. The concentrations of 22 elements and several organochlorine pesticides [2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT), its derivatives dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), aldrin, chlordane, dicofol, lindane, and methoxychlor] in Mutton bird were determined over two consecutive years to evaluate its safety for human consumption. Twenty bird carcasses were purchased in each of 2007 and 2008 from a local source. No significant year effect (*P*>0.05) was found in the following nine trace elements: Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Se. The concentrations of Hg, Li and Na were higher (*P*<0.05) in 2008 samples compared to 2007. The toxic trace elements (mg/kg wet weight) in all the samples were below the maximum residual level (MRL). The concentration of Fe, Ca and Se in Mutton bird was higher than that in domestic land animal meats reported in literature. The residual organochlorine concentrations were all below the recommended MRL. Thus Mutton bird meat is high in essential nutrient elements and of low toxicological risk. Due to active use of agrochemical in New Zealand, a monitoring program for contaminants in Mutton birds is recommended." **Reference:** El-Din Bekhit, A., Al-Amer, S., Gooneratne, R., Mason, S.L., Osman, K.A. & Clucas, L. 2011. Concentrations of trace elementals and organochlorines in Mutton bird (*Puffinus griseus*).  [*Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety*74: 1742-1746](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651311001461). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Sooty/sooty_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Sooty Shearwater at sea. Photograph by John Graham") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-mutton-bird-pesticide-levels-in-sooty-shearwaters.md) ## ACAP's Seabird Bycatch Working Group commences discussions with a full programme in Ecuador The ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group is meeting this week over three days at the Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, Ecuador, before the Sixth Meeting of the Agreement's Advisory Committee takes place next week at the same venue.  The three-day meeting is being held under the co-convenorship of Barry Baker (ACAP Secretariat) and Anton Wolfaardt (United Kingdom). The meeting, the fourth of the working group, is considering over 50 documents, available for public consultation [on-line](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/working-groups/seabird-bycatch-working-group/seabird-bycatch-meeting-4/sbwg4-meeting-documents). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/sbwg_2011_john_cooper.jpg) Anton Wolfaardt, Barry Baker, Warren Papworth and Graham Robertson take the stage for the bycatch meeting ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/acap_sbwg_2011.jpg) Attendees at the Seabird Bycatch Working Goup's 2011 meeting. Photographs by John Cooper Discussions are taking place on the following agenda items: Pelagic Longline Bycatch Mitigation, Trawl Bycatch Mitigation, Demersal Longline Bycatch Mitigation, Gillnet Bycatch Mitigation, Artisanal Fisheries, Review of Bycatch Data provided by Parties, Bycatch Data Collection, Conservation Priorities, Development of Indicators, Coordination of activities relating to RFMOs, FAO IPOA/NPOA-Seabirds, Mitigation Fact Sheets, Risk Assessment, Review of Progress reports for ACAP funded Programmes, SBWG Work Programme, Work Programme 2010 - 2012, and Work Programme 2013 -2015. The Working Group's report will be considered by the Advisory Committee meeting next week. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acaps-seabird-bycatch-working-group-commences-discussions-with-a-full-programme-in-ecuador.md) ## Using albatross foster parents to reduce the chances of bird-strikes on aircraft in Hawaii Much like the airplanes that many of us rely on for transport to far and away places, albatrosses also require suitable ‘take off' and ‘landing strips' from which to access their breeding colonies.  As a result, they often choose nesting sites with favourable wind conditions.  For the majority of the world's albatross species, this thankfully occurs on uninhabited islands where competition with human aircraft for these prime locations is scarce.  However, in Hawaii, USA in the North Pacific several growing Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* populations on the islands of Oahu and Kauai have chosen various airfields as their nesting locations, much to the dismay of those in charge of maintaining aircraft and human safety.  Thankfully, the site with the largest number of nesting albatrosses, the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility ([PMRF](http://www.cnic.navy.mil/PMRF/)) on the west coast of Kauai, has come up with an innovative solution to discourage nesting. The U.S. Navy has a requirement to discourage albatrosses from nesting around airfields in order to reduce the bird strike hazard to aircraft.  Adults that are encountered near the runway at PMRF are captured, driven across the island to the [Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint/) and released in the hopes of discouraging them from returning.  Despite this, approximately 75 albatrosses attempt to nest annually at PMRF, and as a result of the conflict this creates with military aircraft, the eggs are removed from the nests.  Previously, these eggs were legally destroyed or donated for research purposes.  However, in 2006 a programme was initiated with biologists from the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](http://www.fws.gov/) to help save some of these nests by temporarily incubating the eggs collected at PMRF until suitable ‘foster nests' could be found in the albatross colony on Kauai's north shore. Once eggs are collected at PMRF, biologists visit every suitable wild albatross nest on-island and candle each egg to determine its viability.  Candling is the procedure of shining a bright light through the shell to illuminate the interior of an egg.  The name is derived from the historic practice of using wax candles to illuminate the egg to determine viability or assess development.  Because candling must be done in the dark, a black hood was used to accomplish this during daylight hours.  A shield was placed between the bird and biologist to remove the egg with minimal disturbance to the incubating adult and prevent the adult from accidentally striking its own egg. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_egg_lindsay_young.jpg "Egg retrieval technique") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_egg_collecting_lindsay_young.jpg "Hood used to candle eggs during daylight hours") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_candling_egg_lindsay_young.jpg "Visible blood vessels established viability in this egg. Photographs by Lindsay Young") Once suitable foster parent nests are identified (i.e. those with an unviable egg), eggs are transferred from the artificial incubator at PMRF to their new foster nest where their reproductive outcome is tracked until the chicks fledge. This programme is now in its sixth year and has saved hundreds of Laysan Albatross eggs from being destroyed as well as increasing the species' overall productivity on Kauai.  Although some eggs are still destroyed as there are simply not enough foster parents available, it is hoped that they will be able to be sent to other islands in the future as the albatross egg-swap programme expands. *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, 24 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/using-albatross-foster-parents-to-reduce-the-chances-of-bird-strikes-on-aircraft-in-hawaii.md) ## ACAP's Information Officer gets to see Waved Albatrosses breeding on Española, Galapagos Islands With the Albatross and Petrel Agreement meeting in Ecuador this year, opportunity is being taken by several members of the ACAP Secretariat to visit the relatively nearby Galapagos Islands, home of the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3955) Waved Albatross *Phoebastria irrorata*, as well as of many other endemic birds. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_adult_john_cooper.jpg "Waved Allbatross at Punta Suarez, August 2011. Photograph by John Cooper") Although several of the secretarial staff have elected to visit the Galapagos after to the ACAP meetings in Guayaquil, ACAP's honorary Information Officer needed to go in advance, as I leave near-immediately after the ACAP Advisory Committee meeting on my annual field visit to Gough Island in the South Atlantic. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_chick_john_cooper.jpg "Waved Albatross post-guard chick") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/john_cooper_punta_suarez.jpg "ACAP's Information Officer stops as instructed for a photo-opportunity at Punta Suarez among the Waved Albatrosses") Realizing a long-standing ambition, I spent a few hours within the albatross colony at [Punta Suarez](https://discovergalapagos.com-en.com) on [Española Island](http://www.galapaguide.com/islands_espanola.htm) in the Galapagos on 19 August.  There were not many adults ashore as the guard stage was over, but a number of downy chicks of varying sizes and a displaying adult pair put on a good show as did birds taking off from and flying along the coastal cliff.  Definitely memories to savour and to keep! ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_takes_off_john_cooper.jpg "A Waved Albatross launches itself off the cliff at Punta Suarez") The Sixth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee will be considering an [Action Plan](https://www.acap.aq/documents/download-document/1623-ac6-doc-29-waved-albatross-plan-of-action) for the Waved Albatross at its Sixth Meeting next week. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_statue_puerto_aroya_santa_cruz_john cooper.jpg "Waved Albatross statue in Peurto Aroya, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands. Photograph by John Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acaps-information-officer-gets-to-see-waved-albatrosses-breeding-on-espanola-galapagos-islands.md) ## Ship? Check! Helicopters? Check! Bait? Check! Eradicating rodents from seabird islands on a global scale Over the last few years, efforts to eradicate introduced rodents and other mammalian invaders from seabird islands have moved up yet another notch, in terms of complexity, island size, numbers of species to eradicate and island remoteness.  Current efforts to rid Macquarie Island and South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* of such pests are the most notable for islands that support breeding colonies of ACAP-listed species.  These complex eradication programmes have been regularly reported on in *ACAP Latest News* on this web site. Another massive effort is currently being made to eradicate rodents on a suite of well-scattered seabird islands in the Pacific Ocean, utilizing a single ocean-going vessel which has been moving sequentially from island to island.  The islands include the USA's [Palmyra Atoll ](http://www.fws.gov/palmyraatoll/)in the North Pacific where the 25 islets that comprise the atoll were aerially baited to rid them of introduced Black Rats *Rattus rattus* in June ([click here](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/stories/110822.html)), and, this month, the UK's Henderson Island, a [World Heritage Site](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/487) in the South Pacific, where the target is the Pacific Rat *R. exulans* ([click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-24193))*.* The Pacific restoration projects are being undertaken from the M.V. *Aquila*, on a 27 000-km voyage.  Between Palmyra and Henderson the ship also worked at the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati. No ACAP-listed species are being helped by these specific eradications.  However, the efforts still makes for heartening reading and they will surely help in developing and expanding the needed skills and knowledge base for future efforts, such as ridding UK's Gough Island in the South Atlantic of its "killer mice", and so saving the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* from likely extinction. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan_Albatross_chick_by_Ross_Wanless.jpg "Gough's killer mice attack a Tristan Albatross chick. Photograph by Ross Wanless") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 August 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/ship-check-helicopters-check-bait-check-eradicating-rodents-from-seabird-islands-on-a-global-scale.md) ## Albatross friendly? Marine Stewardship Council re-certifies two longline fisheries in the North Pacific The [U.S. North Pacific Halibut](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/certified/pacific/us-north-pacific-halibut) and the [U.S. North Pacific Sablefish](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/certified/pacific/us-north-pacific-sablefish )fisheries operating in territorial waters off the coast of Alaska, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska have been re-certified for a further five years by the [Marine Stewardship Council ](http://www.msc.org/)as sustainable and well-managed fisheries ([click here](http://www.msc.org/newsroom/news/two-alaska-fisheries-earn-re-certification-to-msc-standard?fromsearch=1&isnewssearch=1)). North Pacific Halibut *Hippoglosus stenolepis*is caught by a demersal longline fishery. Besides Alaska, a small portion of the harvest occurs off the coast of Washington.  The United States and Canadian Governments co-manage halibut stocks through the [International Pacific Halibut Commission](http://www.iphc.int/). North Pacific Sablefish *Anoplopoma fimbria*, also known as black cod, is caught by demersal longlines in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Both fisheries have the potential to interact with the three ACAP-listed albatrosses (genus *Phoebastria*) that breed in the North Pacific, as well as with trans-equatorial *Puffinus* shearwaters and other seabirds. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short-Tailed_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds1.jpg "Short-tailed Albatross in flight. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatross-friendly-marine-stewardship-council-re-certifies-two-longline-fisheries-in-the-north-pacific.md) ## ACAP's Status and Trends and Breeding Sites Working Groups commence their first joint meeting in Guayaquil, Ecuador this week The Sixth Meeting of ACAP's Status and Trends Working Group (STWG 6) is being held jointly with the Fourth Meeting of the Breeding Sites Working Group (BSWG 4) this week over two days in the Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, Ecuador, shortly before the Sixth Meeting of the Agreement's Advisory Committee takes place at the same venue.  The joint meeting is being co-convened by Rosemary Gales (from Australia) and Richard Phillips (of the United Kingdom), with the help of Henri Weimerskirch, STWG Vice-convener (from France). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/bswg_stwg_2011_barry_baker.jpg) Henri Weimerskirch, Richard Phillips, Rosemary Gales and Wieslawa Misiak take the stage as the meeting gets underway.   Photograph by Barry Baker ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/marcelo_garcia_jorge_azocar.jpg "G'day mate! Jorge Azocar and Marcelo Garcia from Chile enthusiastically wait for the meeting's start. Photograph by John Cooper") Documents being considered at the joint meeting are available for consultation [on-line](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/working-groups/joint-stwg-6-bswg-4-meeting-2011/stwg-6-/-bswg-4-meeting-documents). Matters to be discussed include the proposed nomination of the Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus* to the Agreement by Spain ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/acaps-advisory-committee-to-consider-a-proposal-by-spain-to-add-the-balearic-shearwater-to-the-agreement)). Other items for discussion include updating the ACAP Species Assessments, identification of internationally important breeding sites, biosecurity and eradication guidelines, census methodologies for surface-nesting albatrosses and petrels, the Red Data status of ACAP-listed species, threats arising from pathogens, parasites and disease, and a proposed merger of the two working groups. The working groups' combined report will be considered by ACAP's Advisory Committee meeting next week. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acaps-status-and-trends-and-breeding-sites-working-groups-commence-their-first-joint-meeting-in-guayaquil-ecuador-this-week.md) ## UPDATED Risks from airplanes visiting seabird islands: three Black-footed Albatrosses killed by one take-off on Tern Island in the North Pacific "Effectively tracking Monument permits allows for accurate reporting of levels of human presence. The level of human presence in the Monument is strictly regulated and continually evaluated to monitor and mitigate for cumulative impacts. Human presence in the Monument is necessary to carry out resource management objectives and conduct necessary scientific and cultural research. The number of permitted aircraft and vessel entries into the Monument is one method of measuring the level of human presence. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge operates a small functioning airport, and Tern Island within French Frigate Shoals contains a small airstrip. These two areas within Papahänaumokuäkea are the only locations equipped to accept aircraft. Table 1 indicates the number of permitted flights that occurred to and from the Monument in 2008-2010. Within the past two years (2009-2010), there was a 28 percent decrease in the total number flights in the Monument." Table 1. The number of flights permitted to and from the Monument, in 2008 through 2010   | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Airport/Airstrip Location** | **2008** | **2009** | **2010** | | French Frigate Shoals | 13 | 13 | 11 | | Midway Atoll | 99 | 87 | 61 |   Taken from "[Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument](http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html) permitted Activities 2010 Annual Report" at [http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/resource/support/2010PermitAR_web.pdf](http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/resource/support/2010PermitAR_web.pdf).    **************   Collisions between birds and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft are a serious problem world-wide.  However, ACAP-listed species by the nature of them breeding on mainly uninhabited islands distant from airports would seem to be not overly at risk from this form of mortality (but [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/using-albatross-foster-parents-to-reduce-the-chances-of-bird-strikes-on-aircraft-in-hawaii) for the previous news story in *ACAP Latest News* on the bird-strike problem affecting Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis*). On 25 January 2008 on USA's [Tern Island](http://ternisland.com/), [French Frigate Shoals](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Frigate_Shoals )in the North Pacific a small fixed-wing aeroplane killed three [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3957) Black-footed Albatrosses *Phoebastria nigripes* on take-off.  One bird was sliced in half and two died of internal injuries.  The plane was an eight-seater, two-engined Cessna 421C. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-footed_albatross_aeroplane_mortality_ian_jones.jpg "A Cessna takes off from Tern Island in 2008. Note the falling albatross that had been struck by the plane moments before. Photograph by Ian Jones") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/blac-footed_albatross_wing_tern_ian_jones.jpg "Sliced-off wing of a Black-footed Albatross from the 2008 bird strike on Tern Island. Photograph by Ian Jones") It has been reported that other take-offs by planes from Tern Island have resulted in avian mortalities, on one at least occasion killing up to an estimated 70 [Sooty Terns](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sooty_Tern) *Sterna fuscata*. Tern Island has a landing strip and permanent habitation for a small number of people.  It is maintained as a field station in the [Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=12526) by the [United States Fish and Wildlife Service](http://www.fws.gov/) as part of the [Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument](http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html). Go to [http://ruthontern.blogspot.com/2010/05/written-tuesday-23rd-february-plane-day.html](http://ruthontern.blogspot.com/2010/05/written-tuesday-23rd-february-plane-day.html) to read of the current efforts being made to reduce bird strikes on Tern Island by scaring ("hazing") birds off the [runway](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Frigate_Shoals_Airport) (which occupies much the larger part of the island) before each flight.   A plane flies between Honolulu, Ohau and Tern Island about once a month.  It shuttles scientists to and from the island, carries mail and occasionally brings groceries. The [management plan](http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/management/mp/vol1_mmp08.pdf) for the [Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument](http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html) has a section (3.3.3 Maritime Transportation and Aviation Action Plan; pp. 217-222) that states " A relatively small number of flights are conducted in the Monument.  The ... agencies charter on average 27 flights to French Frigate Shoals and 45 flights to Midway Atoll each year to transport supplies and personnel.  The Coast Guard conducts regular enforcement overflights, often landing at Midway Atoll for refueling."  Strategies have been identified for achieving the desired outcome of preventing and reducing impacts of aircraft operating in and transiting the monument.   *ACAP Latest News* would be pleased to hear of other occurrences of bird strikes of ACAP-listed species for posting to this web site.  With thanks to Ian Jones for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 August 2011, updated 1 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/risks-from-airplanes-visiting-seabird-islands-three-black-footed-albatrosses-killed-by-one-take-off-on-tern-island-in-the-north-pacific.md) ## ACAP publishes on-line biosecurity and quarantine guidelines for albatross and petrel breeding sites Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to biodiversity, including species listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.  For centuries, humans have deliberately and unintentionally moved plants, animals and other organisms beyond their natural ranges.  Unfortunately, some alien species are invasive, and have and continue to alter the structure and functioning of ecosystems, sometimes leading to local extinctions. ACAP has recognised that invasive alien species pose a serious threat to albatrosses and petrels, and that urgent action is required to manage this threat.  Under the Agreement, Parties are required to take management action to prevent the introduction to habitats, of alien plants, animals and disease-causing organisms that may be detrimental to populations of albatrosses and petrels.  To support such management actions ACAP has now published on-line biosecurity and quarantine guidelines for albatross and petrel breeding sites. The 17-page illustrated [guidelines document](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/PDF_Docs/En/ACAP%20Biosecurity%20guidelines%20EN1.0.pdf )has been written by Anton Wolfaardt, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, United Kingdom on behalf of the Agreement, and published to coincide with ACAP meetings being held this and next week in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The purpose of the document is to summarise guidelines on biosecurity management for breeding sites of ACAP species, and to provide a selected bibliography and list of online resources.  It is primarily intended to be a useful working document for the ACAP community. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Gough_Island_Met_Base_by_John_Cooper.jpg "The South African weather station on the UK's Gough Island: scene of stringent biosecurity measures. Photograph by John Cooper") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/velcro.jpg "Presence of plant material, especially viable seeds, in Velcro on clothing is a serious biosecurity problem. Photograph from John Cooper") A previous ACAP guidelines document, covering the eradication of introduced mammals from breeding sites of ACAP-listed seabirds, was produced in 2009 by Richard Phillips of the UK's British Antarctic Survey ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/PDF_Docs/En/acap_eradication_guidelines_en1.1.pdf)).  It is intended that both guidelines documents will be regularly revised and updated. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acap-publishes-on-line-biosecurity-and-quarantine-guidelines-for-albatross-and-petrel-breeding-sites.md) ## Lewis Carroll and the albatross: The Mad Gardener's Song Lewis Carroll, Victorian author of the well-known children's stories *Alice in Wonderland* and *Through the Looking Glass*, also wrote a less well-known book entitled *[Sylvie and Bruno](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvie_and_Bruno)*, published in 1899.  A poem, The Mad Gardener's Song, appears in the book with an albatross verse: He thought he saw an Albatross That fluttered round the lamp: He looked again, and found it was a Penny-Postage Stamp. 'You'd best be getting home,' he said: 'The nights are very damp!' [Lewis Carroll ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Carroll)was the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer.  His brother, the [Reverend Edwin Heron Dodgson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_H._Dodgson), was the resident priest on Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic from 1880 to 1884 and again from 1886 to 1889.  Assuredly Edwin would have spoken to his brother Charles about his two sojourns on Tristan, who may well have learnt about albatrosses from him. [Click here](http://blog.themorgan.org/lewis-carroll-turns-an-albatross-into-a-postage-stamp.aspx)to view a page of a letter from Carroll to his illustrator, suggesting along with an amusing sketch quite how an albatross could turn into a postage stamp. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/dodgson_tristan_stamp.jpg) Postage stamps issued in 1981 by Tristan da Cunha to mark the centenary of Edwin Dodgson's arrival on the islands ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_by_Ross_Wanless_and_Andrea_Angel.jpg "Tristan Albatross and chick. Photograph by Ross Wanless/Andrea Angel") The Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* was likely extinct on the main island of Tristan by the end of the 19th century.  However, two other species still breed on the island: the Atlantic Yellow-nosed *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* and the Sooty *Phoebetria fusca* Albatrosses.  If Lewis Carroll did learn about albatrosses from his brother one could wonder which of the three species (if any) he intended to be illustrated in *[Sylvie and Bruno](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvie_and_Bruno)*. [Click here](http://wonderingminstrels.blogspot.com/1999/11/mad-gardener-song-lewis-carroll.html ) to read the whole poem: it's quite fun! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/lewis-carroll-and-the-albatross-the-mad-gardeners-song.md) ## Black-footed Albatross management in the face of sea level rise Crystal Krause of the [Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Center](http://biology.usgs.gov/pierc/) and colleagues presented a paper with the title "Black-footed Albatross management in the face of sea level rise" at the [19th Annual Hawai‘i Conservation Conference; Island Ecosystems: The Year of the Forest](http://hawaiiconservation.org/activities/hawaii_conservation_conference), held over 2-4 August 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.  The conference was organized by the [Hawai'i Conservation Alliance](http://hawaiiconservation.org/activities). The paper's abstract follows: "Understanding the dynamics of climate change on small island populations of breeding seabirds is essential for future management strategies to prevent species population declines and extinctions.  Small islands are predicted to be especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as sea-level rise, severe storms, and wash over events.  Sea-level rise could lead to a reduction of island size, shrinking already limited habitat for the 14 million seabirds that use the small low lying islands of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).  Climate change scenarios predict an increase in storm intensity and changes in habitat conditions that could cause high mortality in many breeding seabird colonies.  The resilience of seabird population toward more frequent extreme events due to climate change is a topic of interest to managers.  The role of density dependence on the nesting biology of colonially nesting seabirds is also unknown, and species flexibility to establish successful new colonies on higher ground in the Hawaiian Islands given sea level rise is also uncertain given the numerous introduced predators that have invaded the main Hawaiian Islands. Mammalian predators on high elevation islands, along with strong natal philopatry could hinder colony establishment of the main Hawaiian Islands less vulnerable to sea level rise impacts.  We used structured decision making to identify the best sequence of actions to help protect the BFAL [Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes*] against sea level rise and support the goals set out in the Albatross Action Plan, USFWS Seabird Conservation Plan." One of the presentation's authors, Beth Flint, presented a similar talk to the Joint Meeting of the Breeding Sites and the Status and Trends Working Groups of the ACAP Advisory Committee, in Guayaquil, Ecuador on 26 August.  Her talk also covered the effects of the [2011 tsunami](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds) on the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/beth_flint_john_cooper.jpg) Beth Flint addresses ACAP delegates about climate change and tsumani effects on North Pacific albatrosses in Guayaquil Photograph by John Cooper ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_colony.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_colony_after_tsunami.jpg) Eastern Island, Midway Atoll, before and after the 2011 tsunami Photographs by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lindsay Young, ACAP Pacific News Correspondent and colleagues presented two co-authored papers entitled "Restoring coastal ecosystems: the story of Hawai‘i's first predator-proof fence at Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve" and "Relationships among substrate, seabirds, and vegetation at Ka‘ena Point, a recovering Hawaiian ecosystem"at the Hawaii Conference.  [Ka'ena Point](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/oahu/kaenapoint) supports a breeding population of Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis*.  [Click here](http://hawaiiconservation.org/files/content/activities/hawaii_conservation_conference/abstract_book_final_edited.pdf) to access these abstracts and to see what other papers on seabirds were presented at the conference. With thanks to Beth Flint, Pacific Reefs National Wildlife Refuge Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/black-footed-albatross-management-in-the-face-of-sea-level-rise.md) ## Sixth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee opens in Ecuador, home of the Waved Albatross The Sixth Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Agreement on Albatrosses and Petrels commenced its deliberations in the Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, Ecuador yesterday, with delegations of 12 of the 13 Parties present.  Discussions will continue until Friday 2nd September. The meeting commenced with welcoming addresses by Maria Elena Porros, Coordinadora General de Derechos y Garantias and Nelson Zambrano López, Director de Gestión y Coordinación Marina y Costera, Ministerio de Ambiente de Ecuador.  In their remarks they made mention of the world-famous Galapagos Islands, home to many seabird species, including the ACAP-listed and Ecuadorian endemic Waved Albatross *Phoebastria irrorata*, as well as Isla de la Plata off Ecuador's mainland, the only other breeding site of this Critically Endangered albatross. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/ac6_opening_john_cooper.jpg) Mark Tasker, Advisory Committee Vice-Chair, Marco Favero, Chair, Nelson Zambrano, Ecuador Ministry of Environment and Warren Papworth listen to Maria Elena Porros address the opening session Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary and Marco Favero, Chair ACAP Advisory Committee replied, thanking the Ecuadorian hosts for their hospitality and drawing attention to the work of the Agreement in 2007 in developing an action plan for the Waved Albatross, for which a round-table to discuss implementing and reviewing the plan had been held over the preceding weekend.  Marco Favero then opened the meeting, informing attendees of the full agenda that needed to be addressed. In the first day deliberations considered various procedural and financial matters as well reports from NGO observers in attendance, including ASOC (Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition), BirdLife International, Humane Society International and WWF.  All expressed their appreciation for the close collaborations that continued to take place between their organizations and ACAP, especially in relation to seabird bycatch, often conducted for and at meetings of tuna regional fishery management organizations.  This view was reciprocated by the meeting's Chair. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/ac6_asoc_bli_john_cooper.jpg) NGO corner: Estelle van der Merwe of ASOC and John Croxall of BirdLife International confer at the opening session The observer from the Convention on Migratory Species, its Scientific and Technical Officer, Borja Heredia, informed the meeting of a survey the CMS was undertaking to assess the non-target impacts of gill-netting on migratory marine fauna, including on seabirds.  The report was expected to be submitted to the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties to the CMS, to be held in Bergen, Norway in November this year.  Last week ACAP's Seabird Bycatch Working Group had discussed the effects of gill-netting on ACAP-listed species, so news of the impending CMS report was welcomed by the group's Convenor, Barry Baker.  The Ecuador delegation also made mention of its own domestic study of the effects of artisanal gill-netting, for which a report was expected in due course. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/historical_park_dinner_john_cooper.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/leigh-ann_wolfaardt charles_chang_john_croxall_by_john_cooper.jpg) Opening dinner in the Parque Histórico de Guayaquil: each delegate was presented with a Sombrero de Paja Toquilla (a "Panama hat", which are actually made in Ecuador) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/sixth-meeting-of-acaps-advisory-committee-opens-in-ecuador-home-of-the-waved-albatross.md) ## The Waved Albatross of Isla de la Plata gets a visit during ACAP meetings in Ecuador In between meetings of the ACAP Working Groups and the Advisory Committee being held in Guayaquil, Ecuador this month, 10 delegates took the opportunity to visit [Isla de la Plata](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_de_la_Plata), 41 kilometres offshore from the fishing village of [Puerto López](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_L%C3%B3pez) on 27 August.  This arid 1200-ha island forms part of the 46 000-ha [Machalilla National Park](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machalilla_National_Park), which includes a 14 430-ha Ramsar Wetland of International Importance (Zona Marina Parque Nacional Machalilla, [Site No. 503](http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-annolist-anno-ecuador/main/ramsar/1-30-168%5E16426_4000_0__), designated in 1990). Isla de la Plata (it has been described as the "poor person's Galapagos") is the only locality where the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3955) Waved Albatrosses *Phoebastria irrorata*has been recorded breeding outside the Galapagos Islands.  The limited information available suggests that no more than 10 pairs breed, but long-term data are stated to be too sketchy to assess population trends.  In 2001, three adults were seen with no evidence of breeding. *![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/isla_de_la_plata_group_colin_miskelly.jpg)* ACAP delegates on Isla de la Plata Visible are Jorge Azocar, Luke Finley, Victoria Gobbi, Ed Abraham, Rebecca Bird and Igor Debski Photograph by Colin Miskelly ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/waved_albatross_isla_de_la_plata_colin_miskelly.jpg) A Waved Albatross broods its downy chick on Isla de la Plata Photograph by Colin Miskelly During the ACAP visit a single adult Waved Albatross was seen brooding a downy chick, confirming that breeding still takes place on Isla de la Plata.  The island is also an important breeding site for Blue-footed *Sula nebouxii* and Nazca *S. granti* Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds *Fregata magnificens* and Red-billed Tropicbirds *Phaethon aethereus*. With thanks to Colin Miskelly for information and photographs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-waved-albatross-of-isla-de-la-plata-gets-a-visit-during-acap-meetings-in-ecuador.md) ## Japanese Delegation to the ACAP Advisory Committee meeting presents information on seabird mortality from Japanese longliners in the Southern Hemisphere An important presentation was made to delegates attending the Sixth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee in Guayaquil, Ecuador yesterday by Dr Yukiko Inoue of the Japanese National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (Tuna and Skipjack Resources Division). Her talk, entitled "Distribution of seabird bycatch in the Southern Hemisphere" analysed a large data set collected by observers on Japanese research and commercial tuna longliners over the period 1992 to 2010.  Over 25 million hooks from 10 500 sets were observed and 3389 seabirds were reported killed. Most seabird mortality was of 17 species of ACAP-listed albatrosses and *Macronectes* and *Procellaria* petrels, with smaller numbers of other seabirds, such as shearwaters.  The birds reported most commonly killed were Grey-headed *Thalassarche chrysostoma* and Black-browed *T. melanophris* albatrosses.  "Hotspots" for seabird bycatch were in Chilean and South African waters and in the south-eastern Indian Ocean. Dr Inoue informed the meeting that further analyses of total bycatch will be made by area, season and year for each species.  Interest in her talk was high, so much so that on request she kindly repeated it later in the day to allow for a more extensive question and answer session.  This is the first time a Japanese delegation is attending a meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/yukiko_inoue_john_cooper.jpg) Yukiko Inoue presents her talk on seabird bycatch by Japanese longliners ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/yukiko_inoue_daisuke _ochi_richard_phillips_john_cooper.jpg) Yukiko Inoue and Daisuke Ochi discuss seabird bycatch issues with Richard Phillips of the United Kingdom's British Antarctic Survey Photographs by John Cooper **Reference:** Inoue, Y., Yokawa, K., Minami, H., Ochi, D., Sato, N. & Katsumata, N. 2011.  Distribution of seabird bycatch at WCPFC and the neighboring area of the southern hemisphere. [WCPFC-SC7-EB-WP07](http://www.wcpfc.int/doc/eb-wp-07/distribution-seabird-bycatch-wcpfc-and-neighboring-area-southern-hemisphere).  24 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/japanese-delegation-to-the-acap-advisory-committee-meeting-presents-information-on-seabird-mortality-from-japanese-longliners-in-the-southern-hemisphere.md) ## Delegates to ACAP Advisory Committee meeting go on a coastal outing to Salinas to see birds and seals Most of the delegates attending the Sixth Meeting of ACAP's Advisory Committee meeting in Guayaquil, Ecuador took a day off for a field outing yesterday.  Boarding a bus we travelled west to Salinas where we visited the Ecuasal ([Ecuatoriana de Sal y Productos Quimico](http://www.ecuasal.com/refugio.htm)) salt works to view migratory shorebirds and seabirds, which included pelicans, cormorants, gulls and terns.  Flamingos, grebes and ducks were also present.  The Lagunas de Ecuasal-Salinas are an [Important Bird Area](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=14583) as the evaporation pans and linking channels (spread over 500 ha) support up to 30 000 over-wintering [Wilson's Phalaropes *Phalaropus tricolor*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_Phalarope). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/salinas_3_john_cooper.jpg) Delegates viewing birds at the Ecuasal salt pans ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/salinas_1_john_cooper.jpg) Spencer Clubb, Rosemary Gales, Luke Finley, Kim Rivera, Estelle van der Merwe and Rebecca Bird enjoy the shade at Ecuasal   We then entered a military area to look at the [South American Sea Lions *Otaria flavescens*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_American_Sea_Lion) at La Lobería, a rocky headland near the site of past international surfing competitions. Salinas got its start as a small fishing village and is now one of the most travelled tourist spots on the coast of Ecuador, where surfing is very popular. From there it was back on the bus for a latish lunch at a coastal cliff-top restaurant in Ballenita. No "little whales" were seen but pelicans, frigate birds and a sole booby flew past us as we ate a welcome meal. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/salinas_2_john_cooper.jpg) The only albatross spotted: at our lunch-time stop Photographs by John Cooper No ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels were seen on the outing but delegates returned, hopefully refreshed, for today's final day of the committee meeting and the adoption of its report.  News of that due to be posted over the coming weekend. With thanks to the meeting's Ecuadorian hosts for arranging an enjoyable outing. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/delegates-to-acap-advisory-committee-meeting-go-on-a-coastal-outing-at-salinas-to-see-birds-and-seals.md) ## ACAP Secretariat welcomes two new News Correspondents for Australasia and Europe *ACAP Latest News* on the Albatross and Petrel Agreement's web site aims to be a "one-stop shop" for information on the conservation of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels.  To aid the ACAP Information Officer in realizing this objective, which entails keeping abreast of what's happening globally via personal contacts and from scouring the electronic media, ACAP has been appointing a carefully-selected group of regional News Correspondents over the last year or two. [Lindsay Young](https://www.acap.aq/acap-secretariat-staff/acap-secretariat-staff/lindsay-young?catid=217), based in Oahu, Hawaii is ACAP's North Pacific News Correspondent and feeds through stories mainly on the three North Pacific albatrosses. [Juan Pablo Seco Pon](https://www.acap.aq/acap-secretariat-staff/acap-secretariat-staff/juan-pablo-seco-pon?catid=217) from Argentina is the Agreement's South American News Correspondent, an important role to fill given that six countries on this continent are Parties to the Agreement.  Lindsay and Juan Pablo have now been joined by a further two ACAP news correspondents, pretty-much filling out the global ''hot spots" for ACAP-listed species. [Maite Louzao](https://www.acap.aq/acap-secretariat-staff/acap-secretariat-staff/maite-louzao?catid=217) has been appointed the ACAP European News Correspondent.  She is based in Spain, and is well-placed to report on developments in the Mediterranean and North Sea, especially as it now seems likely that next year the [Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026), a Critically Endangered Mediterranean endemic, will be added to the Agreement. She will also report on activities by European countries, such as France, in the Southern Ocean. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Staff-Photo/Maite_Louzao_pic.jpg "Maite Louzao, ACAP's European News Correspondent") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater2_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwaters at their breeding site. Photograph by Daniel Oro") Over in New Zealand [Matt Rayner](https://www.acap.aq/acap-secretariat-staff/acap-secretariat-staff/matt-rayner?catid=217) has taken up the role of Australasian News Correspondent for the Agreement.  New Zealand has more ACAP-listed species than any other Party, so it is important to keep abreast of activities and developments in that region.  Because the [Fifth Albatross and Petrel Conference](http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fifth-international-albatross-and-petrel-conference/custom-18-7f2350508d8e48278a360a387b75af71.aspx)will be held in Wellington, New Zealand in less than a year's time, his appointment is a timely one. ![Contact](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/matt_rayner_thumb2.jpg) Matt Rayner, ACAP Australasian News Correspondent So with now excellent coverage of the main regions where albatrosses and petrels occur, we will all be trying to keep the stories coming! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acap-secretariat-welcomes-two-new-news-correspondents-for-australasia-and-europe.md) ## Latest issue of Marine Ornithology publishes on diet, moult and infanticide in three shearwater species The [latest issue](http://www.marineornithology.org/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?vol=current) (Vol. 39, No. 1) of the international journal *Marine Ornithology*recently published on-line carries papers on three species of shearwaters that have been identified by ACAP as "potential candidates" for listing within its Annex 1. The titles and links to the papers (one of which is accompanied by two fascinating video clips showing infanticidal behaviour) follow: Keijl, G.O. 2011.  Sooty Shearwaters *Puffinus griseus*in the North Atlantic -moult studies using digital cameras.  [*Marine Ornithology* 39: 141-142](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/39_1/39_1_141-142.pdf). Russell, T., Young, L. 2 & Work, T 2011.  Infanticide of Wedge-Tailed Shearwater *Puffinus pacificus*chick at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  [*Marine Ornithology* 39: 135-136](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/39_1/39_1_135-136.pdf)+ [2 video clips](http://www.marineornithology.org/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?vol=current). Xavier, J.C., Magalhaes, M.C., Mendonca, A.S., Antunes, M., Carvalho, N., Machete, M., Santos, R.S., Paiva, V. & Hamer, K.C. 2011.  Changes in diet of Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea*breeding in the Azores.  [*Marine Ornithology*39: 129-134](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/39_1/39_1_129-134.pdf). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Wedge_tailed/wedge-tailed shearwater_alan_burger.jpg "Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Photograph by Alan Burger") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/latest-issue-of-marine-ornithology-publishes-on-diet-moult-and-infanticide-in-three-shearwater-species.md) ## Pablo Neruda and Eduardo Langagne: two South American poets who have written movingly of albatrosses [Pablo Neruda](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda) (1904-1973) is a well-known Chilean poet who was awarded the 1971 Nobel Prize for Literature. Probably less-well-known is the Mexican poet [Eduard Langagne](http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Langagne) (1952- ). What links these two poets from the perspective of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement is not so much that they have composed their works in the Spanish language (which is one of the three ACAP official languages) but that they have both produced poems with albatrosses as a central theme. Here is one by Langagne about an albatross trapped aboard a ship, with an English translation from the combined (by myself) efforts of Liliana Ayala and Borja Heredia. **Soy el albatros** Soy el albatros no levanto el vuelo l día me quema con su pipa de opio La mañana se mofa de mi andar tropezado Soy el albatros atrapado en la quilla Mi anhelo es silencioso No puedo alzar el vuelo en la cubierta Soy el albatros He de abrir estas alas Alejarme del barco que me impide volar **I am the albatross** I am the albatross I cannot take flight The day burns me with its opium pipe Morning teases me about my stumbling walk I am the albatross Trapped in the keel My wishes are silent I cannot take off from the deck I am the albatross I must open these wings Away from this boat that will not let me fly. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg "Wandering Albatross. Photograph by Warwick Barnes") And here is a short poem by Neruda about the flight of the Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* **Oda a un** **Albatros Errante** En alta mar navega el viento dirigido por el albatros: esta es la nave del albatros: cruza, desciende, danza, sube, se suspende en la luz oscura, toca las torres de la ola, anida en la hirviente argamasa del desordenado element mientras la sal lo condecora y silba la espuma frenética, resbala volando el albatros con sus grandes alas de música dejando sobre la tormenta un libro que sigue volando: es el estatuto del viento Three translations into English of Neruda's poem to a Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* have been found, which make for interesting comparisons: **Ode to a Wandering Albatross** The wind blows across the high seas guiding the albatross that is the course of the albatross: crossing, descending, dancing, rising, suspended in the darkness, touching the towering wave, nestling in the boiling mix of unruly elements as the salt decorates him and the frenetic foam whistles, the albatross slips by, flying with his massive musical wings leaving over the storm a book that continues to fly: it is the state of the wind Translation by Mark Tasker The wind sails the open sea steered by the albatross that glides, falls, dances, climbs, hangs motionless in the fading light, touches the waves' towers, settles down in the disorderly element's seething mortar while the salt crowns it with laurels and the furious foam hisses, skims the waves with its great symphonic wings, leaving above the tempest a book that flies on forever: the statute of the wind. From: [http://www.yogitimes.com/article/wandering-albatross/.](http://www.yogitimes.com/article/wandering-albatross/) In the high sea the wind navigates guided by the albatross: that is the ship of the albatross: crossing, descending, dancing, rising, suspended in the dark light, he touches the towers of the wave, he nests in the boiling mortar of the unruly element while the salt decorates him and the frenetic foam whistles, the albatross slips flying with his large wings of music leaving over the storm a book that continues flying: it is the codex of the wind. From: [http://archive.greenpeace.org/oceans/piratefishing/albatrosl](http://archive.greenpeace.org/oceans/piratefishing/albatross.html)[http://archive.greenpeace.org/oceans/piratefishing/albatross.html](http://archive.greenpeace.org/oceans/piratefishing/albatross.html)s.html[.](http://archive.greenpeace.org/oceans/piratefishing/albatross.html) Listen to a [recitation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWk2oJJubrc) of a longer albatross poem **Oda a un Albatros Viajero** written by Pablo Neruda.  [Click here](http://www.caphorniers.cl/noticias/poema-neruda/oda_albatros.htm) to read the poem in the original Spanish. With thanks to Liliana Ayala, Borja Heredia and Mark Tasker for their translations. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pablo-neruda-and-eduardo-langagne-two-south-american-poets-who-have-written-movingly-of-albatrosses.md) ## ACAP produces draft guidelines for census methodologies for albatrosses and petrels Accurate estimation of numbers is critical for determining conservation status and for identifying key factors influencing changes in population size and demography of seabirds.  ACAP has now produced draft guidelines for counting albatrosses and petrels.  The 13-page document ([BSWG4/STWG6 Doc 06](https://www.acap.aq/documents/english/working-groups/joint-stwg-6-bswg-4-meeting-2011/stwg-6-/-bswg-4-meeting-documents)) was considered at the recent Joint Meeting of ACAP's Breeding Sites and Status & Trends Working Groups held last month in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  It has been co-authored by Anton Wolfaardt (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) and Richard Phillips (British Antarctic Survey) of the United Kingdom. A range of different methods has been used to count surface-breeding ACAP-listed species including ground counts and scans, transect and quadrat sampling to estimate densities, which are then extrapolated to larger areas, aerial photographs from both fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, and boat-based photography of cliff sites. The purpose of the guidelines document is to provide guidelines to assist ACAP Parties in the development and implementation of plans to count ACAP species.  It focuses mostly on surface-breeding species, but also includes some guidelines for surveying burrow-nesting species. The Joint Working Group agreed that the guidelines document will be a valuable practical resource for Parties, and asked the authors, working with the ACAP Secretariat, to update the document based on the inputs received at the meeting.  Once the document has been revised it will be made available on the ACAP website as one of the series of ACAP Conservation Guidelines.  Two of these, on Biosecurity and on Eradication, are already available on the web site for consultation ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/conservation-guidelines)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_colony.jpg "How many here? Counting breeding albatrosses needs standard methodologies") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acap-produces-draft-guidelines-for-census-methodologies-for-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## The World's rarest albatross gets an action plan, with help from the City of Amsterdam The World's rarest albatross, the Amsterdam Albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis*, breeds only on France's Ile Amsterdam in the southern Indian Ocean.  An action plan for the species was considered at the recent Sixth Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee held in Guayaquil, Ecuador. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Meetings/AC6/ac6_henri_weimerskirch_john_cooper.jpg) Dr Henri Weimerskirch presents the Amsterdam Albatross plan to the ACAP meeting Phootograph by John Cooper The [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3953) albatross has a total population of only 32 pairs (*c*. 210 individuals).  The action plan was launched by France in 2010, and has been in place since 2011.  The plan addresses the issues of gaining a better understanding of the risks facing the species and ways to limit whenever possible these risks. Seven main actions will be carried out over the next five years, including the continuation of a long-term monitoring programme, the improvement of knowledge on the species' distribution at sea and overlap with longline fisheries, cooperation with regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) to reduce bycatch risks, a study of the interactions between introduced predators and the Amsterdam Albatross, and measures to prevent dissemination and treat individuals in case of infection from disease. The Advisory Committee meeting in Ecuador was informed that through BirdLife International's [Preventing Extinctions Programme](http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/?gclid=CNTriNaLgqsCFQtU7AodKUsJ2w) that the BirdLife Partner in the Netherlands, [Vogelberscherming Nederland](http://www.vogelbescherming.nl/), had negotiated a sponsorship arrangement from the City of Amsterdam. The Dutch society was designated a BirdLife Species Champion for the Amsterdam Albatross in January 2011.  Through the [Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux](http://www.lpo.fr/) (the French BirdLife Partner) these funds will be used to work with the [Centre national de la recherche scientifique](http://www.cnrs.fr/) in France to implement the action plan. A report on the implementation of the Amsterdam Albatross Action Plan will be presented to the next meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, expected to be held in 2013. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Amsterdam/Amsterdam_Albatross_by_Scott_Shaffer.jpg) Amsterdam Albatross.  Photograph by Scott Shaffer **Reference:** France 2011.  National Plan of Actions for the Conservation of the Amsterdam Albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis*in France.  22 pp.  [AC6 Inf 06 Rev 1](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6/ac6-information-papers). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-worlds-rarest-albatross-gets-an-action-plan-with-help-from-the-city-of-amsterdam.md) ## Review of parasites, pathogens and diseases of albatrosses and petrels produced by ACAP The Albatross and Petrel Agreement has made available on-line a short paper that summarizes 33 published studies of parasites, pathogens and diseases of albatrosses and large petrels and also includes a brief description of on-going work.  The nine-page document ([BSWG4/STWG6 Doc 07](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/working-groups/doc_download/371-bswg4-stwg6-doc-07-review-of-diseases-of-acap-species)) was prepared by Dr Flavio Quintana of the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET) and Wildlife Conservation Society Argentina.  It was considered at the recent Joint Meeting of ACAP's Breeding Sites and Status & Trends Working Groups held last month in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Although they often breed on remote islands far from continents, albatrosses and large petrels are not beyond the effects of parasites or pathogens.  An infection that is widespread in a population can have major ecological consequences and has the potential to cause rapid population declines. To date, few outbreaks of infectious diseases have been reported for albatross and large petrel species.  One of the reasons for this could be the isolation, cold climate and reduced numbers of vectors present at breeding colonies. However, recent studies suggest that pathogens causing infectious diseases are present in such colonies and that on-going environmental change could facilitate their increased prevalence and risk of establishment. The Joint Working Group meeting requested that published and unpublished data on parasites, pathogens and diseases of albatrosses and petrels be sent by members of the new ACAP Population and Conservation Status Working Group (PaCSWG) to Flavio Quintana. The review will then be updated for presentation at the first meeting of the new working group at the time of the Seventh Meeting of the ACAP Advisory Committee, due to be held in 2013. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/I/Indian_Yellow_nosed/Indian_Yellow_nosed_Albatross_Prince_Edward_Island1_by_Peter_Ryan.jpg "Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses: at risk of disease on Ile Amsterdam. Photograph by Peter Ryan") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/review-of-parasites-pathogens-and-diseases-of-albatrosses-and-petrels-produced-by-acap.md) ## Monitoring ACAP species: annual South African/United Kingdom expedition leaves for Gough Island Last week South Africa's Antarctic research and supply ship, the m.v. [*S.A. Agulhas*](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_agulhas.html), sailed from Cape Town on the annual relief of the [South African weather station](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_gough/sanap_gough.html) on the UK's Gough Island, part of the Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic.  The ship is due to arrive at Gough on the 17th, via the main island of Tristan. Aboard is a combined Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and University of Cape Town team to continue conservation activities on Gough.  These include the monitoring of Atlantic Yellow-nosed *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* and Tristan *Diomedea dabbenena* Albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus*.  For each of these three ACAP-listed species colour-banded populations in study colonies are being followed. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed/Atlantic_Yellow-nosed_Albatross_Gough_Island.jpg "Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross on Gough Island") In addition, efforts will continue to eradicate the introduced plant, [Procumbent Pearlwort *Sagina procumbens*](http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/pr_pearlwort.htm) from the coastal cliffs at the weather station in Transvaal Bay. This year the nine-person expedition is being led by John Cooper in his capacity as an honorary Tristan Conservation Officer.  Two rope-access climbers will work on plant eradication and two young Tristanians will join us from Tristan to help out and gain experience.  Two French researchers employed by the RSPB will be left on the island for a year to continue data collection on selected species of seabirds and land birds. An important part of the work load during the relief period will be conducting the annual island-wide census of Tristan Albatross chicks.  Once more it is expected that too few will be found to sustain the global population, following the now all-to-familiar predation of downy chicks of this [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) species during successive winters by the island's alien "killer" House Mice *Mus musculus.* On our way to Gough, Peter Ryan ([FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town) and two colleagues will be dropped off at Inaccessible Island in the Tristan group for three weeks to conduct research on the island's buntings.  It is expected that they will also be able to check whether the single pair of Tristan Albatrosses on the rodent-free island has hatched its egg and if so, that the chick has survived the winter ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross-still-breeds-on-inaccessible-island) for an earlier story). This will be last year the *S.A. Agulhas* will visit Tristan and Gough.  Next year, its replacement now being built in Finland, the *S.A. Agulhas II*, will replace her on the run. Gough and Inaccessible Islands and their territorial waters are nature reserves and Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance, and together form a single [World Heritage Site](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740). Conservation research on birds and management activities on Gough are funded by the UK's [Overseas Territories Environment Programme](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/) via the [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds](http://www.rspb.org.uk/) and are conducted with the support and approval of the Tristan Conservation Department. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/monitoring-acap-species-annual-south-africanunited-kingdom-expedition-leaves-for-gough-island.md) ## Albatrosses and petrels are depicted on postage stamps from around the World Normal 0 false false false EN-ZA X-NONE X-NONE Postage stamps are a form of miniature art.  It must be difficult to get the many details necesssary onto such tiny pieces of paper ("no bigger than a postage stamp...) so animals on stamps have to be carefully drawn to allow for their proper identification. There are many themes to follow for avid stamp collectors.  Collecting stamps of birds comes under "biophilately" and seems to be pretty popular.  One person I've Googled is attempting to collect stamps (from anywhere in the World) that depict a species of bird on the South African national list.  He's well over half way to his goal. ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels get depicted on postage stamps quite regularly but I have not yet heard of anyone trying to emulate the South African bird stamp collector and collect a stamp for each of the currently 29 listed species.  So I have tried to do so myself, although I've restricted my actual collecting to searching on-line for electronic images, mainly at Kjell Scharning's "Theme Birds on Stamps" site at [http://www.birdtheme.org/](http://www.birdtheme.org/). Here's my incomplete list by species (so far 23 of the 29 ACAP-listed species found, for some adjusted to reflect current taxonomy) by country/territory, with to me many surprising stamps depicting birds that if seen within the issuing country would be far outside their normal ranges, such as a Laysan Albatross in the waters of Tanzania, and a Short-tailed Albatross in land-locked Lesotho.  So it's no use working out at-sea distributions from your letters! ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Bullers/bullers_albatross_postage_stamp.jpg) Well out of its normal range? A Buller's Albatross on a Moçambique postage stamp **Wandering Albatross** *Diomedea exulans*: Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Comoros, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)*, South Africa; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur)*; Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Southern Royal Albatross** *Diomedea epomophora*: Aitutaki Cook Islands, Moçambique, New Zealand, St Kitts Northern Royal Albatross *Diomedea sanfordi*:  Republic of Guinea **Tristan Albatross** *Diomedea dabbenena*: Tristan da Cunha **Amsterdam Albatross** *Diomedea amsterdamensis*:  Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Black-footed Albatross** *Phoebastria nigripes*:  Grenada, USA **Laysan Albatross** *Phoebastria immutabilis*:  The Gambia, Tanzania **Short-tailed Albatross** *Phoebastria albatrus*: The Gambia, Korea, Lesotho, Japan, Tanzania **Waved Albatross** *Phoebastria irrorata*: Cambodia, Chad, Montserrat, USA **Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross***Thalassarche chlororhynchos*: Tristan da Cunha **Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross** *Thalassarche carteri*: Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Shy Albatross** *Thalassarche cauta*: Comoros, Namibia, Samoa, Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Grey-headed Albatross** *Thalassarche chrysostoma*: Australian Antarctic Territory, Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Black-browed Albatross** *Thalassarche melanophris*:  Aitutaki Cook Islands, Argentina, Christmas Island, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)*, Ross Dependency (New Zealand), Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Buller's Albatross** *Thalassarche bulleri*: Moçambique **Chatham Albatross** *Thalassarche eremita*: Guinea-Bissau, New Zealand **Sooty Albatross** *Phoebetria fusca*: Tristan da Cunha **Light-mantled Sooty Albatross** *Phoebetria palpebrata*:  Argentina, South Africa, Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Northern****Giant Petrel** *Macronectes halli*: Australian Antarctic Territory, Tristan da Cunha, Uruguay **Southern Giant Petrel** *Macronectes giganteus*: Argentina, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)*, Maldives, Ross Dependency (New Zealand; white phase), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur)*, Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France), Tristan da Cunha **White-chinned Petrel** *Procellaria aequinoctialis*:  Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas*, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur)*; Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) **Spectacled Petrel** *Procellaria conspicillata*:  Tristan da Cunha **Grey Petrel** *Procellaria cinerea*: Terres Australes et Antarctiques (France) It seems albatross stamps are more common than ones depicting ACAP-listed petrels.   I have yet to find postage stamps for the two New Zealand-endemic *Procellaria* petrels, and stamps do not yet seem to have "caught up" with some of the recent albatross taxonomic splits (for example in the *cauta* group). My personal choice of the best ACAP-species stamps: those from Tristan da Cunha. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed/atlantic_yellow-nosed_albatross_tristan_stamps.jpg) Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses: an excellent example of philatelic art *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 September 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/albatrosses-and-petrels-are-depicted-on-postage-stamps-from-around-the-world.md) ## The Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater gets a guardian The Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus* is expected to be listed within the Albatross and Petrel Agreement next year, the first shearwater to be so included ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/shearwaters-a-new-working-group-and-a-meeting-in-peru-next-year-the-acap-advisory-committee-closes-a-successful-meeting-in-guayaquil-ecuador)).  This [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) Mediterranean endemic now has a "[Species Guardian](http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/guardians.html)" to help improve its conservation status. Sociedad Española de Ornitología ([SEO](http://www.seo.org/)) and Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves ([SPEA](http://www.spea.pt/pt/)),[BirdLife International](http://www.birdlife.org/) partners in Portugal and Spain, respectively, have taken up the task as set out in the December 2010 on-line issue of the [*Species Guardian Action Update*](http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/pdfs/Balearic_Shearwater_Guardian_Action_Update.pdf) for the bird. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg) Balearic Shearwater at its Spanish breeding site Photograph by Daniel Oro The update describes five conservation actions being undertaken as summarized here: 1.      Wintering and passage distribution is being monitored via aerial and oceanographic surveys, revealing hotspots. 2.      One thousand copies of a best-practice guide for fishers, with information on bycatch and seabirds, have been produced 3.      Coordinated efforts to estimate the global population size are underway. 4.      Research is underway on mortality in longline fisheries. 5.      The first inventory of marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Portugal was published in 2008, identifying important areas for Balearic Shearwaters ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/10/spea_marine.html) to access the publication). [Click here](http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/pdfs/Species_Guardians_factsheet_Feb09.pdf) to read the BirdLife Species Guardians Information Factsheet. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-critically-endangered-balearic-shearwater-gets-a-guardian.md) ## UPDATED: Sexual dimorphism and band wear in the northernmost population of Southern Giant Petrels With the support of a Captain Simpson Scholarship from the [Royal Naval Birdwatching Society](http://www.rnbws.org.uk/) I commenced a demographic study of Southern Giant Petrels on Gough Island in the South Atlantic, the species' most northerly breeding population in 2010 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/demographic-study-of-southern-giant-petrel-commences-on-gough-island)).  As part of the study, measurements were taken from paired incubating birds in an endeavour to sex them, the results of which have now bwen published in the Society's annual report *Sea Swallow*. The paper's abstract follows: Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* of Gough Island show marked sexual dimorphism in bill measurements with no overlap in culmen.  Recaptured incubating birds assigned as males showed considerable wear to their metal bands within seven years whereas bands worn by assigned females showed no discernible wear over the same time period.  This is thought due to the more terrestrial foraging behaviour of males as against the more at-sea foraging behaviour of females.  Eight birds colour-banded at Gough were seen at sea off Tristan da Cunha, *c.* 400 km away, while still breeding. **Reference:** Cooper, J. & Parker, G.C. 2011.  Observations of sexual dimorphism among the Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* of Gough Island.  *Sea Swallow* 60: 84-90. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_chick_Gough_Michelle_Steenkamp.JPG) Banding a Southern Giant Petrel chick on Gough Island Photograph by Michelle Steenkamp *John Cooper, A**CAP Information Officer, 18 September 2011, updated 12 December 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/sexual-dimorphism-and-band-wear-in-the-northernmost-population-of-southern-giant-petrels.md) ## Raising islands: what will sea level rise do to the albatrosses of the North Pacific? Researchers categorizing the most significant threats to the USA's Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the North Pacific consider sea level rise to be the most serious.  This is because most of the islands of the north-western end of the Hawaiian Archipelago are low-lying sand and coral atolls.  The atolls are home to large populations of breeding seabirds, including ACAP-listed Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis* Albatrosses. The research team associated with the [Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology](http://www.hawaii.edu/himb/nwhi/) talked to 25 experts about the various threats, and ranked them using an index of ‘ecological vulnerability' that accounted for five ways a human activity can adversely impact a coral reef: the area and frequency of impact, the number of species impacted, the biomass lost and the recovery time following the impact.  The top four threats were sea level rise, sea temperature rise, marine debris and alien species.  Also listed as threats were pelagic long-lining and net fishing.  All these threats have the potential to deleteriously affect seabirds, including albatrosses. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are managed as the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument and were this year made a World Heritage Site (search for earlier stories on this web site). [Click here](http://raisingislands.blogspot.com/2011/09/rising-seas-top-threat-to-northwestern.html) to read more about the research. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_colony.jpg "Laysan Albatrosses breeding close to sea level") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/raising-islands-what-will-sea-level-rise-do-to-the-albatrosses-of-the-north-pacific.md) ## UPDATED: Tristan Albatrosses on Gough are still breeding poorly Every year Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* chicks on Gough Island are attacked and killed by introduced House Mice *Mus musculus* during winter months when in their early downy stage.  As a consequence, breeding success is too low to support the survival of this [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) species. The 2011 breeding season is proving to be no different.  Only 90 chicks have survived winter in the three long-term demographic study sites on Gough to be banded this month, out of 209 eggs laid.  Great albatrosses of the genus *Diomedea* would be expected to breed at a success of the order of 70-75%, so the 43% breeding success on Gough this year confirms that an attempt to eradicate the alien mice in the near future must remain a high priority. A total-island count in September revealed only 353 chicks, down on last year's count of 406 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/the-qkiller-miceq-strike-again-tristan-albatrosses-on-gough-have-yet-another-very-poor-breeding-year)), and the second lowest since counts commenced, confirming poor breeding again over the whole island. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_albatross_pair_inaccessible_lourens_malan.jpg "Tristan Albatrosses. Photograph by Lourens Malan") Research on ACAP-listed species on Gough Island is conducted jointly by the [FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town and the [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds](http://www.rspb.org.uk/) in the UK, with support from the UK's [Overseas Territories Environment Programme](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/) and with the approval of the Tristan Conservation Department. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 September 2011, updated 30 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/tristan-albatrosses-on-gough-are-still-breeding-poorly.md) ## UPDATED: Tristan Albatross caught by a longliner off Durban, South Africa represents an at-sea range extension Unfortunately, H89 has died.  Its body is to be brought to Cape Town for autopsy. ******************* Tshikana Rasehlomi, BirdLife  International Albatross Task Force Instructor, reports via satellite ‘phone from a South African tuna longline vessel 100 nautical miles east of Durban, South Africa in the Indian Ocean of hauling aboard today a "very unhappy" Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*. The bird had swallowed a hook and was soaked and completely exhausted when retrieved.  The hook has been successfully removed but the bird is not looking strong, so it has been placed in a warm, dark place to allow it to recover. The bird was identified as a Tristan Albatross by it being banded as Yellow H89/J-14156.  It was metal-banded as a chick in the Tafelkop study colony on Gough Island in the South Atlantic on 29 October 2000.  It was next recorded as a "loafer" (non-breeding visitor) in the Gonydale study colony about a kilometre away in April 2004 and again in 2008.  It was then recorded breeding (probably for the first time) in January 2010 when the colour band was added and when it was photographed and identified as a male.  Its chick had died by 12 July 2010, most likely after been attacked by alien mice.  It has not been recorded breeding this current (2011) season so it has been taking a year off far away from home. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/tristan_albatross_h89_kalinka_rexer-huber_2.jpg) Tristan Albatross Yellow H89/J-14156 incubating in Gonydale, Gough Island in January 2010 Photograph by Kalinka Rexer-Huber Of particular interest is that recoveries and at-sea tracking show that Tristan Albatrosses rarely leave the South Atlantic Ocean, although a few do reach Western Australia.  There is a 1959 recovery from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, but this capture represents a notable range extension for the species northwards in the Indian Ocean. Research on ACAP-listed species on Gough Island is conducted jointly by the FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK, with support from the UK's Overseas Territories Environment Programme and with the approval of the Tristan Conservation Department. With thanks to Ross Wanless for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/tristan-albatross-caught-by-a-longliner-off-durban-south-africa-is-an-at-sea-range-extension.md) ## Identifying Areas of Ecological Significance on the Kerguelen Plateau using information from Black-browed Albatrosses (and other top predators) Mark Hindell ([School of Zoology, University of Tasmania](http://fcms.its.utas.edu.au/scieng/zoo/)) and colleagues have published on Areas of Ecological Significance on the Kerguelen Plateau using at-sea data from Black-browed Albatrosses. Their paper's abstract follows: "Avian and mammalian predators play a key role in the Kerguelen Plateau ecosystem, both with respect to structuring the marine community and its response to anthropogenic influences, such as climate change and commercial fisheries.  A powerful way to determine regions of particular ecological importance is to identify Areas of Ecological Significance (AES): regions that are utilized by multiple predator species.  Such concentrations of foraging activity are indicative of enhanced primary and/or secondary productivity.  These are regions that require specialised management efforts, and which are of considerable importance in the development of ecological models and climate monitoring systems.  This study integrates tracking and diving data from a suite of predator species collected as part of both the French and Australian Antarctic programs at Kerguelen Islands and Heard Island respectively. Tracking and/or dive data for Macaroni and King penguins, southern Elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals and Black-browed albatross were analysed.  The estimated path for each animal was derived using state-space models, which also allocated each location to either "transit" or "search" behavioural modes.  For diving species, dive depth data were temporally allocated along the path, providing information on three-dimensional habitat use.  Areas of Ecological Significance for each species and for the combined suite of predators were identified using Kernel Density analysis.  The role of bathymetry, ocean circulation and other environmental factors underlying the AES were established using deterministic models, which can be used to predict predator foraging habitats across the entire plateau." **Reference:** Hindell, M.A., Bost, C.A., Charrassin, J.B., Gales, N., Lea, M.A., Goldsworthy, S., Page, B., Robertson, G., Wienecke, W., O'Toole, M. & Guinet, C. 2011. Foraging habitats of top predators, and areas of ecological significance, on the Kerguelen Plateau.  In:Duhamel, G. & Welsford, D. (Eds). *The Kerguelen Plateau: Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries*.  [*Société d'Ichtyologie* 2011: 203-215](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/publipdf/2011/HSI_2011.pdf). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/Black_Browed_Albatross_by_Luke_Finley.jpg) Juvenile Black-browed Albatross at sea [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/first-international-science-symposium-on-the-kerguelen-plateau-to-be-held-in-france) for an earlier related news story. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/identifying-areas-of-ecological-significance-on-the-kerguelen-plateau-using-information-form-black-browed-albatrosses-and-other-top-predators.md) ## Support for the eradication of the alien House Mouse on Gough Island? Largest island for a successful eradication of mice increases to 3800 hectares New Zealand's [Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) announced last month that the linked islands of [Motutapu](http://www.motutapu.org.nz/) and [Rangitoto](http://www.rangitoto.org/) in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland are now considered clear of nine alien mammal species, including the House Mouse *Mus musculus*, following a protracted campaign ([click here](http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/news/media-releases/motutapu-and-rangitoto-declared-pest-free/)). With a combined area of 3800 ha, the two islands are now the single largest locality from which mice have been successfully eradicated.  Previously the record was held by New Zealand's [Enderby Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enderby_Island) of only 700 ha in the Auckland Island Group. With the possibility that mice have been eradicated this year on Australia's 12 800-ha Macquarie Island ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/less-than-30-introduced-rabbits-thought-to-be-left-on-australias-sub-antarctic-macquarie-island)), the way seems to be opening for an attempt on the mice on 6 800-ha [Gough Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gough_Island) in the South Atlantic. A successful eradication on Gough will do much to help save the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*, whose chicks the mice attack and kill during winter, as regularly reported on this web site.  [Click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/goughisland_tcm9-220539.pdf) to access the feasibility study for the eradication of Gough's mice. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_by_Ross_Wanless_and_Andrea_Angel.jpg) Tristan Albatross and chick on Gough Island Photograph by Andrea Angel/Ross Wanless *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/support-for-the-eradication-of-the-alien-house-mouse-on-gough-island-largest-island-for-a-successful-eradication-of-mice-increases-to-3800-hectares.md) ## Charles Baudelaire and L'Albatros: a compassionate French poem in the service of conservation The Albatross and Petrel Agreement has three official languages: English, French and Spanish.  Increasing awareness of the Agreement among the general public requires communicating in all three of these languages.  An occasional series of stories being published in *ACAP Latest News* covers the usage of albatrosses and petrels in art and literature in the ACAP languages in an endeavour to reach a wider audience. [Pierre Charles Baudelaire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Baudelaire) (9 April 1821 - 31 August 1867) was a French poet whose most famous work *Les Fleurs du mal* (The Flowers of Evil), first published in 1857, "expresses the changing nature of beauty in industrializing Paris during the 19th century." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/charles_baudelaire.jpg) Charles Baudelaire: 1821-1867 "Known for his highly controversial and often dark poetry, Baudelaire's life was filled with drama and strife, from financial disaster to being prosecuted for obscenity and blasphemy.  Long after his death many look upon his name as representing depravity and vice: others see him as being the poet of modern civilization, seeming to speak directly to the 20th century". In 1841 his stepfather sent him on a voyage to Calcutta, India "in the hope of ending his dissolute habits".  The voyage took him around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa (where his ship, the *Paquebot des Mers du Sud* was damaged in a storm) when he would surely have seen albatrosses at sea.  He left the ship in Mauritius and then returned to France:  "the trip provided strong impressions of the sea, sailing, and exotic ports, that he later employed in his poetry" ([click here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Baudelaire)). Baudelaire's poem *L'Albatros* appeared in the first edition of *Les Fleurs du mal*and tells of the plight of an albatross caught and brought aboard a ship, comparing it to the poet "stranded on the earth".  It has been reported that this poem was based on personal experience and his concern for the bird during his journey to and from Mauritius and Reunion in 1841. ***L'Albatros*** Souvent, pour s'amuser, les hommes d'équipage Prennent des albatros, vastes oiseaux des mers, Qui suivent, indolents compagnons de voyage, Le navire glissant sur les gouffres amers. À peine les ont-ils déposés sur les planches, Que ces rois de l'azur, maladroits et honteux, Laissent piteusement leurs grandes ailes blanches Comme des avirons traîner à côté d'eux. Ce voyageur ailé, comme il est gauche et veule! Lui, naguère si beau, qu'il est comique et laid! L'un agace son bec avec un brûle-gueule, L'autre mime, en boitant, l'infirme qui volait! Le Poète est semblable au prince des nuées Qui hante la tempête et se rit de l'archer; Exilé sur le sol au milieu des huées, Ses ailes de géant l'empêchent de marcher. **The Albatross** Sometimes for sport the men of loafing crews Snare the great albatrosses of the deep, The indolent companions of their cruise As through the bitter vastitudes they sweep. Scarce have they fished aboard these airy kings When helpless on such unaccustomed floors, They piteously droop their huge white wings And trail them at their sides like drifting oars. How comical, how ugly, and how meek Appears this soarer of celestial snows! One, with his pipe, teases the golden beak, One, limping, mocks the cripple as he goes. The Poet, like this monarch of the clouds, Despising archers, rides the storm elate. But, stranded on the earth to jeering crowds, The great wings of the giant baulk his gait. Translation by Roy Campbell ([click here](http://fleursdumal.org/poem/200)). [Click here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxOXKvEkn1s) to view a video clip of an animated Baudelaire reciting his poem. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/pablo-neruda-and-eduardo-langagne-two-south-american-poets-who-have-written-movingly-of-albatrosses) to read a poem on an albatross with a similar theme by the Mexican poet [Eduard Langagne](http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Langagne). With thanks to Karen Bourgeois for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/charles-baudelaire-and-lalbatros-a-compassionate-french-poem-in-the-service-of-conservation.md) ## Newell's Shearwater gets needed protection from the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative ([KIUC](http://www.kiuc.coop/)) on the USA's Hawaiian island of [Kaua‘i](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kauai) has secured an Endangered Species Act ([ESA](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act)) incidental take permit for [Newell's Shearwater](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newell%27s_Shearwater) *Puffinus newelli.* The utility will now be implementing measures that include removing selected overhead power lines that kill fledglings at night by collisions. "Nearly all of the world's Newell's Shearwaters (also known by the Hawaiian name ‘a‘o) nest on Kaua‘i.  From 1993 to 2008, the Kaua‘i population of Newell's Shearwaters declined by 75 percent, in large part due to birds striking power lines and becoming disoriented from the utility's streetlights while flying at night." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/newells_shearwater_sep_2011_eric_vanderwerf.jpg) Newell's Shearwater at sea Photograph by Eric Vanderwerf KIUC's ESA permit also requires it to contribute nearly US$400 000 a year to protect shearwater colonies on Kaua‘i's north shore from non-native predators such as rats, cats and owls. For more news on this development from the American Bird Conservancy [click here](http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/110926.html). For an earlier news story on this web site on the [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3939) Newell's Shearwater [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/over-lighting-up-the-place-hawaiis-newells-shearwaters-are-at-risk-when-fledging-and-from-feral-cats).  View a [video clip](http://www.kauai-seabirdhcp.info/news/index.html) of a fledgling being released following a native Hawaiian blessing. See also the [*Save our Shearwaters*](http://www.kauaihumane.org/services/saveourshearwaters) web site. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/newells-shearwater-gets-needed-protection-from-the-kauai-island-utility-cooperative.md) ## Still no rats seen after the poison bait drop on South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur The latest issue of the *Newsletter of the South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project** ([No. 8 of September 2011](http://www.sght.org/sites/default/files/HR%20Newsletter%20September%202011%20Final.pdf)) reports further good news of the lack of signs of rats after this year's poison-bait drop over part of the island:  "...what we do know is that no rats or rat tracks have yet been seen, even though snow has been on the ground for several weeks, so the omens are looking increasingly good." The newsletter also reports on report production and fund-raising (and a plan for a third helicopter) for Phase Two of the restoration project, as well as on eradication efforts conducted this year at several other seabird islands around the World.  Non-target mortality of birds during Phase One is to be assessed to see what lessons can be learnt for Phase Two. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_prion_island_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) Wandring Albatross on Prion Island with South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur in the background Photograph by Sally Poncet *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 September 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the Unite ad Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/still-no-rats-seen-after-the-poison-bait-drop-on-south-georgiaislas-georgias-del-sur.md) ## Satellite transmitters do not adversely affect the demographic traits of Wandering Albatrosses Christophe Barbraud and Henri Weimerskirch of the Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé ([CEBC](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr)), writing on-line in the [*Journal of Ornithology*](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336), have looked at whether tracking devices can cause problems to Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans*. The paper's abstract follows: "Satellite transmitters and other tracking devices are valuable tools for furthering our understanding of bird movements, and their use has been steadily increasing.  Since the necessary handling of birds to deploy transmitters can have deleterious consequences and the transmitter itself can add substantial mass, particularly to small species, or bring discomfort to the individual birds to which they are attached, it is important to quantify the effect such devices on both the behavior and the fitness of equipped animals.  Very few studies have focused on the demographic effects of equipping birds with a satellite transmitter, with the vast majority of such studies focusing on short-term behavioral effects.  We have assessed the demographic effects of attaching a satellite transmitter to the back of adult breeding Wandering Albatross individuals using long-term demographic data (20 years) and recent developments in capture-recapture methodology.  We found no evidence of any negative effects of the attached devices on the probability of survival, breeding, or breeding successfully in the current or following season in either males or females.  We conclude that the current satellite transmitters and smaller devices used by researchers are valuable conservation and research tools that do not adversely affect the demographic traits of large albatrosses.  Similar tests should be carried out on smaller species, which are more likely to be affected." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_Rehab3.jpg) Juvenile Wandering Albatross at sea **Reference:** Barbraud, C. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011.  Assessing the effect of satellite transmitters on the demography of the Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans.  Journal of Ornithology* [DOI: 10.1007/s10336-011-0752-8](http://www.springerlink.com/content/023lm4u73764u355/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 September 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/satellite-transmitters-do-not-adversely-affect-the-demographic-traits-of-wandering-albatrosses.md) ## Four species of albatrosses are at risk to tuna fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean Geoff Tuck ([CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research](http://www.csiro.au/org/AboutCMAR.html), Hobart, Australia) and colleagues have analysed the deleterious effects of tuna fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean on the populations of four albatross species, publishing their findings in open access in the *[ICES Journal of Marine Science](http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/)*last month. The paper's abstract follows: "Currently, 17 of 22 albatross species are listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Incidental mortality in fisheries is by far the most widespread cause of the population declines observed for these and other closely related species.  In 2006, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) requested an assessment of the threat from their fisheries to all seabirds that breed or forage within their jurisdiction.  Methods were developed to assess the potential consequences of fishing for more than 60 populations of seabird.  The assessment framework involved the identification of at-risk populations, overlap analyses, estimation of total bycatch, and an evaluation of the impact of the bycatch on key selected populations for which there were sufficient data on bird distribution and demography.  These were the wandering and black-browed albatrosses of South Georgia, and the Atlantic yellow-nosed and Tristan albatrosses of Gough Island.  Summary results from the seabird assessment are presented, revealing that ICCAT longline fisheries catch substantial numbers of seabirds, with potentially significant conservation implications.  If this mortality is not reduced, the numbers of breeding birds in some populations will continue to decline, threatening their long-term viability." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed_Albatross_by_Ross_Wanless_and_ Andrea_Angel.jpg) Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross: at risk to tuna longliners **Reference:** Tuck, G.N., Phillips, R.A., Small, C., Thomson, R.B., Klaer, N.L., Taylor, F., Wanless, R.M. & Arrizabalaga, H. 2011.  An assessment of seabird-fishery interactions in the Atlantic Ocean.  [*ICES Journal of Marine Science* 68: 1628-1637](http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/68/8/1628.short). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/four-species-of-albatrosses-are-at-risk-to-tuna-fisheries-in-the-atlantic-ocean.md) ## The Bycatch Mitigation Information System could help save albatrosses and petrels from fisheries-induced mortality. From its web site: "The Bycatch Mitigation Information System ([BMIS](http://bmis.wcpfc.int/index.php)) is a resource for fisheries managers, scientists, fishers and the general public.  It is provided by the [Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission](http://www.wcpfc.int/) (WCPFC), as a central repository of information on the mitigation and management of bycatch in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). In the context of the BMIS, "bycatch" mainly refers to those species of special interest, such as seabirds, sharks and marine turtles that are incidentally caught in WCPO fisheries targeting highly migratory species, including tuna and billfish.  Much of the information in the BMIS is relevant to bycatch mitigation in similar oceanic fisheries around the world. Guided by the WCPFC Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs), fisheries in the WCPFC Convention Area are required to "...minimise...catch of non-target species, both fish and non-fish species...and promote the development and use of selective, environmentally safe and cost-effective fishing gear and techniques" and to "protect biodiversity in the marine environment". The purpose of publishing the BMIS on the WCPFC website is so that its content may be easily shared among WCPFC Cooperating Commission Members, cooperating non-members and participating territories (collectively known as CCMs), and other stakeholders.  This content will be continually updated. Note that the inclusion of any particular reference on bycatch mitigation methods and management decisions does not imply endorsement by the WCPFC except where specifically noted, e.g. under "Decisions" and in the technical specifications for WCPFC Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs)." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) There are several sections to the BMIS.  These include: references (scientific and technical literature); technical mitigation methods; decisions by WCPFC and other management bodies; and a list of target and bycatch species. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 October 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-bycatch-mitigation-information-system-could-help-save-albatrosses-and-petrels-from-fisheries-induced-mortality.md) ## Two hundred (and one) links achieved! From today there are now 201 links to web sites of environmental bodies and institutions (in the broad sense) on the ACAP web site.  This is double the number achieved by February 2009 - two years ago ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/one-hundred-links-achieved)). The links have been divided into [13 categories](https://www.acap.aq/links), currently with from three to 40 web sites listed in each, along with brief descriptions of their roles/activities. It seems that the listed links on the ACAP web site do offer a useful service, with many of them having been opened over a hundred times, and in total listed links have been visited some thousands of times. The highest number of ‘hits' is for *[Notornis](http://www.notornis.org.nz/)*, a peer-reviewed journal publishing ornithological research relevant to New Zealand/Aotearoa and the South Pacific at 385.  The second-highest at 332 is for [SEAPRE](http://www.seapre.uaf.edu/) (Seabird Islands and Introduced Predators), a research coordination network whose purpose is to bring scientists from around the world together to understand the importance of seabirds and introduced predators for island function and conservation. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/pyramid_chathams_by_david_thompson.jpg "New Zealand's Pyramid: home of the Chatham Albatross. Photograph by David Thompson") Suggestions of new links are always welcomed, as is the reciprocal listing of the ACAP web site. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/two-hundred-and-one-links-achieved.md) ## Getting rid of island rats: poison-bait dropping in the South Atlantic has started this month The latest [edition](http://www.sght.org/sites/default/files/HR%20NewsletterMarch11.pdf)(actually the fifth, although labelled No. 4) of the newsletter of the South Georgia* Habitat Restoration Project reports that the aerial broadcasting of poison baits to rid the South Atlantic island of introduced Norway or Brown Rats *Rattus norvegicus*commenced on 1 March. Operating out of King Edward Point and Grytviken on the island's eastern coast the first load of poison bait was dropped on the Greene Peninsula and is planned to be the first of many hundreds over the next five years over a total area of 80 000 ha.  During the rest of Phase One of the project in 2011 bait will also be dropped on the Thatcher Peninsula, Mercer Bay and Saddle Island.  Fund-raising for Phase Two is now underway. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_prion_island_anton_wolfaardt.jpg "A Wandering Albatross on Prion Island, South Georgia*. Photograph by Anton Wolfaardt") [Click here](http://www.sght.org/) to access the project's web site and to read the earlier four editions of its [newsletter](http://www.sght.org/news-and-publications).  Up-to-date information on the 2011 campaign can also be found on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Georgia-Heritage-Trust/107047869335869). To read about another ongoing eradication effort on a Southern Ocean island, visit the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 March 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/getting-rid-of-island-rats-poison-bait-dropping-in-the-south-atlantic-has-started-this-month.md) ## Spectacled Petrel numbers continue to increase on pig-free Inaccessible Island [Peter Ryan](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/peter.html) ([FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/index.html), University of Cape Town, South Africa) and [Rob Ronconi](http://leonardlab.biology.dal.ca/Ron.html) ([Department of Biology](http://biology.dal.ca/), Dalhousie University, Canada ) write on-line in the journal *[Antarctic Science](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=ans)* of the latest survey of the numbers of breeding Spectacled Petrels *Procellaria conspicillata*, an-ACAP listed and [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30027) species endemic to the South Atlantic island of [Inaccessible](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/740) (a World Heritage Site) in the Tristan da Cunha Group. The paper's abstract follows: "Until recently, the spectacled petrel *Procellaria conspicillata* Gould was listed as Critically Endangered due to its small population size and ongoing incidental mortality on fishing gear.  Surveys at its sole breeding locality, Inaccessible Island in the central South Atlantic Ocean, indicated that the population increased from 1999-2004, resulting in the species being down-listed to Vulnerable.  We repeated the census of breeding spectacled petrels during the early incubation period in October-November 2009.  Numbers of burrows increased by 55% from 2004-09, with increases in all count zones, and the greatest changes in peripheral populations.  Burrow occupancy estimates remained high, averaging 81% during one-off checks.  Our best estimate of the population in 2009 was 14 400 pairs, continuing the *c*. 7% per year increase inferred since the 1930s following the disappearance of introduced pigs.  This confirms the rapid recovery of this species despite ongoing mortality on fishing gear.  Our results suggest that at least some procellariiforms are able to sustain strong growth rates in the face of fishing mortality when colony based threats are removed." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Spectacled/spectacled_petrel_inaccessible_island_by_peter_ryan.jpg "Spectacled Petrel calls on Inaccessible Island. Photograph by Peter Ryan") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/how-many-white-chinned-and-spectacled-petrels-are-out-there-q30-000-holes-on-marion-islandq) for an earlier ACAP news item on the Spectacled Petrel. **Reference:** Ryan, P.G. & Ronconi, R. 2011.  Continued increase in numbers of spectacled petrels *Procellaria conspicillata.  Antarctic Science*[DOI: 10.1017/S0954102011000071](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8130376&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0954102011000071). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/spectacled-petrel-numbers-continue-to-increase-on-pig-free-inaccessible-island.md) ## A New Zealand Northern Giant Petrel gets hooked A Northern Giant Petrel *Macronectes halli*, identified by its reddish bill tip, has been photographed recently at sea off Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand with a longline hook and a length of line through its lower mandible ([click here](http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/albatross/ocean_news/) to view the photograph).  The bird is reported as looking in good health. Giant petrels of both species are perhaps less known to fall victim to longlining than are albatrosses and some of the *Procellaria* petrels. To read about a colour-banded Gibson's Antipodean Albatrosses *Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni* caught off Kaikoura that was entangled with fishing line and then successfully released [click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/an-often-seen-colour-banded-antipodean-albatross-gets-a-second-chance-after-being-entangled-in-fishing-line).  More pictures of this albatross may be found at [http://albatrossencounter.blogspot.com/](http://albatrossencounter.blogspot.com/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/N/Northern_Giant/Northern_Giant_Petrel_by_Marienne_de_Villiers.jpg "Northern Giant Petrel on Marion Island. Photograph by Marienne de Villiers") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for the Northern Giant Petrel. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-new-zealand-northern-giant-petrel-gets-hooked.md) ## "Cheeky and generally gentle": how to rehabilitate giant petrels While searching on-line for new publications on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels I came across an older one on rehabilitating giant petrels Macronectes spp. by Marg Healy of Australia's [Phillip Island Nature Park](http://www.penguins.org.au/) that was presented at the [National Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference](http://www.awrc.org.au/fremantle-2007.html) held in Fremantle, Western Australia in 2007.  Thinking it is most probably little known (at least I have never come across it previously or seen it cited anywhere) I am for once breaking my usual practice of reporting only on recently-published papers on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. The paper's abstract follows: "There are two species of Giant-petrels - Northern Macronectes halli (listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999) and Southern Macronectes giganteus (listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999). They are extremely similar and the majority of birds that come into care are fledged juveniles. Their plumage is similar when young, so the best way to identify the species is the colour of the tip of the bill. It is important to identify the species in care as their needs and preferences are different." And another quote from the paper: "Anyone who has rehabilitated a Giant-petrel will tell you what amazing birds they are and they quickly become a favourite.  They are cheeky and generally gentle and tend to be well-behaved and have a strong instinct for survival." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_Gough_Ross_Cowlin.JPG "Southern Giant Petrel on Gough Island. Photograph by Ross Cowlin") [Click here](http://www.awrc.org.au/uploads/5/8/6/6/5866843/seabirdrescueintensivecare_-_libby_hall.pdf) for another paper on techniques for rehabilitating seabirds, including procellariiforms that was presented at the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference held in 2008. **Reference:** Healy, M. 2007.  Care of giant-petrels from rehabilitation to release.  *[National Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference Proceedings 2007, Fremantle, Australia](http://www.awrc.org.au/uploads/5/8/6/6/5866843/healy_marg_giant_petrels.pdf). *4 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/qcheeky-and-generally-gentleq-how-to-rehabilitate-giant-petrels.md) ## Black-footed Albatrosses are making more frequent appearances ashore in the South-eastern Hawaiian Islands There is increasing concern over the conservation status of the Black-footed Albatross *Phoebastria nigripes,* of which 95% of the global population breeds in the USA's North-western Hawaiian Islands.  The World Conservation Union lists the species as [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3957) and the species is currently a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act in the United States ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/petition-to-list-the-black-footed-albatross-as-threatened-or-endangered-under-the-us-endangered-species-act)).  Despite uncertain population trends, individuals have increasingly been documented prospecting breeding colonies in the main (South-eastern and inhabited) Hawaiian Islands. Black-footed Albatrosses have been reported breeding in very small numbers on Lehua Islet, 30 km north of Kauai since at least the 1930s when the first surveys were conducted on the island.  There are also recent, but unconfirmed reports of similarly small breeding colonies on nearby Niihau and on Kaula Rock.  However, breeding has not been historically documented on either of the larger islands of Kauai or Oahu despite their growing breeding populations of Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis*. Black-footed Albatrosses are regularly observed at sea from the shores of Kauai and Oahu, but few records exist of them on land.  On Kauai, Black-foots have been documented landing briefly one or two times at the [Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=12530) and at the [Pacific Missile Range Facility](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Missile_Range_Facility) where colonies of Laysan Albatrosses are present, with the most recent confirmed sighting being from 2009. This year a single Black-footed Albatross has been landing regularly in the [Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/oahu/kaenapoint) on Oahu.  Sightings of Black-footed Albatrosses on the ground at Ka'ena Point were documented in 2005, 2006 and 2007, but it was not until 23 February this year that another sighting was made.  From 23 February what is thought to be the same individual has been sighted almost daily at Ka'ena Point, often displaying and roosting amongst the resident Laysan Albatrosses. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-footed_albatross_kaena_point_lindsay_young.jpg "A Black-footed Albatross visits Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") Ka'ena Point in particular should be a suitable site for Black-footed Albatrosses to commence breeding as it will soon be predator free following the construction of a fence that is expected to be completed later this month ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-kaena-point-laysan-albatrosses-are-doing-well-as-their-predator-fence-approaches-completion)). For further information on the earlier records of Black-footed Albatrosses ashore on the South-eastern Hawaiian Islands [click here](http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/birds/rlp-monograph/pdfs/02-Galliformes-Procellariiformes/BFAL.pdf). [Click here](http://www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/Albatross%20Action%20Plan%20ver.1.0.pdf) for the 2007 Action Plan for Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses and [here](http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5131/) to access the 1923-2005 Status Assessment document for the same two species published in 2009. *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent and John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/black-footed-albatrosses-are-making-more-frequent-appearances-ashore-in-the-south-eastern-hawaiian-islands.md) ## The Peruvian Association for the Conservation of Nature makes a video on the Waved Albatross (and other seabirds) affected by fishing in Peruvian waters The Coastal Marine Programme of [APECO](http://www.apeco.org.pe) (Asociación Peruana para la Conservación/ Peruvian Association for the Conservation of Nature) has recently released a new multimedia video aimed at conserving seabirds and other threatened marine species which are accidentally killed by fisheries in Peruvian waters.  The goal of the new video is to alert viewers to the quantities of by-catch species captured annually, and the tools available to mitigate interactions with fishing gear. The new APECO [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7sm3G9w1k4) is entitled "Victimas accidentales de la Pesca.  Amenazados en el mar" (Accidental victims of fishing: threatened at sea).  The video has been produced in Spanish and contains valuable information on the effects of fishing on a suite of marine top predators, particularly seabirds, marine mammals and turtles. The video demonstrates the efforts conducted by the APECO Project "Incidental Capture of Albatross and Petrels" in order to reduce the mortality of the "pajarotes", especially the ACAP-listed Waved Albatross *Phoebastria* *irrorata*, and other marine wildlife in the waters off Peru. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_Albatross_flying_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "Waved Albatross at sea. Photograph by Barry Baker") Production of the video was supported by the USA's [Center for Environmental Research and Conservation](http://www.cerc.columbia.edu/). For more information, contact Liliana Ayala at APECO at [leayala@apeco.org.pe](mailto:leayala@apeco.org.pe). *Juan Pablo Seco Pon, ACAP South American News Correspondent, 08 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-peruvian-association-for-the-conservation-of-nature-makes-a-video-on-the-waved-albatross-and-other-seabirds-affected-by-fishing-in-peruvian-waters.md) ## First waltz on Mukojima: Short-tailed Albatrosses engage in courtship display at the translocation site Up to now two different Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* from the 2008 translocated cohort of 10 Torishima chicks have returned to the artificial colony on Japan's Mukojima Island ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/a-second-translocated-short-tailed-albatross-visits-mukojima-island)). The latest report to hand from Tomohiro Deguchi of the [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/toppage.html) is of two subadult birds photographed engaging in a courtship dance on Mukojima at the translocation site on 5 March.  The photographs were taken by Noboru Chikira of the [Ogasawara Whale Watching Association](http://www.h2.dion.ne.jp/~owa/english/index.html). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_dance2_noboru_chikira.jpg) **![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_dance1_noboru_chikira.jpg)** ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_dance3_noboru_chikira.jpg "Two Short-tailed Albatrosses engage in courtship display at Mukojima. Photographs by Noboru Chikira ") Because the albatrosses were only observed from a distance their colour bands were not read but the two birds are thought to be from those translocated to Mukojima from Torishima. This is the first time a STAL courtship dance has been observed at the translocation site since the start of the project.  The project team now hopes that the two birds will recruit to the translocation site as a breeding pair. Two and one subadult STALs were seen at the translocation site on 6 and 7 March, respectively, so things are looking good for the establishment of new breeding colony in time. With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi for information *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/first-waltz-on-mukojima-short-tailed-albatrosses-engage-in-courtship-display-at-the-translocation-site.md) ## Wisdom catches up with Grandma! A 60-year-old Laysan Albatross rears its chick on Midway Atoll UPDATED "Wisdom" is the name given to a Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* banded as a breeding adult while it was incubating an egg on USA's [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/) by Chandler Robbins of the [Patuxent Wildlife Research Center](http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/) in December 1956.  Robbins estimated that the bird was a minimum of five years old at the time. Wisdom (or Z333 by her red colour band) has been recently spotted brooding a chick at an estimated 60 years of age ([click here](http://cs.birdwatchingdaily.com/BRDCS/blogs/field_of_view/archive/2011/03/08/oldest-known-wild-bird-returns-to-midway-atoll-to-raise-chick.aspx) for the full story).  See also [http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2722](http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2722). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom_john_klavitter.jpg "Wisdom with her 2011 chick. Photograph by John Klavitter") The bird was also observed breeding on Midway in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/who-is-the-worlds-oldest-albatross-wisdom-is-now-catching-up-with-the-late-grandma) for a previous ACAP news item on Wisdom's 2010 breeding attempt. Wisdom has now reached the age of the fabled "Grandma", a banded Northern Royal Albatross *Diomedea sanfordi* which bred for many years at [Taiaroa Head](http://www.albatross.org.nz/index.html) on the Otago Peninsula of South Island, New Zealand ([click here](http://moxostore.com/product/Grandma-The-Oldest-Albatross-DVD.html) for information on the DVD on her life).  She reached a banded age of 51.5 years and an actual age of at least 60 years, regularly raising chicks until the year she disappeared. The ACAP Information Officer is now waiting to hear of a 64-year-old albatross hatched in 1947, as he would like to meet it to exchange life stories. With thanks to Rob Ronconi for information *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 March 2011, updated 13 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/wisdom-catches-up-with-grandma-a-60-year-old-laysan-albatross-rears-its-chick-on-midway-atoll.md) ## Counting Nellies: the Southern Giant Petrels of Marion Island Whole-island counts of breeding albatrosses and giant petrels are made annually at South Africa's [Marion Island](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_marion/sanap_marion.html), one of the Prince Edward Islands in the southern Indian Ocean.  For some species counts are made at both incubation and large-chick times, so that both trends over years and a measure of breeding success can be ascertained. The counts, carried out as part of South Africa's contribution to the work of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement, require researchers on the island to make extended field trips, walking round the whole island's coastline, staying overnight in field huts for periods of up to a week or more at a time. The results for the 2001/11 breeding season for ACAP-listed Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* are now available.  A total of 1743 occupied nests (with incubating birds) was counted in 65 individual colonies during the month of October last year.  In February this year 908 large chicks were counted, given an estimate of breeding success of 52.1% (experience has shown that by this time few large chicks die before fledging). Counts were undertaken by the all-woman team of Linda Clokie and Yolokasi Galada, with help from Mia Cerfonteyn, working for a project jointly managed by the [Percy FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town and Branch Oceans & Coasts of the South African [Department of Environmental Affairs](http://www.environment.gov.za/). Numbers of Southern Giant Petrels at Marion have been reasonably stable in recent years, following a marked drop in the second half of the 1990s from 2500-3000 pairs in the 1980s and early 1990s (Ryan *et al*. 2009). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_Gough_Island_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel. Photograph by John Cooper") Visit [http://www.oceanlight.com/log/southern-giant-petrel-macronectes-giganteus-southern-ocean.html](http://www.oceanlight.com/log/southern-giant-petrel-macronectes-giganteus-southern-ocean.html) to view recently-posted pictures of flying Southern Giant Petrels. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/marion-islands-wandering-albatrosses-2011-whole-island-count-successfully-completed) for news of the 2011 Marion Island count of ACAP-listed Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans*. **Reference:** Ryan, P.G., Jones, M.G.W., Dyer, B.M., Upfold, L. & Crawford, R.J.M. 2009.  Recent population estimates and trends in numbers of albatrosses and giant petrels breeding at the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.* [African Journal of Marine Science](http://www.nisc.co.za/oneAbstract?absId=3305)*[31: 409-417](http://www.nisc.co.za/oneAbstract?absId=3305). With thanks to Yolokasi Galada for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/counting-nellies-the-southern-giant-petrels-of-marion-island.md) ## Avoiding graveyard ornithology: historical growth patterns of Wandering Albatrosses at Macquarie and Bird Islands Being a graveyard ornithologist is to leave valuable data in notebooks unanalysed and unpublished.  In a paper recently published in the open-access journal *[Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org)* John Van Den Hoff & Steven Candy ([Australian Antarctic Division](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/)[)](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/) have taken growth-rate data collected on Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* at Macquarie Island fully half a century ago and compared it with similar temporal data from Bird Island in the South Atlantic. The paper's abstract follows: "Offspring growth measurements provide an integrated measure of parental investment (foraging effort and success) and an indicator of offspring future survivorship.  We present an average growth (mass) trajectory for Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans*chicks (n = 26) weighed at sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island during four breeding seasons between 1956 and 1962.  Specified growth parameters were estimated using a nonlinear mixed model for an extension of the Gompertz model and, as an alternative, cubic smoothing splines within a linear mixed model.  Both modelling approaches revealed that the chicks from Macquarie Island gained mass more slowly and reached a lower maximum mass than chicks weighed at Bird Island, the only other temporally aligned study for this species.  After reaching maximum mass, chicks from Bird Island lost mass faster than Macquarie Island chicks, resulting in very similar fledging masses for chicks at both islands.  One explanation for the different growth parameter estimates observed between the two islands is historical differences in productivity of foraging areas.  The data presented here for Macquarie Island provide a baseline against which future studies could compare the effects of climate change and commercial fisheries on this long-lived and charismatic seabird species." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds.jpg "Wandering Albatross and chick. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **Reference:** VAN DEN HOFF, J. & CANDY, S.G. 2010.  Historical geographic differences in growth parameters of Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans*chicks.  [*Marine Ornithology*38: 97-103](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/38_2/38_2_97-103.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/avoiding-graveyard-ornithology-historical-growth-patterns-of-wandering-albatrosses-at-macquarie-and-bird-islands.md) ## A conservation handbook published for South Africa's Prince Edward Islands The South African [Department of Environmental Affairs](http://www.environment.gov.za/) has this week released a conservation handbook for the Prince Edward Islands, a Special Nature Reserve and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in the southern Indian Ocean. The booklet was written by three long-standing members of the Prince Edward Islands Management Committee with an experience of the island group extending back more than 30 years.  It aims to give expeditioners (researchers, support staff and maintenance and construction workers alike) an appreciation for this special wilderness area, and to inform them of the various "dos and don'ts" in relation to environmental management at the islands. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/pei conservation front cover low-res1.jpg) Subjects covered in the illustrated handbook include biosecurity, avoiding littering, waste treatment and avoiding disturbing the wildlife, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. The conservation handbook has been published in time to be sent on a VIP and media voyage of South Africa's Antarctic supply vessel the *[S.A. Agulhas](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_agulhas.html)*, currently on its way to [Marion Island](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_marion/sanap_marion.html) to open the new base with much-improved facilities that has been building for the last several years.  It has been written as an easy-to-read document to complement the highly detailed new management plan for the island group that has been finalized but awaits formal adoption, expected later this year. **Reference:** de Villiers, M.S., Chown, S.L. & Cooper, J. 2011.  *Prince Edward Islands Conservation Handbook: Keeping your Footprint at the Islands Small*.  Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS.  80 pp. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_John_Cooper2.jpg "Wandering Albatross and chick on Marion Island, with Prince Edward Island on the horizon. Photograph by John Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-conservation-handbook-published-for-south-africas-prince-edward-islands.md) ## SECOND UPDATE: Hawaii's Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses suffered heavy losses in last week's tsunami **LATEST INFORMATION  AND PHOTOGRAPHS** **16 March:  For more information and photographs on the effects of the tsunami on the albatrosses of Midway Atoll [click here](http://www.petethomasoutdoors.com/) and visit Pete Leary's blog [Pete at Midway](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/). **18 March:  Visit [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157626163915401/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157626163915401/) to see post-tsunami photographs of Laysan Island posted by David Patte (USFWS).  "The entire coast experienced wash over, with the north, west and east shores experiencing 100% of coast washed over to/into vegetation line or beyond. (The south shore is estimated at 50% wash over.)"  **************** Whereas Hawaii and the rest of the Pacific were spared the loss of human life and large-scale damage that have so tragically occurred in Japan from last week's earthquake and tsunami, it appears that Hawaii's nesting albatrosses have not been so lucky. In contrast to the ‘high islands' where Japan's Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus*breed, which are relatively safe from tsunamis, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands virtually all Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses breed less than 10 m above sea level.  These islands, in particular Midway Atoll and Laysan Island (which together host 94% of the World's population of Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis* and 64% of the World's population of Black-footed Albatrosses *P. nigripes*), were the hardest hit with up to 75% of the area of several islands reportedly washed over by waves. Midway Atoll reported approximately four waves, the largest about 2 m in height.  About a quarter of the runway on Sand Island was washed over with sand and rocks and flooding occurred that was reported as much worse than from storms earlier this year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatrosses-of-midway-americas-favourite-chick-survives-a-storm)).   Estimates are that Eastern and Sand Islands were 60% and 20% washed over, respectively and that minima of 1000 adult/subadult and tens of thousands of Laysan Albatross chicks were lost.  Spit Island was completely washed over.  On Midway's Eastern Island (where the Short-tailed Albatross nest is, [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/a-real-american-chick-the-midway-short-tailed-albatrosses-hatch-their-egg)) the chick has survived, although once more it had to found (this time 35 m away) and carried back to its nest cup.  It also seems that Wisdom, the 60-year female Laysan and her chick on Sand Island ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/wisdom-catches-up-with-grandma-a-60-year-old-laysan-albatross-rears-its-chick-on-midway-atoll)) made it through the tsunami. On Laysan Island, waves washed out much of the camp on the island and came to within 15 m of the hurricane shelter.  Some of the personnel on that island are in the process of being evacuated due to the loss of the camp.  It is as yet unknown exactly what the extent of damage is to the island's albatross colonies (as well as to the endemic land birds), but it is likely to be extensive. Kure Atoll also reported four waves, starting after midnight that washed approximately 100 m inland causing extensive damage to the pier and mass seabird mortality.  Although other islands have yet to assess the losses to seabirds, the camp manager on Kure Atoll reports that entire portions of the Black-footed Albatross colony (which typically breed on the perimeter of these islands) have been washed away and that there are dead chicks everywhere.  Mitigating news from Kure is that the female-female Short-tailed Albatross pair ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatross-nest-fails-on-kure-atoll-hawaii)) was seen alive the next morning. Albatross colonies on Tern Island, Lehua, Kauai and Oahu (including the new [predator-proof fence](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-kaena-point-laysan-albatrosses-are-doing-well-as-their-predator-fence-approaches-completion)at Ka'ena Point) all survived without any reported damage as did the STAL [translocation colony](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-waltz-on-mukojima-short-tailed-albatrosses-engage-in-courtship-display-at-the-translocation-site)  on Japan's Mukojima Island which is high up enough not to have been affected by the 1-8 m wave reported for the Ogasawara Islands. Although acccurate estimates are not yet available, based on the descriptions provided and the numbers of albatross nests on these islands, losses are likely to be in the tens of thousands, if not more.  However, for both Laysans and Black-foots it is currently the post-guard period in the breeding cycle which means that many of the breeding adults would have been out at sea provisioning for their chicks when the tsunami hit, so with any luck the majority of the mortality will be of chicks and not of breeding adults.  Against this the fact that the tsunami hit the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands at night may have added to the mortality of adults. Nonetheless, this is potentially a huge loss for the Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses' global populations and further underscores the role that rising sea-levels will play in the future conservation of these birds. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatrosses_midway_lindsay_young.jpg "Happier times: massed breeding by Laysan Albatrosses on Midway. Photograph by Lindsay Young") With thanks to Beth Flint, John Klavitter and Pete Leary (US Fish & Wildlife Service) for providing accounts from Midway, Laysan and Tern, Cynthia Vanderlip for providing accounts from Kure, and Tomohiro Deguchi (Yamashina Institute for Ornithology) for information from Mukojima. *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, 14 March 2011, updated 16 & 18 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/stop-press-hawaiis-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-have-likely-suffered-heavy-losses-in-last-weeks-tsunami.md) ## Bycatch in Alaskan waters: how many ACAP-listed seabirds are killed? Elizabeth Phillips of [Moss Landing Marine Laboratories](http://www.mlml.calstate.edu/) in California, USA and colleagues writing recently in the open-access journal *[Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org)* have analysed the seabirds killed by experimental demersal longlines in the Bering Sea.  Only one individual of an ACAP-listed species (a Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis*) was identified among 417 carcasses. The paper's abstract follows: "The seasonal and spatial demographics are summarized for seabirds killed incidentally during gear modification trials for a demersal longline fishery in the Bering Sea.  We examined 417 carcasses, including Northern Fulmar *Fulmarus glacialis*(n = 205), Glaucous-winged Gull *Larus glaucescens*(n = 103), Short-tailed Shearwater *Puffinus tenuirostris*(n = 48), Glaucous Gull *Larus hyperboreus*(n = 23), Slaty-backed Gull *Larus schistisagus*(n = 4), Black-legged Kittiwake *Rissa tridactyla*(n = 1), Laysan Albatross *Diomedea immutabilis*(n = 1), and unidentified gull species *Larus*spp. (n = 32).  There was a significant male bias in the sex ratio of fulmars but not of gulls or shearwaters.  For the top three species killed, the age composition of resident species was dominated numerically by adults (Northern Fulmar-86%; Glaucous-winged Gull-63%), whereas migrant species were primarily immature birds (Short-tailed Shearwater-71%).  The majority of migratory Short-tailed Shearwaters (88%) were caught in July and August, whereas 70% of resident fulmars and gulls were caught in October and November.  Age-class frequencies did not differ by month of capture, indicating that adult mortality is substantial.  Eighty percent of the fulmars caught during July and August were within 200 km of two colonies in the Bering Sea, whereas only 7% of fulmars were caught in the same area during September to November.  This is one of the first demographic summaries of seabird bycatch in Alaska longline fisheries.  Additional studies of the species, age and sex of seabirds subject to fisheries-related mortality will provide data necessary to evaluate population-level impacts." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan Albatross1 by James Lloyd.jpg "Laysan Albatross. Photograph by James Lloyd") **Reference:** Phillips, E.M., Nevins, H.M., Hatch, S.A., Ramey, A.M., Miller, M.A. & Harvey, J.T. 2010. Seabird bycatch in Alaska demersal longline fishery trials: a demographic summary. [*Marine Ornithology*38: 111-117](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/38_2/38_2_111-117.pdf).  For a related paper not referenced in the above publication see: Cooper, J., E. Dunn, E., Kulka, D.W., Morgan, K.H. & Rivera, K.S. 2000.  Addressing the problem: seabird mortality from longline fisheries in the waters of Arctic countries.  In: Chardine, J.W., Porter, J.M. & Wohl, K.D. (Eds).  *Workshop on Seabird Incidental Catch in the Waters of Arctic Countries 26-28 April 2000* *Report and Recommendations*.  [CAFF Technical Report No. 7](http://arcticportal.org/uploads/T4/9w/T49wr0G6aBjio4S6LDgjog/Technical-no-7.pdf).  pp. 9, 33-42, 61-65. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/bycatch-in-alaskan-waters-how-many-acap-listed-seabirds-are-killed.md) ## Waved Albatross on the Galapagos avoid the tsunami while being tracked at sea Earlier this year the [Galapagos National Park Service](http://www.galapagospark.org/)*,* in collaboration with the [Charles Darwin Foundation](http://www.darwinfoundation.org/) and with David Anderson ([Department of Biology, Wake Forest University](http://www.wfu.edu/biology/), USA) and Sebastian Cruz and Carolina Proaño of the Colegio de Ciencias de la Vida, [Universidad San Francisco de Quito](http://www.usfq.edu.ec/), Ecuador, fitted 19 adult Waved Albatrosses *Phoebastria irrorata* at Punta Cevallos on [Española Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espa%C3%B1ola_Island) with geolocator devices ([click here](http://www.galapagos.org/2008/index.php?id=267)). The devices are scheduled to be removed in May 2011 and should then provide information on the post-breeding movements of Waved Albatrosses at sea.  Little is currently known about where they go during the first few months of the year when they presumably could be interacting with fisheries in open waters. According to David Anderson Española's Waved Albatrosses should not have been affected by the recent tsunami in the Pacific Ocean, since the adults do not return to the island to commence breeding until late March/April.  If there were any ashore he considers their cliff-top and inland breeding habitats would have protected them, unlike on the low-lying islands in the North Pacific where thousands of albatross adults and chicks have been lost ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/stop-press-hawaiis-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-have-likely-suffered-heavy-losses-in-last-weeks-tsunami)).  This will be confirmed by a research visit later this month. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_Albatross_flying_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "A Waved Albatross flies by. Photograph by Barry Baker") The Waved Albatross has been categorized as [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3955) by BirdLife International because it has an extremely small breeding range, is essentially confined to one island, and evidence suggests that it has experienced a substantial recent population decline. [Click here](http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p185-192/ ) to read a paper on the population status of the Waved Albatross. With thanks to David Anderson for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/waved-albatross-on-the-galapagos-avoid-the-tsunami-while-being-tracked-at-sea.md) ## Where do Southern Giant Petrels go to after fledging from the Antarctic Peninsula region? Martin Sander ([Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos](http://www.unisinos.br/principal/), São Leopoldo*,*Brazil) and colleagues have studied the movements of Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* as revealed following the banding of large numbers of chicks at breeding localities on islands along the Antarctic Peninsula. The paper's abstract from the open-access journal *[Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org )* follows: "The Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*is circum-Antarctic in distribution, with breeding colonies found on sub-Antarctic islands and along the Antarctic continent.  The objective of this study was to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the post-fledging dispersal of this species outside of Antarctica through the analysis of band recovery data for chicks banded at eight different locations between latitudes 61°S and 68°S, and longitudes 55°W and 69°W.  This project was carried out by the Antarctic Project UNISINOS (Aves Marinhas e Continentais da Antártica da Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos [Marine and Continental Birds of Antarctica-University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos]), from 1983/84 to 1992/93.  During this 10-year period, 7 503 chicks were banded, from which 68 recoveries outside Antarctica were reported, constituting the largest banding effort and recovery dataset used to examine Southern Giant Petrel post-fledging dispersal to date.  The study presents information regarding these recoveries, with special attention to distance traveled from nest site, lapse of time between the banding period and recovery, direction and orientation of dispersal, condition of the birds when recovered and historical comparative analysis from the literature." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_flying_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel at sea. Photograph by Warwick Barnes") **Reference:** SANDER, M., GARCIA, S.A., CARNEIRO, A.P.B., CRISTOFOLI, S.I. & POLITO, M.J. 2010.  Band recoveries and juvenile dispersal of Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus*marked as chicks in Antarctica by the Brazilian Antarctic Program (1984-1993).  [*Marine Ornithology*38: 119-124](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/38_2/38_2_119-124.pdf). [Click here](http://www.dna.gov.ar/CIENCIA/SANTAR07/CD/PDF/CVCO312.PDF) for a related publication on Southern Giant Petrel dispersal from the Antarctic Peninsula not referenced in the above study. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 March 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/where-do-southern-giant-petrels-go-to-after-fledging-from-the-antarctic-peninsula-region.md) ## Last chance to win! Applications for the third UNEP/CMS Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation close 15 April The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) and the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany ([ZFMK](http://www.zfmk.de/)) are pleased to repeat the call for applications of the third UNEP/CMS Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation, sponsored by Lufthansa. The UNEP/CMS Thesis Award on Migratory Species Conservation was launched by the Secretariat of the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species, on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary in 2004.  It was conferred for the first time at the 8th Conference of the Parties in 2005. The Award amounting to € 10,000 is conferred every three years at the Conference of the Parties. The thesis should provide new data and insights into the biology of migratory species or external factors disrupting their migration patterns. Research results must be applicable to conservation measures for the benefit of migratory species. The application process for 2011 will close very shortly.  The winner will be awarded at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to CMS (COP10) to be held in Norway in November 2011.  The deadline for online application is 15 April 2011. Please [click here](http://www.cms.int/thesis_award/) for more detailed information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/G/Grey_Petrel_by_Peter_Ryan1.jpg "Grey Petrel: little is known about its at-sea movements. Photograph by Peter Ryan") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-african-research-on-acap-species-wins-unep/cms-thesis-awards) to see the results of the previous UNEP/CMS Thesis Award.  Two of the three laureates, including the prize-winner, had produced PhD theses on the conservation of ACAP-listed species, including the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/last-chance-to-win-applications-for-the-third-unepcms-thesis-award-on-migratory-species-conservation-close-15-april.md) ## Move over Rudolph, your time is nearly up. Intention to rid a Southern Ocean island of its introduced Reindeer announced It appears attempts to rid islands in the Southern Ocean of introduced mammals are proceeding apace.  The feral cats of Marion, Campbell and Macquarie all went some years ago and more recently Campbell's rats were eradicated.  Attempts are underway this year to get rid of the alien rodents and rabbits on Macquarie and of rats on South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*. The latest development is an announcement that confirms the intention to rid South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* of its introduced [Reindeer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reindeer)*[Rangifer tarandus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reindeer). *This decision follows a stakeholder consultation held last year when 95% of respondents were in favour of their eradication ([click here](http://www.sgisland.gs/download/Management%20of%20introduced%20reindeer%20on%20South%20Georgia.pdf)). The next step is to appoint advisory groups to ascertain quite how to remove the Reindeer, introduced in 1909 by Norwegian sealers.  Removal of these large herbivores should lead to an improvement in the overgrazed natural vegetation, which can only be good for the indigenous wildlife, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/White_chinned_Petrel_by_Ben Phalan.jpg "White-chinned Petrels should benefit from the removal of Reindeer. Photograph by Ben Phalan") [Click here](http://www.springerlink.com/content/q22gm46xpn18p2k1/) to read a scientific paper on the island's Reindeer. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 March 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/move-over-rudolph-your-time-is-nearly-up-intention-to-rid-a-southern-ocean-island-of-its-introduced-reindeer-announced.md) ## Can Southern Giant Petrels rear two chicks following an adoption? Diego Archuby of the [Instituto Antártico Argentino](http://www.dna.gov.ar/INGLES/INDEX.HTM) and colleagues in Argentina report in the open-access journal *[Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org )* the unsuccessful outcome of a Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus* nest containing two chicks. The paper's abstract follows: "We report on the adoption of a Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*chick by a breeding pair on 25 de Mayo Island (King George Island), South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.  Our observations showed both chicks received similar amounts of food, but there were differences in their growth rates that could be explained by their gender.  After the third week of adoption, aggressive behaviors were common between chicks, usually expressed through regurgitation.  This resulted in a low rate of growth in both chicks.  Neither chick fledged, and both were found dead near the colony seven weeks after adoption.  The constant fights between them could be one of the causes of their death, particularly if death resulted from excessive regurgitation.  Although exclusion of unrelated chicks at nest sites has not been reported in *M. giganteus,*chick adoption seems to have no clear benefits and may contribute to brood failure." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_with_chick_Gough_Island_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel tries to brood its large chick. Photograph by John Cooper") **Reference:** ARCHUBY, D.I., CORIA, N.R., HARRINGTON, A., FUSARO, B., MONTALTI, D. & FAVERO, M. 2010.  Is it possible for a procellariiform to raise two chicks?  A case of chick adoption in Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus*in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica.  [*Marine Ornithology*38: 125-127](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/38_2/38_2_125-127.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/can-southern-giant-petrels-rear-two-chicks-following-an-adoption.md) ## ** 23 August UPDATE ** Tristan oiling disaster. "Tristan" the oiled albatross finally flies away ***Oliva* oiling disaster update** "Tristan", the only albatross (molly) known to be oiled by the *Oliva* disaster, finally flew away last month  On 16 July the fledgling Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* left the main island of Tristan, where it had been looked after in captivity since 23 March.  It was cleaned of oil on 11 April. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed/atlantic_yellow_nosed_albatross_feeding_katrine_herian.jpg "Molly gets fed. Photograph by Katrine Herian ") Information from [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php) ********************* A profusely illustrated 11-page account of the *Oliva* oiling disaster has now been published in No. 49 (August 2011) of the *Tristan da Cunha Newsletter*.  The article takes readers through a timeline of the disaster and incudes many photographs not previously published, including of  ''Tristan'', the oiled fledgling Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche chlororhynchos.*  The bird was cleaned of its oil on 11 April but was still in captivity "alive and well" on 11 July. [Click here](http://www.tristandc.com/newsletter.php) to order a copy and to view the table of contents of the August and earlier issues of the newsletter. ************************* A review of the *Oliva* oiling disaster has been published in the latest issue of BirdLife International's [World Birdwatch](http://www.birdlife.org/publications/world_birdwatch/index.html) magazine.  The illustrated article states that the [funding appeal](https://www.rspb.org.uk/applications/donations/single/index.aspx?dt=APLITH0222)made by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has so far raised GBP 68 000 towards rescue and environmental restoration efforts. The funds raised will help ensure that Tristan da Cunha has sufficient resources to deal with any future oiling incidents without having to wait for supplies from outside. **Reference:** Langley, N. 2011.  Oil spill strikes at heart of Northern Rockhopper Penguin colony.  *World Birdwatch* 33(2): 22-23. ***************************** The last 180 Northern Rockhopper Penguins oiled from the wreck of the *Oliva* on Nightingale Island on 16 March this year were released on the main island of Tristan da Cunha on 21 June, bringing the total number of birds released after cleaning to 381, out of a total of 3718 oiled birds collected.  This is a release rate of 10.2%. The penguins were each identified with a marking of pink dye on their white chests. The single fledgling Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche chlororhynchos*, nicknamed "Molly", that was collected oiled from Nightingale on 25 March still remains in captivity, but there are plans to release it. Visit the Tristan da Cunha web site at [www.tristandc.com](http://www.tristandc.com)  to read more about the *Oliva* oiling from its inception and to view pictures of the final release. With thanks to Richard Grundy, Editor, *Tristan da Cunha Newsletter*  ********************************** There was a further release of 57 penguins on 12 June and on 14 June there were 167 live penguins ashore, 214 released of 3718 total = 10.2% survival.  [information from Richard Grundy, Tristan da Cunha Association, 20 June 2011] ****************************** Success of *Adopt a Penguin* scheme: report from Dawn Repetto, Tristan da Cunha Tourism Co-ordinator ([http://www.tristandc.com/visitscruises.php](http://www.tristandc.com/visitscruises.php)) "The *Adopt a Penguin* scheme was set up in response to the *Oliva* disaster at Nightingale and the rescue of Rockhopper Penguins.  Visitors, especially those from cruise ships who saw the efforts being made to save the lives of oiled penguins paid £50 to adopt a penguin and a certificate was issued as a souvenir.  On each certificate was the adopter's name and the name of the penguin which the individual chose.  Lots of lovely names were chosen including Slick, Rocky, Guppie, Zuul, Calshot, Cordelia, Pinguini, Lyrian, Julie,  Mees, Noor and Limahl. A total of UK£2500 was raised from the scheme and all funds went to the Environmental Disaster Fund.  This money will assist with the local monitoring of penguins in the months and years ahead. A big thank you to everyone who donated." Donations may also be made via  [https://www.rspb.org.uk/applications/donations/single/index.aspx?dt=APLITH0222](https://www.rspb.org.uk/applications/donations/single/index.aspx?dt=APLITH0222) *************************************** It is pleasing to report that on 30 May 120 penguins were released from the pen on East Beach. It only took the first one to take the plunge and the others followed in swift pursuit. Unfortunately one Rockhopper decided he was not ready to go so was returned to the pen. The release was watched with great excitement by the school children and many others gathered to watch. Report from Tina Glass via [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php) where pictures of the release may be viewed. ******************** ** **The penguin rehabilitation project team continue to work relentlessly in all weathers, in an effort to secure the successful release of clean, healthy, waterproof birds.  The team is now working in three specific areas, namely the west pen, the beach (release pen) and the ICU shed.  As of today there are just 30 birds remaining in the west pen with a further 60 having been moved down to the beach release pen this morning.  The remaining 30 birds still require more weight gain before being transferred.  These birds were weighed again this morning with weights recorded ranging from 1.2 - 1.4 kg.  Once these penguins are nearing the 1.5kg mark they will be transferred down to the release pen, after which the west pen will be dismantled and the surrounding areas cleared and cleaned.    **East Beach Release Pool** There are now 337 birds being housed in the beach release pen.  This pen has been sub-divided into three separate sections: the west section for birds just below 1.5kg; the central area for those weighing between 1.5 kg - 1.7 kg; and the east section for birds above 1.7 kg. Birds that have been transferred to the east section are not only of the appropriate weight for release, but have also gone through vigorous checks by the team for waterproofing. **Trial Release on 21 May** With this in mind, it was decided to carry out a trial release of 25 of the fittest birds on Saturday 21 May.  The birds were released from the pen where they headed straight down to the sea into the open water. They set off in groups, with a few stragglers at the back. Of the 25 that were released one came straight back ashore. The bird was examined and was confirmed to be waterproof.  A further seven returned after approximately one hour, two came ashore at Hottentot Beach 24 hours later and one returned to the release pen unaided yesterday afternoon (a good 36 hours after release).  All these birds are in good health and have shown no signs of distress or weakness. There are a further 110 birds in the east section ready for release, and following on from the relative success of Saturday's trial (there were no known fatalities), the rehabilitation team are now working on a plan to release this entire group of birds.  In the meantime, all birds continue to feed by hand and swim in the pools daily. **ICU Latest** The ICU shed currently contains 11 weak and underweight birds.  In order to clean up the shed, the ICU will be moved to the wash bay which has a snug warm pen for the weak penguins. [Report from Marina Burns, Tristan da Cunha, 23rd May 2011] *********** As at 9 May, there are around 400 penguins remaining in the rehabilitation centre on Tristan - there have been no further releases since 3 April.  All remaining birds have gained weight well, but their feathers appear in poor condition after having been oiled and then washed.  Release of these birds cannot occur until they are in excellent condition, as sending them into a cold south Atlantic without their waterproofing intact would be disastrous.  Around 25 Tristanians are still working full time with the penguins, and the entire community remains dedicated to seeing the remaining birds head out to sea as soon as possible. Sadly, the overall rate of rehabilitation of the rescued penguins has been extremely low, with around an 88% mortality rate amongst those birds that were moved to Tristan.  This is a much higher mortality than in other oiling incidents, and we hope that lessons can be learned that will improve this figure in any future incidents.  The extreme remoteness of the Tristan islands and the necessary delay (at least six days' sail from Cape Town) in getting vital supplies and staff to the islands probably contributed to the low survival, as birds would have been consuming toxic oil from their feathers for more than a week before rescue was undertaken. All remaining wild penguins have now departed from the islands, and headed off to their winter feeding grounds.  We will not know the true impact of this calamity on the population until the birds return to breed on the islands in August and September this year.  The wreck of the MS*Oliva*remains in the water near Nightingale, and some oil is still leaking from the vessel - it is likely that winter storms will break the wreck up, and will disperse this oil, but we will need to continue to monitor the situation for possible impact on returning birds. The ongoing impact on Tristan's lobster fishery is also unknown but being investigated.  RSPB's Brad Robson will travel to Tristan in September to assist the Conservation Department with their annual rockhopper census - Brad knows the islands well, having spent a year living there with his family in 2008/09.  We hope that some of the measures taken by the Tristan team, such as corralling penguins on land to prevent their exposure to oil, will have saved the lives of numerous birds. To-date, the insurers of the *Oliva* have paid for all the rehabilitation and clean-up efforts, and we hope they will continue to act responsibly in the coming months and years. There will, however, undoubtedly be some work that cannot be funded through insurance. One area where funds raised through the appeal can contribute will be ensuring that the people of Tristan da Cunha have sufficient resources on-hand locally to deal with any future oiling incident rapidly and without awaiting supplies from Cape Town. The community now has significant expertise in penguin rehabilitation, and we hope this can be shared with other South Atlantic islands to enable them to also mount rapid responses if an incident like this one occurs in the future. Report taken from [www.birdlife.org](http://www.birdlife.org) with thanks. News in this month from Gough Island in the South African Weather Station's monthly newsletter *The Bunting* for April 2011 is that despite directed searches at several breeding sites (including The Glen), no oiled penguins have been seen. [Click here](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8267982&fulltextType=BT&fileId=S0959270911000013) to access a recent *Bird Conservation International* publication on the 2009 population of Northern Rockhopper Penguins in the Tristan Group.  ******************  No evidence of rats ashore on Nightingale Island There is still a team of three on Nightingale  Island monitoring bait stations for rats, but thankfully no evidence of rodent infestation has been found.  A team change over has been postponed due to poor weather.  The weather has also delayed a planned inspection of Middle Island to monitor the progress of the weather breaking up and washing away the oil that remains and is seeping from the rocks. It has been impossible to make a landing to carry out a close inspection of the beach at Blenden Hall on Inaccessible Island. There has still been no survey of the wreck of the *Oliva* and therefore confirmation that there is no longer any cargo and lubricants on or around the ship.  For example there may be paints and other oils/lubricants on board have yet to be released and dispersed. Meanwhile cleaning of the remaining 446 oiled penguins is continuing on the main island of Tristan. Information from Tristan Administrator Sean Burns on 27 & 29 April, taken from [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivahome.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivahome.php) with thanks. ********************* Earlier this afternoon construction of a ‘release pool' was finally completed after three days' intensive work. All washed penguins will be brought here to be swum and fed in the days up until they are released back to sea. The release pool is made up of two adjoining 6 x 6 metre pools that have been constructed above the storm-water line on the east beach below the Settlement of Edinburgh. The first pool is fed with seawater pumped up from the shore along a 75-mm diameter hose. This overflows into a second pool from which the water is very slowly draining, maintaining a constant circulation of freshened water. This will ensure that any surface residues, for example fish oil, are regularly removed. It has been a logistical challenge getting this facility up and running. SANCCOBs Logistical Manager Mariëtte Hopley reported it was originally planned to be located close to the rehab shed but due to the lack of level ground, had to be relocated. The heavy steel frames for the perimeter pen fences and pool sides were pre-welded in South Africa. On site these have been welded to scaffolding poles for extra rigidity, and metal building-floor mesh has been used to support netting along the sides. One huge piece of heavy gauge PVC plastic was laid over the steel frame to line both pools and with access ramps in place and shade netting around the perimeter of each pen for a wind break, the release pool was ready to receive penguins. By midday, the first 120 of the 400 plus rockhoppers now at the release pool were brought down from the rehab centre by tractor and trailer. It was a humid, hot day on Tristan and the penguins took to the water with visible relief at being able to cool down and swim in the spacious pools. The strongest penguins were darting and diving underwater and washed vigorously for a good ten minutes before clambering out on the pool ramps. Rehab manager Dereck Rogers will be taking overall charge of the rehab operation after the ‘hand-over' from SANCCOB, and will be overseeing the daily feeding, swimming and testing of the penguins' plumage for waterproofing prior to their release. Each of the two pools has its own pen area with pebble floor where the clean washed penguins can dry off and preen in between swimming and feeding. SANCCOB's Mariëtte Hopley reported the floor had been constructed as a  ‘natural French drain', so graded sizes of large pebbles, smaller pebbles and gravel were used to a depth of 30cm to allow the guano produced to be washed and filtered through this system when the floor is hosed down each morning. With the departure of the SANCCOB team scheduled for just over five days time on the *Ivan Papanin* and more than 1300 penguins still remaining at the rehab centre, SANCCOB have submitted a Plan of Action to the Tristan Administration for the management of the rehab operation until it is completed. To date 3718 penguins have been admitted to the rehab centre, 2378 have died at the centre and 24 penguins have been released. SANCCOB are preparing to release two batches of penguins (up to around 200 in total), back to sea before they depart on 23 April.     Katrine Herian, RSPB Project Officer on Tristan da Cunha ************************ Yesterday (12th) saw the arrival of the Russian research/Antarctic supply vessel *Ivan Papanin*.  This is the fourth vessel chartered by the owners of the *Oliva* and their insurers since the wreck and oiling incident, following after the *Edinburgh*, *Smit Amandla* and the *Svitzer Singapore*. The *Edinburgh* and the *Smit Amandla* were chartered on the day of the incident by the owner's appointed salvors. The *Ivan Papanin* is carrying the balance of the SANCCOB penguin-cleaning supplies and oil-abatement equipment that was not able to be collected prior to the departure of the third vessel, the *Svitzer Singapore* on 29 March.  She also carries a Bell-212 helicopter, which will greatly improve the deployment of the oil-abatement teams and equipment into the oiled gulleys and bays on Middle Island, the focus of the clean-up efforts. There is presently a 28-person team of international responders on the island, including SANCCOB/veterinarians/ITOPF/oil pollution and salvage response experts, working alongside an 80-strong island volunteer force. To date, 3718 oiled penguins have been recovered and transferred to Tristan for rehabilitation. The last 56 of these arriving from Nightingale on 10th March. Fortunately the penguins have completed their moulting period, and the vast majority of the penguins has left the breeding colonies and gone to sea following feeding grounds during the pelagic period of their yearly cycle. They are not due back at Tristan until they return in August for the start of the next breeding season. With the onset of the southern winter, the adverse weather has brought with it gale force winds and heavy seas.  While hampering the clean-up response, these have broken up the majority of the released oil, although there are still clear signs of pollution around Nightingale. The remote location of Tristan, along with the fact that no air-field exists closer than Cape Town (some 2200 km away), makes mobilisation of response equipment and supplies more challenging. The *Oliva* was on a voyage from Brazil to China carrying 65 000 tonnes of soya beans as cargo, and grounded on Nightingale Island in the early morning of 16 March. The 22-strong crew were rescued from the casualty before she subsequently broke in two on the night of 18 March, releasing a large quantity of bunker oil.  For further information contact Katrine Herian, RSPB Project Officer on Tristan da Cunha        [katrineherian@gmail.com](mailto:katrineherian@gmail.com)     ***************************   Tristan oiling disaster:  first Rockhopper Penguins washed at rehabilitation centre Late last night the first five Northern Rockhopper Penguins to be washed at the newly erected wash-bay facility were drying off under infrared lights.  This was a rewarding moment for rehabilitation manager Dereck Rogers who has been very closely involved with the care of the penguins from the moment the first oiled penguins were brought back to Tristan two and a half weeks ago. He was elated at being able to hold a cleanly washed penguin.   The past few days have seen the whole island working together to ensure the SANCCOB team have everything they need to erect the wash-bay facility, post-wash pens and pools.  The island plumbers, electricians, carpenters have all been on standby to assist with the operation, as well as plant operators for moving equipment and materials.  SANCCOB has installed three large hot water geysers in the wash-bay to heat the water for washing, as well as hundreds of metres of piping and cable to link in to the island's water and electrical supplies.   This morning the washing of oiled penguins got well under way as the first ‘washing-team' comprised of islanders received training from SANCCOB's CEO Venessa Strauss.  The washing-team work in pairs and island Administrator Sean Burns watched with interest as the first pair was taken through the thirty-minute process.  This entails spraying a fine mist of de-greaser (breaks down the oil/s as a pre-wash application), over the feathers of the penguin while carefully protecting the bird's eyes.  The penguins are then washed in a warm bath of biodegradable soap and anti-sceptic solution, gently working the feathers from the base of the penguin up. After a second wash with the soap and a gentle clean around the eyes with a toothbrush, penguins are taken to a rinsing bay. Here SANCCOB's Jennie Bancroft showed islanders how to rinse the penguins' feathers making sure that none of the rinsing water is ingested by the birds.  A high-pressure shower head is used in order to fluff up the feathers.  After a hydration treatment of fluid with electrolytes and glucose, the washed penguins are then tagged and put in a recovery pen under infrared lamps for warmth while they dry off.  They are later moved to small clean pens which will each have access to a swimming pool where there are encouraged to swim.  Sixty-four penguins were washed today but SANCCOB's veterinary surgeon Tertius Gous, said they were aiming to wash up to a hundred a day once the washing-team is in full swing. Meanwhile at the holding pens for oiled penguins the feeding teams were hard at work trying to satisfy the hunger of the many penguins waiting to be washed.  South African Pilchards are being fed to the penguins at the village swimming pool and in the outside pens to build up their strength before undergoing the washing process.  Some of the more lightly oiled penguins at the swimming pool are being ‘swum' every day after which their waterproofing is tested.  As soon as these penguins satisfy the release criteria of effective waterproofing and sufficient weight, further penguins will be released. To date 3662 penguins have been admitted to the centre, 1577 have died, 69 have been washed and a further 24 released back to sea. News from Katrine Herian, RSPB Project Officer on Tristan da Cunha, 9 April 2011 ************  First penguins released from the rehabilitation centre # On Sunday 3 April the first penguins from the rehabilitation centre were released back to the sea. At 16h45 watched closely by Tristan Islanders and the Administrator and his wife, the first 24 Northern Rockhopper Penguins were released at Saltpot Beach below the Settlement on the main island of Tristan. Conservation Officer Trevor Glass reported ‘the penguins were in perfect order, all their plumage had been checked and found dry'. It was an emotional moment and Trevor said he was more than happy to see the first batch go back to sea. # ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Other_Birds/Other_birds/penguin_after_release_katrine_herian.jpg "Cleaned penguin on Tristan after release. Photograph by Katrine Herian")   The penguins selected for release were selected from the strongest ones with no visible oil on their outer plumage. These penguins have been swimming in the release pool for several days. Of those tested to see if they were ready for release, only 24 had perfectly waterproof plumage. After arrival on Tristan penguins are stabilised and kept indoors in the rehabilitation shed, after which the strongest ones are moved to the outside pen. From here the cleanest and strongest ones are moved to the release pool where they are fed every day with fish, and encouraged to swim in the pool and to preen themselves. The pool is filled with fresh, unchlorinated water on a daily basis. Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe reported that the not so heavily oiled penguins admitted to the centre were doing an exceptional job of swimming and preening themselves clean. So far, 3662 oiled penguins have been admitted to the rehabilitation centre. A total of 373 has died since the first batch of penguins were admitted on 23 March. About 25% of the penguins at the centre are currently in the release pool. There are still many oiled penguins which require urgent cleaning and we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the SANCCOB team and the specialised equipment and materials needed for washing. These are due to arrive at Tristan later today on the tug Singapore but due to rough seas it is unlikely that they will be able to get ashore immediately. News from Katrine Herian, RSPB Project Officer, Tristan da Cunha, Monday 4 April 2011 ********************** NOTE: for futher updates of the Tristan oiling disaster over the next few days please visit [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivahome.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivahome.php). # News from the Island Administrator, Sean Burns, issued Sunday 3 April "I went over to Middle or Alex and Inaccessible Islands yesterday. Alex is by far the worst I have seen in terms of pollution although there are vast areas of all three islands that we have still not visited. With the way the wreck is lying and taking into account the way the wind has been moving since the ship ran aground it is not surprising that this area is badly hit.  The ‘landing', situated opposite the Western Landing on Nightingale, is coated in thick oil.  Simon Glass and theTristan.  The *Singapore* arrives tomorrow morning and because the weather will prevent her offloading, she will make a quick assessment of Nightingale before coming to Tristan to begin  offloading the drugs and cleaning equipment we so desperately need.  The conservation team now have 50/60 people helping out with the rehabilitation operation and a shift system has been put in place for when the cleaning starts. The *Ivan Papanin*, equipped with materials to clean up the oil, will be leaving Cape Town on Tuesday 5th or Wednesday 6th. They do not wish to sail before the ITOPF team  aboard the *Singapore* gets a chance to assess the situation for themselves. The *Ivan Papanin* will have a helicopter on board to help move people and equipment around to assist with the cleanup operation. I saw oil in the sea around both islands with the heaviest concentration on Nightingale around Petrel Bay.  Blenden Hall on Inaccessible still has a slick of diesel and some crude.  We also saw crude on some of the kelp on both islands.  team removed the last of  the penguins today and apart from a few stragglers, the colony above this area is now more or less empty.  The  ther colonies on the island are clean and most of the birds have now left.  Whether or not they survived we do not know.  That assessment cannot be made until the penguins return in August.     With the penguins leaving the islands there is no longer a need to have large teams collecting and holding the birds before transportation to Tristan.  During the week we will scale down both operations and concentrate on cleaning those birds we have here on The all important fishery remains closed.  The *Edinburgh* is currently taking samples, which will need testing in either Cape Town or the UK.  There is little possibility that the results  will be known before the end of the season (end April) so it is likely both islands will remain closed until next season.  A decision on re-opening the fishery cannot be taken until a rigorous programme of sampling and testing has taken place. So another busy week for all but the situation is changing as we move from a  rescue/collection situation to a cleaning operation.  We look forward to releasing the first penguins either today or tomorrow." *************** Meanwhile Katrine Herian reports that 'Tristan', the single oiled Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross in the rehabilitation centre on Tristan is "alive and well" and will be cleaned as soon as the cleaning equipment and  infra-red lamps being brought on the *Singapore*are operational.  Tristan is currently being given electrolytes and iron tablets, and fed fish-eater's tablets and locally-caught fish. Nightingale Island emergency appeal Thousands of [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=112448) Northern Rockhopper Penguins *Eudyptes moseleyi* have been covered in oil after a cargo ship crashed into Nightingale Island, part of the United Kingdom's Overseas Territory of [Tristan da Cunha](http://www.tristandc.com/), home to a community of only 263 people. The Tristan Islanders are doing a sterling job helping the penguins.  But they face a race against the clock to save the birds. And even before the disaster, the Northern Rockhopper was one of the most threatened penguin species. Please consider giving to the Nightingale Island Disaster Fighting Fund, which is being administered by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)),  the United Kingdom partner of [BirdLife International](http://www.birdlife.org/). Your donation will be used to help the penguins and other wildlife affected by the oil. Your support will also be used to fund follow-up monitoring and to assess the full impact of this disaster. [Click here](https://www.rspb.org.uk/applications/donations/single/index.aspx?dt=APLITH0222) to find out how to donate. **News from James Glass, Director, Fisheries Department, Tristan da Cunha Government** With an increasing number of oiled Northern Rockhopper Penguins being rehabilitated on Tristan needing to be fed daily and as yet no imported fish, Tristan Islanders have to go and catch 'whitefish', mostly Giant Yellowtail *Seriola lalandi* and Five-finger *Acantholatris monodactylus*. The last few days have seen strong winds and hailstorms (known locally as' hailswails') with a confused sea, but this has not deterred the keen fishers from going out. On Tuesday 29 March Cliff Swain caught a tuna *Thunnus* sp.*w*hen aboard the barge with fellow islanders Andrew Green, Grant Green, Mark Swain and Duncan Lavarello, and they also landed 16 Yellowtail.  In another barge were Larry Swain, Gavin Green, Gary Repetto and Shaun Green who caught 10 Yellowtail and 110 Five-fingers, not bad for a few hours fishing, especially given how bad the weather was. Each penguin needs approximately 200 g of fish (raw meat mass) a day.  The crews from the boats catch and fillet the fish in the harbour and then deliver the fillets to the Fisheries and Conservation Departments' laboratory, where they are cut into chocolate-size squares. From here they are taken by another team and up to eight cubes of fresh fish are fed to each penguin. With over 3000 penguins to feed this means 600 kg of fish are needed daily - an extreme amount to be caught from hand lines in open boats when some days are inevitably lost as the swell closes Calshot Harbour. The tug *Singapore* which departed Cape Town on Wednesday 30 March is carrying 16 tonnes of South African Pilchards to feed the penguins which will help supplement that caught locally. Summarized from [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivafishing.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivafishing.php). Other news from Tristan is that the crew of the wrecked*Oliva*were expected have left the island yesterday  on  the *Samatan*, a sister bulk carrier *en route* from Cape Town to Brazil.  The *Singapore* is due to arrive at  the island later today or tomorrow with its five-person penguin rehabilitation team from the [SANCCOB Foundation](http://www.sanccob.co.za) aboard (as well as the urgently-needed frozen pilchards).  The departure of the *Oliva*'s crew will free up accommodation in the village for these new arrivals. **SITREP Thursday 31 March 18h00 Tristan Time from RSPB Officer Katrine Herian** ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Other_Birds/Other_birds/northern_rockhopper_penguin_hand_feeding1_katrine_herrian.jpg "Hand-feeding an oiled Northern Rockhopper Penguin in Tristan's swimming pool. Photograph by Katrine Herian") We are pleased to report that following discussions between the Tristan da Cunha Government and the owners/insurers of the wrecked *Oliva* a helicopter will be coming to Tristan on the MS *Ivan Papanin*, which is due to leave Cape Town next week.  The helicopter will greatly facilitate the penguin rescue teams getting to the remoter colonies and help move birds, people and equipment around and be available in case there is a need to evacuate anyone working on the outer islands back to Tristan in a hurry. **Tristan** We now have approximately 2400 oiled penguins in the rehabilitation centre divided between the shed, ICU, outside pens and the swimming pool.  More of the cleaner penguins (less than 20% oiled) were transferred to the pool today, making 544 penguins there in total.  Justin Green, one of those feeding the penguins at the pool, reported that there are now 30 penguins that are taking fish strips by hand.  Each penguin is given up to 15 strips and some of these penguins then peck at the feeders' boots for more. Birds in the 'thin' penguin pen are being fed twice a day.  This means that we currently need over 450 kg of fish (raw flesh) each day to feed all the penguins currently in captivity. A further 539 penguins are expected from Nightingale Island this evening. **Nightingale Island** Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe, who went over to Nightingale Island today, reports that most of the captive penguins were in good condition as they have been stabilized by the rescue team based on Nightingale. At the West Landing, the team counted six dead penguins in the water which were moderately oiled.  Approximately 150-200 oiled penguins were seen at the West Landing on the shore rocks. **Inaccessible Island** Due to the continued bad weather the *Edinburgh* and the RIBs were once more unable to get to Inaccessible today.  Lourens Malan reported that the team had fed around 500 penguins of those that they were holding, and that they were catching more fish.  For the first time since they arrived, the team walked the beaches west from Blenden Hall round to Dirleton Point.  They counted 300 oiled penguins along this stretch of shoreline. **SITREP Wednesday 30 March 17h30, Tristan Time** Today's SITREP has been written by Marina Burns, wife of the Tristan Administrator who is helping with the penguin rehabilitation - as are many of the  island's small population.  It is clear everyone is working extremely hard. **Tristan** The weather has been much kinder to us on the island today, which has helped us greatly with our rehabilitation work.  We are delighted to report that all 1695 penguins fed well today with some now hand feeding from team members.  We now have three fully operational teams of workers with a fourth group of trainees ready to join the teams tomorrow.  The three teams worked hard to ensure that all penguins were fed by 14h30 and interior pens cleaned and ready for the arrival of the next batch of 700 penguins due to arrive on the *Edinburgh* from Nightingale Island later this afternoon. Along with the 700 oiled and clean penguins from Nightingale will be the majority of the Nightingale team.  Team members Matthew and Wayne will remain on Nightingale to continue monitoring the situation there and taking care of the remaining oiled penguins, which will be transported to Tristan as soon as weather permits. With the exception of 85 particularly oiled penguins, all other penguins have now been moved either to the swimming pool or to an exterior pen.  The birds in the pool are preening themselves and looking cleaner and more waterproof every day. A second exterior pen has now been erected with water dishes, but no pool as yet.  This will be for the housing of strong but thin birds, which will be fed twice a day to strengthen them before release.  The pen will contain upturned boats which will provide necessary shelter for the penguins.  The separate sick bay is now up and running with 90 thin and weak birds being cared for intensively. We can report that only eight deaths were registered today. Oil has been reported on the west side of the main island of Tristan from Anchorstock Point to Hacklehill Road.  A team was mobilized on foot this morning to walk to the Caves and Stony Beach but as yet, we have had no report.  In addition, two oiled penguins were found on Runaway Beach this morning. The *Smit Amandla* left for Cape Town this morning at 10h00 leaving behind the Spill Auditor Nick Sloane and a team of six divers.  The tug *Singapore* left Cape Town at 18h00 yesterday evening (Tuesday 29th), but due to adverse weather conditions, will probably not arrive until Sunday afternoon.   Aboard the *Singapore* is the SANCCOB team together with Mark Whittington from ITOPF.  The tug is carrying essential equipment and materials for the washing and rehabilitation of the penguins. **Nightingale Island** It has been reported today that the west landing is still covered in oil. **Middle Island** Middle Island is also still badly affected.  It is estimated that approximately 8000 penguins are still on the island.  It is hoped that as soon as the penguins have been rescued from Inaccessible, the team can assist further there. **Inaccessible Island** The weather is looking good tomorrow to send a sizable team over to Inaccessible to assist in the rescue of as many oiled and unoiled penguins as possible.  The team will include Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe, Spill Auditor Nick Sloane, Conservation Officer Trevor Glass, members of the Nightingale team and the divers from the *Smit Amandla*. **SITREP 29 March 20h00 (Tristan time) from Katrine Herian on Tristan** Another bitingly cold day on Tristan with strong winds and five-metre swells. Bad weather prevented landing at either Nightingale or Inaccessible Islands.  The fishing vessel *Edinburgh* took 5.5 hours to make the 25-mile journey between Nightingale and Tristan, a trip which normally takes around 2.5 hours. **Tristan** At 09h30 the *Edinburgh*reported two oil slicks 3-4 miles off the south of Tristan. At 12h45 the first oil-covered penguin was reported to have been found on the main island of Tristan. Fisherman Desmond Green found the penguin on the beach near Red Sands to the south-west of the Settlement Plain. Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe confirmed that the penguin had been very recently oiled and that oil-covered feather samples have been taken. Conservation Officer Trevor Glass has arranged for a team of three to walk out from the Settlement early tomorrow morning to check the beaches down to the Caves and Stony Beach in the south of the island. In the rehabilitation shed the team are doing really well and fed every single penguin, 1593 birds in total.  More of the cleaner penguins were moved out to the swimming pool, making 282 now in the pool. We have approximately 500 penguins left in the shed which gives us room for up to 600 possible new arrivals, as the rest were all strong enough to go outside. It also provides an opportunity to put down a fresh layer of volcanic sand. Nightingale is still holding approximately 600 penguins which we may be able to get to and collect before we get a break in the weather to land at Inaccessible. An intensive care unit or ‘sick bay' was set up today in a portable container with an adjacent holding area. There are 98 penguins in the ICU and these thin and weak penguins are being given electrolytes and tube fed with Hills a/d, a high nutrition solution. Penguins here are receiving special attention mainly because of being underweight. There were 22 penguins that died in the rehabilitation centre yesterday plus the Broad-billed Prion from Middle Island which was heavily oiled, and 21 dead penguins today. *The Sandy Point Express* was out again today with a team of fishers catching fish for the penguins. Pensioners Joyce Hagan and Diana Green were cutting up fish all day into little squares for feeding the penguins. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/People/tristan_pensioner_diana_cuts_fish_estelle_van _der_merwe1.jpg "Rallying round to help: Tristan pensioner Diana Green cuts freshly-caught fish to feed the oiled penguins. Photograph by Estelle van der Merwe") **Nightingale** At 07h00 this morning Simon Glass reported a heavy swell running at the landing rock. The team spent the day feeding the very weak penguins with 60 ml each of Hill a/d.  Due to bad weather they couldn't fish today to feed the stronger penguins but will try again tomorrow. **Inaccessible** The team after seeking advice, released 150 oiled birds they were holding in the corrall at Warren's Cliff in order to focus their resources on the unoiled penguins. The oiled penguins had been held for more than five days as neither the *Edinburgh* nor local RIBs [rigid inflatable boats] have been able to get over there due to bad weather and swells at the landing beach and heavy seas had dispersed some of the oil at the landing beach below the colony. They are still holding 1400 unoiled penguins at Warren's Cliff. Visit [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php) to see more pictures. ********29 March 21h00 SAST:** The *Singapore* sailed from Cape Town about three hours ago for Tristan da Cunha, delayed for 24 hours by foggy conditions overnight in Table Bay.  Aboard the tug is a six-person team led by Venessa Strauss, CEO of the penguin-cleaning SANCCOB Foundation, which organization has been contracted by the insurers of the wrecked *Oliva*, along with supplies and equipment for treating large numbers of oiled penguins.  Their arrival on Tristan, expected by end of the week, should give a much-needed boost to the penguin rehabilitation work. Venessa SMSed from the ship that she and her team were excited to be able to help Tristan with its oiling disaster, and they hoped for good weather and a fast run. Today's *Cape Argus*, a Cape Town daily newspaper,  reports that the *Oliva* insurers have also chartered a Russian icebreaker, the *Ivan Papanin*, which is due to sail to Tristan this coming weekend, but stated it was not yet clear how many more South Africans would join the clean-up effort as accommodation facilities on Tristan were limited. Latest news from the rehabilitation centre is posted *verbatim* from Katrine Herian's SITREP of 20h00, 28 Monday:   ****28 March 17h30 SAST:** Information in these reports comes from daily SITREPS sent from Tristan da Cunha by Katrine Herian.  Katrine is an [RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/) Project Officer based in the Tristan Conservation Department on a two-year [OTEP](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/index.htm)-funded (Overseas Territories Environment Programme) project entitled [‘Integrated Biodiversity Management Planning on Tristan da Cunha'](http://www.ukotcf.org/infoDB/infoSourcesDetail2.cfm?module=projects&refID=275).  Rather ironically, a project aim is to produce a management plan for Nightingale Island, scene of the oiling disaster when the MS *Oliva*run aground nearly two weeks ago on the early morning of 16 March. The *Oliva*crew has helped with building the outside penguin pen, cleaning out containers for use as a sick bay and lifting boxes of oiled penguins on and off the tractor when the birds arrive at Calshot Harbour on Tristan. They have not been involved in handling or feeding the penguins.  It is understood a ship will be arriving for them at the end of the week. **![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Other_Birds/Other_birds/oiled_penguins_in_pool_estelle_van_der_merwe.jpg "Tristan gives up its swimming pool to penguins. Photograph by Estelle van der Merwe")** ****28 March 08h30 SAST:** Yesterday morning Conservation Officer Trevor Glass reported from the fishing vessel  *Edinburgh* that the oil slick in Petrel Bay on Nightingale Island was still present.  However, no more oil is escaping from the fore or aft sections of the wrecked *Oliva*. The aft section is now completely submerged. A plan is being made to take up to a 1000 unoiled post-moult penguins, which have been penned so they cannot enter the sea and become oiled,  from Inaccessible Island by ship several hours' sailing away and release them at sea.  Since Northern Rockhopper Penguins do not return to their breeding islands post-moult until after winter they should then be able to avoid any oil drifting away from the islands.  A decision in which direction to take the birds and how far away will be made in relation to the direction oil slicks from the wrecked *Oliva* have been moving.  The fisheries patrol boat *Wave Dancer* is on standby to take two extra islanders over to join the Inaccessible team today.  Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe whio arrived on the salvage tug *Smit Amandla* a week ago will accompany them to advise on the operation to take the unoiled penguins out to sea on the *Edinburgh*. A further 253 oiled penguins arrived from Nightingale at the Tristan rehabilitation centre yesterday evening via the Edinburgh's power boats, although heavy swells are continuing to hamper the collection and transfer operations.  The rehabilitation team, led by Tristan Islander Dereck Rogers, fed more than 750 penguins yesterday.  Fishing for penguin food has been taking place from the salvage tug and from the island barge *Sandy Point Express*.  Trevor Glass returned with the penguins and will now be based on Tristan as the rehabilitation centre manager. Ten more helpers joined the core team yesterday evening for training in handling and 'tubing' penguins. When penguins first arrive on Tristan they are dehydrated so are given an electrolyte solution via a tube and syringe. The first 80 of the lightly oiled (less than 20%) penguins have been released into the island swimming pool.  The pool had been partially drained and an access ramp built by Head of Plumbing Stanley Green and his team. The penguins took to the water immediately and were seen diving, splashing and later preening. Marina Burns, the Administrator's wife, has joined the rehabilitation support team and is working closely with Tristan Conservation Department Clerk Kirsty Green to organise personnel for the penguin rehabilitation operation. This is a complex task given that most people on Tristan have several different jobs - as well as fitting in looking after their livestock and potato patches.  **![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed/atlantic_yellow_nosed_albatross_feeding_katrine_herian.jpg)** Estelle van der Merwe from South Africa helps feed "Tristan" the oiled Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross ****27 March 07h30 SAST:** Yesterday's SITREP from RSPB Officer Katrine Herian on Tristan da Cunha brings the important news that the tug *Singapore* is scheduled to depart Cape Town tomorrow (28th) evening with a five-person penguin-cleaning team aboard from the SANCCOB Foundation.  The party is expected to include SANCCOB'S Chief Executive Officer, its rehabilitation station manager and a wildlife vet experienced in treating captive penguins. The *Singapore* should take five days to get to Tristan and is due to arrive over the weekend of 2/3 April.  It will be carrying essential materials for the cleaning operation aboard, including frozen fish by the tonne, medicines, radiant heaters and portable swimming pools and pens, as well as biosecurity equipment for the outer islands such as rodent traps and poison bait.  All equipment is to be new, to avoid the risks of transporting avian diseases to the islands. The [SANCCOB Foundation](http://www.sanccob.co.za/?m=1) (The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) has experience going back over more than four decades in cleaning oiled African Penguins *Spheniscus demersus*, at times with numbers into the low tens of thousands. Other news is that treatment of oiled penguins continues on Tristan with 1400 penguins being fed with six to eight filleted pieces of locally-caught fish.  However, heavy seas are currently hampering the further collection and transport of birds from Nightingale, Middle and Inaccessible Islands.  Meanwhile the crew of the wrecked *Oliva* are being recruited to help prepare facilities for yet more oiled penguins on Tristan. Among the thousand plus penguins a single Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross is under care.  This Nightingale fledgling has been named "Tristan" and is responding well to treatment.  A Broad-billed Prion *Pachyptila vittata* has been found oiled on Nightingale, adding to the list of seabird species known to be affected to date.  Adding to the scale of the disaster the first report of dead fur seals has been made. There remains a pressing need to reach some of the shoreline on the outer islands where penguins breed in large numbers, such as Salt Beach on Inaccessible, made difficult (and dangerous) by the usually rough landing conditions.  Such beaches are only accessible to small inflatable boats and will require all the well-known boating skills of the Tristan Islanders to land upon. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/Petrels/storm_petrel_oiled_thomas_lafaille.shrunk.jpg "An oiled storm petrel that later died and awaits specific identification. Photograph by Katrine Herian")   ****26 March 12h30 SAST:** Go to: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Ujb-_qIeA&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Ujb-_qIeA&feature=related) to view a video clip of the oiling disaster at Tristan da Cunha. Another 755 penguins were brought across from Nightingale Island aboard the MV *Edinburgh* yesterday evening (25th March), giving a total of 1228 penguins now being rehabilitated ashore on Tristan. The Tristan Conservation Department plans to go ashore on Middle (Alex) Island adjacent to Nightingale today to collect and transfer as many oiled penguins as possible to the *Edinburgh* for onward transit to Tristan. Middle Island is a tricky island to land on but its breeding population of 83 000 pairs (in 2006) means it supports 35% of the total penguin population of the Tristan and Gough Islands.  It also had a breeding population of 40 pairs of Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses in December 2009. [Click here](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7928573&fulltextType=RC&fileId=S0032247410000112) to access a recently published scientific paper on the birds of Middle Island. ****25 March 14h00 SAST:** Along with the many oiled Northern Rockhopper Penguins being collected for treatment on Tristan from Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands, an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross ("Molly") has been found oiled and is being treated aboard ship: "it "has been successfully washed and is being kept warm near the vessel's funnel".  The young bird was caught by Trevor Glass, Head of the Tristan Conservation Department after it had fledged from the island on its first flight.  This is only the second report received so far of an albatross affected from the oil spilled by the wrecked *Oliva*. The first batch of oiled penguins brought to Tristan yesterday are being stabilized with fluid, vitamins and charcoal to absorb ingested oil.  Local fish species are being caught to feed them fresh fillets.  The island's swimming pool is being pressed into service to allow lightly-oiled birds to bathe, which encourages them to preen their feathers and thus help restore  waterproofing prior to release.  Cleaning of oiled birds has yet to commence. 529 more oiled penguins are due to be brought to Tristan aboard the *Edinburgh* today from Middle (Alex) and Nightingale Islands. The team on Inaccessible Island team has reported that it has 450 oiled penguins penned from the two colonies at Blenden Hall and Warren's Cliff awaiting transport to Tristan. News from [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivatristan.php) where pictures of the penguins being treated on Tristan may be viewed.  See also [http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/03/tristan-islanders-rally-to-save-oiled-penguins/](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/03/tristan-islanders-rally-to-save-oiled-penguins/). ****24 March 15h30 SAST:** 473 oiled penguins have been transferred on the fishing vessel *Edinburgh* from Nightingale Island to the main island of Tristan da Cunha this morning so their cleaning in the settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas can commence.  They have been placed in a cleared-out PWD shed in the village that will have power, light and fresh water to hand to aid in the cleaning process. Unfortunately, the birds cannot be fed in captivity until a ship can travel from South Africa with a load of frozen fish, along with an experienced cleaning team and other essential supplies.  News of this "second vessel" and its sailing date is still awaited. Oiled penguins being collected on Inaccessible Island await their turn to be transported to the main island of Tristan. Oiled Subantarctic Fur Seal *Arctocephalus tropicalis* pups have now been reported on Nightingale Island (see [http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/23/nightingale-island-oil-spill](http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/23/nightingale-island-oil-spill) for a posted report from a visiting tourist ship, the MV *National Geographic Explorer*, along with a set of pictures of oiled penguins and of the wreck). Information posted today at [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivacleanup.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsolivacleanup.php) confirms that the two sections of the wrecked ship will be left in place to break up further and their salvage will not be attempted.  Although it seems there is now little oil escaping or present around the vessel on the sea surface, the ship's soya bean cargo has been escaping, leading to the description of "soya milk" by the Adminstrator of Tristan da Cunha. ****23 March 15h00 SAST:** Although Tristan's first oiling disaster has so far affected only Northern Rockhopper Penguins in any numbers, there is still concern that other seabird species may become oiled.  Previously a lightly-oiled Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross *Thalassarche chlororhynchos*was seen on Nightingale Island.  Today fishers saw an oiled giant petrel *Macronectes*spp. that was apparently unable to fly, an ACAP-listed taxon,  close inshore near the main island's village.  Three days ago a heavily oiled *Fregetta*storm petrel was caught at sea off Inaccessible Island, but which later died.  A photograph of it will be posted once it can be identified to species by experts. Other observations suggest that flying seabirds, such as Great Shearwaters *Puffinus gravis*, which raft off the outer islands at dusk, may be avoiding the oil slicks.  Response teams travelling by ship and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) between the islands are keeping a careful look-out but have as yet not spotted any oiled albatrosses or shearwaters. A cruise round to the southern coast of Tristan yesterday in his police RIB by Inspector Conrad Glass, author of the book *Rockhopper Copper*,  revealed no oil on the sea or oiled  penguins ashore through binoculars at the several, but small penguin colonies (total *c.* 7000 breeding pairs) that occur on the main island. Above news from Katrine Herian, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ****23 March 06h30 SAST:** The oiled penguin rehabilitation team now waiting in Cape Town for  transport to the Tristan islands has been named in yesterday's daily newspaper *Cape Times*as being put together by the [SANCCOB Foundation](http://www.sanccob.co.za) (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds).  SANCCOB is an internationally recognised leader in seabird rehabilitation with much experience of successfully cleaning oiled African Penguins *Spheniscus demersus*in sometimes very large numbers. SANCCOB has also occasionally attempted rehabiliting other seabird species, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and giant petrels. The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation ([ITOPF](http://www.itopf.org/)) is providing technical advice to the oil spill response.  ITOPF is a not-for-profit organisation established on behalf of the world's shipowners to promote an effective response to marine spills of oil, chemicals and other hazardous substances. Other news is that because of oil pollution around Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands the fishery for Tristan Rock Lobster or Crayfish *Jasus tristani*has been closed until further notice.  Most of the 2010/11 quota had already been caught.  The rock lobster fishing vessel *Edinburgh*has  been instrumental in bringing the crew safely off the grounded *Oliva*and taking them to the main island of Tristan, where they still await a vessel to evacuate them to Cape Town. **![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Other_Birds/Other_birds/oiled_penguins_trevor_glass.jpg "Heavily oiled penguins at the end of their moult on Nightingale Island. Photograph by Trevor Glass, Head, Tristan Conservation Department")**         ****22 March 17h00 SAST:** A request from Tristan is being met in Cape Town by sourcing  100 kg of poison wax blocks and 30 bait stations to add to those already set out on Nightingale.  Rats getting ashore could easily cause the extinction of several species of landbirds (two endemic buntings and a thrush) on the rodent-free island and badly effect the smaller (and perhaps even the larger) seabirds.  Arguably this would ultimately be a larger disaster than that already caused by the huge numbers of penguins oiled.  These new supplies will be be sent on the first available ship - still under negotiation between the UK and South African Governments. A further concern is the heightened risk of new species of alien plants arriving on the islands with all the movements by salvors and  penguin rescuers.  Tristan da Cunha practices strict biosecurity measures when moving to and from and between the uninhabited islands of Nightingale and Inaccessible, including scrubbing boots to get rid of any seeds that might be stuck in their treaded soles and carefully inspecting all packages and parcels before landings are made.  The establishment of alien plants can materially change island ecosystems with potential deleterious effects on their animal life as well. ****22 March 10h30 SAST:** An early morning report from Tristan states that fuel oil is once more visble on the sea surface around Nightingale and is still leaking from the *Oliva*'s hull, thought perhaps still to contain 800 tonnes.  The salvage assessors will be inspecting the forward section of the wreck this morning. Efforts are continuing in Cape Town to charter a second vessel to take out a penguin-cleaning team, with several options being actively explored. ****22 March 07h00 SAST:** The salvage tug *Smit Amandla* reached the wreck site of the *Oliva*on Nightingale Island yesterday afternoon.  The Environmental Assessor aboard, Estelle van der Merwe working with Ocean Satellite Imaging Systems ([OSIS](http://www.osis.co.za/)), estimates that 20 000 oiled penguins are present.  Good news is that no oil on the sea surface was seen around the wreck site, unlike over the past weekend, so perhaps the *Oliva* has stopped leaking. Treatment of oiled penguins ashore on Nightingale is set to start today.  Meanwhile efforts to secure a second vessel to take out out an experienced and fully-equipped oiled penguin-cleaning team are still proceeding in Cape Town ([click here](http://capeargus.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx)). ****21 March 19h00 SAST:** Gough Island, part of the Tristan Group but some 400 km away from the other islands, is today reported as being free of oiled birds, including penguins.  Gough and Inaccessible Islands and their teritorial waters form a single World Heritage Site, and both are formally proclaimed nature reserves and Ramsar Sites of International Importance. ****21 March 16h30 SAST:** The salvage tug *Smit Amandla* is due to arrive at the Tristan islands this afternoon, when it will take aboard the Head of the Tristan Conservation Department, Trevor Glass and proceed to Nightingale and the wreck of the *Oliva*.  There remains a possibility the front part of the broken vessel could still be towed away, which has not yet sunk as has the detached rear section. Meanwhile a conservation team was taken off Inaccessible Island yesterday evening from where they report large amounts of surrounding oil and numbers of oiled penguins coming ashore.  Inaccessible is 22 km away from Nightingale.  A four-person party is due to return in two days' time in an attempt to fence in unoiled moulting penguins (which will not require feeding) until the oil at sea has dispersed.   Similar efforts are to be attempted at Nightingale and Middle Islands if found to be feasible. Rat stations are now in place on Nightingale along the shoreline opposite the wreck as a necessary precautionary measure, in case any rodents swim ashore, although the ship has been reported as rat-free by its Captain.  Nightingale has always been free of alien mammals. New photographs of massed oiled penguins on Nightingale are at the [Tristan da Cunha web site](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php).  Read today's BirdLife International press release on the incident and view more photos at [http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/03/race-to-save-oiled-penguins-after-tanker-strikes-tristan-da-cunha/](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/03/race-to-save-oiled-penguins-after-tanker-strikes-tristan-da-cunha/). Reports of oiling of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, or the lack thereof, are being sought. ****20 March 20h15 SAST:** The MS *Oliva*had broken in half by two days ago and the separated stern section with the bridge and superstructure has capsized and is partially sunk. This means any hope of salvage has gone.  See recent photographs of the wreck as well as of oil on the sea surface at the [Tristan da Cunha web site](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php). ****20 March 14h30 SAST:** Oiled penguins have now been reported from nearby [Inaccessible Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inaccessible_Island), a nature reserve, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and with Tristan's Gough Island, a World Heritage Site.  The island's surrounding territorial waters (out to 12 nautical miles) are included in these two international designations.  Hundreds of oiled penguins have now been seen on Nightingale. Planning for the second vessel with an experienced oil-cleaning team aboard is proceeding apace in Cape Town by way of emergency meetings being held over the long weekend.  News of this activity will be posted soon. ****20 March 01h30 SAST:** The first report of an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross "with oil spots on his chest and abdomen" being sighted on Nightingale Island has been received.  Pictures seen of penguins on the island's steep and rocky shoreline show heavy oiling. Planning for a response team to proceed to the island on the second vessel are proceeding in Cape Town over the weekend. ****19 March 19h15 SAST:** Oiled penguins have now been seen on Nightingale as they come out of the water onto the shore.  As yet no reports of oiled albatrosses or giant petrels have been received. The Administrator of Tristan da Cunha, Sean Burns "reports an awful scene around Nightingale Island with oil from the stricken MS *Oliva*eight miles offshore and more or less around the whole island. The slick ranges from thin films of oil, small balls and larger clumps of tar with the smell of diesel everywhere".  The salvage tug *Smit Amandla*is due to arrive at the island on Monday the 21st. "A second vessel is being chartered by the owners / their insurers to assist in the clean-up operation. The Environmental Adviser aboard the salvage tug may need to make a preliminary assessment before this second vessel sails to ensure correct equipment, materials and staff are on board for this complex operation in the isolated South Atlantic."  Taken from [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php). The Governor of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Andrew Gurr, speaking from St Helena, has said·that the Tristan Government is committed to ensuring that the ship's owners will meet the full cost of any clean-up, damage or subsequent losses arising from the situation. **** 18 March 12h30 SAST:** **"**MS *Oliva*broke her back in the force of a relentless swell and the wreck of the ship's superstructure is now breaking up. Flows of oil are all around Nightingale's coast. The onshore Tristan Conservation Team of Simon Glass, Wayne Swain and Matthew Green are busy assessing damage to Nightingale's seabirds. This late summer season is crucial as all adults are flying daily from their nests to catch fish, squid, etc. to feed their rapidly maturing chicks. The island has no land mammals and is regarded as one of the world's most important wildlife habitats. The World Heritage Sites of Inaccessible and Gough Island may also be at risk from oil pollution.· MV *Edinburgh*will this morning take on board an emergency assessment team which will travel to Nightingale to assess the situation for themselves. We expect a report and photographs later today. The team will be led by Administrator Sean Burns with Chief Islander Ian Lavarello and include Fisheries Officer James Glass, Search and Rescue Police Inspector Conrad Glass and Conservation Officer Trevor Glass."···Taken from [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php). ****18 March· 11h30 SAST:** Latest news from Tristan da Cunha is that the *Viola*has now broken in two and is leaking oil around the island.· The ship was carrying 1500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil.· ****18 March· 09h00 SAST:**··The whole crew has now been taken off the grounded ship.· The salvage tug *Smit Amandla*has left Cape Town with an environmental advisor and equipment to treat oiled birds aboard.· One concern expressed has been that if salvage efforts require the use of powerful night lighting,·it will attract·nocturnally-visiting burrowing petrels which could result in mass fatalities.· The MS *Oliva*is described as being down at the bow with a list to port and with water in her engine room.· She has lost one of·her lifeboats.· The report of "quite a lot of·oil now in Petrel Bay and around the vessel" is·of concern·since large numbers of·[Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=112448) Northern Rockhopper Penguins *Eudyptes moseleyi*are currently present ashore on Nightingale and Middle.· The ACAP-listed albatrosses of Nightingale Island and its two islets are less likely to become oiled, but Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* that visit the island's inshore waters may be at some risk. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/nightingale_petrel_bay_peter_ryan.jpg "Scene of the grounding: Middle and Stoltenhoff Islets taken from Nightingale across Petrel Bay. Photograph by Peter Ryan") ·******************** The Greek-owned bulk carrier MS *Oliva* run aground on 4-km² [Nightingale Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightingale_Island),·part of the UK's Tristan da Cunha Islands in the South Atlantic and home to large populations of albatrosses and other seabirds, in the early morning of 16 March. The heavily-laden 75 300-tonne ship, registered in 2009, was proceeding from Santos in Brazil to Singapore with a cargo of Soya beans.· A salvage tug is to leave Cape Town today and is expected to arrive at Nightingale on the 21st. Meanwhile members of the Tristan Conservation Department are attempting to reach the site of the shipwreck to set rodent traps on the island as a precautionary measure but are currently being hampered by rough seas.· Although the ship's captain has stated it is free of rats, Nightingale is one of the few alien mammal-free islands in the Southern Ocean, and the arrival and establishment of rats would place its seabirds and land birds at severe risk. Early this morning rough seas were also stalling the evacuation of the full complement of the ship's crew to a crayfish fishing vessel that is standing by.· Waves are now starting to break over the grounded ship and the first signs of spilled oil have also been noticed: bad news especially for the island's penguins. Nightingale supports important populations of Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses *Thalassarche chlororhynchos* (*c*. 1000 pairs, endemic to the Tristan Group) and of Sooty Albatrosses *Phoebetria fusca* (*c*. 200 pairs). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Atlantic_Yellow_nosed/atlantic_yellow_nosed_albatrosses_stoltenhoff_islet_by_peter_ryan.jpg "Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses on Stoltenhoff, an islet off Nightingale. Photograph by Peter Ryan") [Click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/tristan_nightingale_manual_tcm9-220540.pdf)·to access the wildlife monitoring manual for Nightingale Island. Follow this developing story and view a panel of dramatic photographs of the grounded *Oliva* at [http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php](http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php), the joint website of the Tristan da Cunha Government and the Tristan da Cunha Association. "Cold, wet and windy day on Tristan da Cunha, with hailstorms during the day. Bad weather prevented any penguins coming off Nightingale or trying to get to Inaccessible today. **Tristan** Conservation Officer Trevor Glass is back on island and has taken over as Centre Manager. The rehabilitation team have fed at least 1200 penguins today. Each penguin is currently getting 6-8 cubes of fresh fish, but this will need to be increased as the penguins get stronger. We will need up to 200 g of fish (raw meat weight) a day for each penguin. With 1614 penguins currently at the rehabilitation centre, this means we will need to catch over 300 kg a day just to keep the current number of penguins fed.  Fresh fish is preferable to frozen fish because the vitamins leach out when frozen. 57 penguins in total have died at the rehabilitation centre since penguins were first admitted on Wednesday 23rd. The *Sandy Point Express* has been out again today trying to catch fish for the penguins, but with the strong winds and heavy swells the catch was limited. **Nightingale** At 11h30 this morning the *Edinburgh* reported heavy seas and swell running. All the hatches of the MV *Oliva*have now come open. The team on Nightingale have been extending the fence around the oiled penguins. Simon Glass reported they had about 500 oiled penguins ready to be transported the 25 miles by sea to Tristan. **Inaccessible** Lourens Malan reported that the team on Inaccessible had fed their first penguin today with fish caught on a line from the beach. They were requesting more handlines. The team spent much of the day repairing fences at the two rookeries where penguins were corralled at Blenden Hall and Warren's Cliff. Seals had broken through sections of the fences allowing some of the corralled penguins to escape.  Bad weather has prevented any boats from getting to Inaccessible to collect penguins. They still have 1400 penguins corralled at Warren's Cliff, 300 of which are oiled, the rest unoiled. The team are corralling unoiled penguins to prevent them going over the oiled shoreline just below where penguins from this colony enter the sea. *Wave Dancer* and *Edinburgh* still on standby to get to Inaccessible at the first possible opportunity to collect penguins, take over extra supplies and further team members, as well as Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 March 2011, last updated 23 August 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/breaking-news-bulk-carrier-ms-oliva-has-run-aground-on-tristans-nightingale-island.md) ## Tsunami death toll for Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses on Midway Atoll increases to over a hundred thousand birds U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officials have now revised markedly upwards their earlier estimates ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/stop-press-hawaiis-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-have-likely-suffered-heavy-losses-in-last-weeks-tsunami)) of wildlife losses at [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/), [Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument](http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/), following the tsunami that washed over the Refuge's three low-lying islands during the night of 10/11 March 2011, that itself followed a massive earthquake off the east coast of Japan. Surveys of the Refuge now reveal that more than 110 000 Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* and Black-footed Albatross *P. nigripes* chicks - about 22% of this year's albatross production on the island - were lost as a result of the tsunami and two severe winter storms that preceded it in January and February ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatrosses-of-midway-americas-favourite-chick-survives-a-storm)). At least 2000 adults were also killed.  It is unknown what proportion of each species is represented in this total, but given the propensity for Black-footed Albatrosses to breed on the perimeter of the atoll the impact on their population may well be proportionally higher than that for Laysan Albatrosses. The Refuge has recently become known for its two "celebrity" albatrosses:  'Wisdom', perhaps the oldest confirmed wild bird in the world, and the Short-tailed Albatross chick on Midway's Eastern Island, which was the first of its kind ever confirmed to be hatched outside of Japan ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/news-from-midway-watch-americas-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-get-fed)). Wisdom, the 60-year-old albatross that recently hatched a chick ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/wisdom-catches-up-with-grandma-a-60-year-old-laysan-albatross-rears-its-chick-on-midway-atoll)), was initially reported as surviving the event because her nest site was not over-washed, but biologists have not as yet been able to confirm her survival.  However, there is a good chance she is out at sea provisioning for her growing chick and her nest site will be monitored closely to determine whether she has survived. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom_midway_by_usfws.jpg "Wisdom on Midway. Has she survived the tsunami? Photograph by USFWS ") The Short-tailed Albatross chick was washed approximately 30 m from its nest, but was later safely returned by Refuge biologists.  This chick's parents, however, have not been seen since the tsunami (they may also have been be at sea when the tsunami hit).  Because the chick is incapable of fending for itself, Refuge staff will carefully consider whether hand-rearing would be appropriate if it is determined that it is no longer being fed by its parents. Midway Atoll is comprised of three islands (Sand, Eastern and Spit) within an outer reef of approximately eight kilometres in diameter.  Following the earthquake, the three islands were pounded by four successive waves, the tallest of which was approximately 1.5 m high.  The tsunami over-washed the fringing reef and Spit Island completely, and covered approximately 60% of Eastern Island and 20% of Sand Island.  For comparison, in early January, Spit Island held 1498 Laysan and 22 Black-footed albatross nests.  After losses from the 14 January and 11 February storms and from the March tsunami, only four albatross chicks remain on Spit. Midway biologists also initially estimated that thousands of Bonin Petrels *Pterodroma hyopoleuca* were lost, but they have since been unable to confirm a more accurate number due to the species' behaviour of breeding underground.  Their burrows are not as extensively mapped as are the albatross nests.  A few deaths of other adult seabirds were also reported, including Red-tailed Tropicbirds *Phaethon rubricauda*, Red-footed Boobies *Sula sula* and Great Frigatebirds *Fregata minor*. The death toll is likely to continue to rise for both albatross species as many of the surviving chicks were moved great distances from their nest bowls, which will make it difficult for their parents to find and feed them.  It will thus likely be some months before the true impact of the tsunami on Midway becomes known. Tsunami images from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and [Laysan Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laysan) are available for viewing at [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/collections/72157626288933504/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/collections/72157626288933504/).  The above account has been summarized and adapted from a [USFWS news release](http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=FWS&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=113224&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=True).  *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent 21 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds.md) ## Forty percent of the 2008 cohort has come home: two more translocated Short-tailed Albatrosses return to Mukojima With parlous news this month about North Pacific albatrosses dying in their tens of thousands from the effects of the tsunami and for South Atlantic seabirds from a ship running aground and spilling oil around Nightingale Island, it is pleasing to report instead of a continuing success story that may well be destined to result in the establishment of a new breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* on Japan's Mukojima Island. Followers of this web site's news will know that each year since 2008 STAL chicks have been taken from Torishima and hand-reared until fledging on Mukojima Island in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands. This year for the first time colour-banded birds from the first cohort of 10 chicks have started returning to the artificial colony as four-year-olds, interacting with the latest batch of chicks and also engaging in courtship displays with one another (including between females). In the last few days two more"2008-ers" have arrived on the island and been seen displaying and interacting ashore, bringing the numbers of their cohort that have returned to date to four, a rate of 40%.  Let's hope more will arrive in time. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_dance1_noboru_chikira.jpg "Translocated Short-tailed Albatrosses engage in mutual display on Mukojima. Photograph by Noboru Chikira ") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-waltz-on-mukojima-short-tailed-albatrosses-engage-in-courtship-display-at-the-translocation-site) to access earlier stories on the translocated albatrosses. With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi for information *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/forty-percent-of-the-2008-cohort-has-come-home-two-more-translocated-short-tailed-albatrosses-return-to-mukojima.md) ## UPDATED Bye-bye ratties and bunnies? Progress with alien eradications on two Southern Ocean islands **Macquarie Island** **UPDATE 27 March: **[Click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/this-week-in-antarctica/2011/no-room-at-the-inn) to read about preparation activities on the island prior to the arrival of the MIPEP team next month.  On 20 April the *Aurora Australis* is due to arrive at the island to restart the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Programme ([MIPEP](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=12997)) following last year's failed attempt due to unrelenting poor weather that kept the helicopters grounded for weeks ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/macquarie-island-alien-eradication-exercise-called-off-for-this-year-due-to-bad-weather)). Twenty-eight [Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/ ) staff and contractors and four Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil "[Squirrel](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS350)" helicopters will undertake the 2011 aerial bait-laying phase of the eradication of Macquarie's rats, mice and rabbits. Earlier TASPARKS rangers based on the island have observed a reduction in rabbit numbers following the recent release of [rabbit haemorrhagic disease](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_haemorrhagic_disease) virus (rabbit calicivirus) in hand-spread carrots as a preliminary form of biocontrol prior to the recommencement of helicopter baiting ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-first-rabbit-at-macquarie-island-succumbs-to-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease)).  Since distribution of the virus commenced, rabbit numbers have been very significantly reduced across the island, and in Hasselborough Bay numbers seen have decreased to zero.  Reduction of rabbit numbers prior to dropping poison bait this year is an attempt to reduce the high numbers of birds killed as a result of secondary poisoning ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/male-northern-giant-petrels-are-at-risk-from-secondary-poisoning-on-macquarie-island)) during and following the aborted 2010 eradication effort. Once aerial baiting is complete, highly-trained hunting dogs will scour the island to locate any surviving rabbits.  Field work to complete rabbit eradication is expected to take up to five years. News from [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?sys=News Article&intID=2225](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?sys=News Article&intID=2225) and [http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/macquarie-vegetarion_recovery_justine_shaw_by_aleks_terauds.jpg "Macquarie Island. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)*** Phase One of the aerial baiting programme to eradicate rats from this South Atlantic island is nearly complete, according to No.6 of its newsletter *Project News*, issued this month. Baiting commenced on 1 March and good weather (unlike at Macquarie in 2010) has allowed aerial baiting to proceed apace and by the middle of the month all three of the major objectives of Phase 1 (Greene and Thatcher Peninsulas and Mercer Bay) had been treated.  This leaves only Saddle Island (estimated as only a half day's flying) to receive poison bait. The next stage of the programme is to continue to raise the funding required to eradicate rats from a further 80 000 ha of the island. Post-bait monitoring of non-target species is scheduled to be carried out in April.  Equipment will then be prepared for storage and the eradication team will depart. [Click here](http://www.sght.org/news-and-publications) to access the operational plan and previous newsletters for this eradication exercise. News from [http://www.sght.org/sites/default/files/HR%20Newsletter%20mid-March%202011.pdf](http://www.sght.org/sites/default/files/HR%20Newsletter%20mid-March%202011.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 March 2011, updated 27 March 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/bye-bye-ratties-and-bunnies-progress-with-alien-eradications-on-two-southern-ocean-islands.md) ## More good news. Wisdom, Midway's 60-year-old Laysan Albatross survives the tsunami The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on 21 March that ["Wisdom"](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/wisdom-catches-up-with-grandma-a-60-year-old-laysan-albatross-rears-its-chick-on-midway-atoll ) the 60-year-old Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis*, has returned to feed its chick on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, thus surviving the tsunami that has killed so many albatrosses on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom_john_klavitter.jpg "Wisdom with her chick before the tsunami struck Midway. Photograph by John Klavitter") In the face of tremendous losses of Laysan and Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatrosses at the Refuge - including an estimated 110 000 chicks and 2000 adults - to the tsunami that over-washed portions of the Refuge, biologists are thrilled to discover that Wisdom survived, said Barry Stieglitz, Project Leader for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. "Although wildlife biologists generally manage at the level of populations," Stieglitz said, "we, too, become entwined in the fates of individual animals.  Wisdom is one such special creature.  She has also provided us valuable information about the longevity of these beautiful birds - in her case over 60 years - and reinforces the importance of breeding adults in the population. It's also very humbling to know this bird has been producing chicks longer than I have been alive." The Refuge's other "celebrity" albatross' fate remains uncertain.  The parents of the [Short-tailed Albatross *P. albatrus* chick](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatrosses-of-midway-americas-favourite-chick-survives-a-storm) hatched on Midway's Eastern Island in January have yet to be seen.  The chick - the first of its species hatched at Midway - was washed approximately 100 feet from its nest by the tsunami, but was later safely returned by Refuge biologists.  Since the chick is incapable of fending for itself, the Service will carefully consider whether hand-rearing this bird is appropriate if it is determined that it is not being fed by its parents.  It is believed these parents are at sea, gathering food for their chick like Wisdom was, and will be seen again. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_chick_john_klavitter.jpg "Midway's Short-tailed Albatross chick, now waiting for its parents to return after the tsunami. Photograph by John Klavitter") Tsunami images from Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Laysan Island are available at: [www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/collections/7215762628.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/collections/72157626288933504/) The above news has been taken, slightly adapted, from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/5546703373/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/5546703373/) with thanks.  Visit this site to see a picture of Wisdom with her chick after the tsunami. With thanks also to Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/more-good-news-wisdom-midways-60-year-old-laysan-albatross-survives-the-tsunami.md) ## The Fifth WWF Smart Gear Competition to reduce fisheries bycatch calls for entries The World Wide Fund for Nature ([WWF](http://wwf.panda.org/)) has announced the launch of its **2011 International Smart Gear Competition** to find innovative ways to reduce the amount of fisheries bycatch. Open to anyone from fishers to backyard inventors and students, the competition is open from 1 March to 31 August 2011 ([click here](http://www.smartgear.org/)). The competition aims to identify real-world fishing solutions that allow fishers to fish smarter while helping to maintain ocean health, including by reducing the bycatch of seabirds such as ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. The 2011 International Smart Gear Competition is offering a grand prize of US$ 30 000 and two US$ 10 000 runner-up prizes.  Additionally, in partnership with the [International Seafood Sustainability Foundation](http://iss-foundation.org/), the competition is offering a US$ 7500 special tuna prize that will be awarded to the idea that will reduce the amount of bycatch found in tuna fisheries. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_04_Fig2.jpg) Initiated in 2004, the biennial WWF International Smart Gear Competition is taking place for the fifth time. [Click here](http://www.smartgear.org/smartgear_winners/) to view the previous winners of the competition.  The [2009 grand prize](http://www.smartgear.org/smartgear_winners/2009/grand_prize_winner_2009/) was awarded for the design of an underwater-baited hook designed to reduce the mortality of seabirds (including ACAP-listed species of albatrosses and petrels). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-fifth-wwf-smart-gear-competition-to-reduce-fisheries-bycatch-calls-for-entries.md) ## Counting breeding Southern Giant Petrels by yacht on islands in the maritime Antarctic In January this year the charter motor yacht *[Golden Fleece](http://www.horizon.co.fk/goldenfleecexp/english/index_en.htm)* travelled to the little-visited South Sandwich Islands (Islas Sandwich del Sur)* in the maritime Antarctic to undertake seabird and marine mammal surveys ([click here](http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28h%29Seabird_and_marine_mammal_surveys)). Landings by rubber inflatable boat were made on no less than 10 of the 11 islands in the group.  Although ACAP-listed Southern *Macronectes giganteus* and Northern *M. halli*Giant Petrels were seen ashore on most of them, breeding, restricted to Southerns, was recorded on only two of the islands visited. **Southern Giant Petrel** Present throughout the islands this species was very much a feature of penguin colonies where birds were observed scavenging and preying upon penguins both onshore and in coastal waters. The large colony on Candlemas Island was counted on 17 January with 1682 occupied nests on the northern Breakbones Plateau.  A further 136 nests were found in the south-west of the island, to give a total of 1818 breeding pairs.  A total of 64 occupied nests was counted on 11 and 12 January on the ash plains at the northern end of Zavodovski Island, making an overall total of 1882 breeding pairs for the whole island group. The most recent counts of breeding Southern Giant Petrels in the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Sandwich del Sur )* were of 1516 pairs on Candlemas and 25 pairs on Zavodovski in January 1997 (Convey *et al*. 1997, Patterson *et al*. 2008).  Breeding has not been recorded on any of the other islands in the group.  The 2011 total is higher than that of the 1996/1997 breeding season (1541 pairs), but should not be taken as necessarily reflecting a population change. White-morph birds were noted at several sites, with a small percentage (3-5%) of breeding birds at Candlemas being of this morph. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for the Southern Giant Petrel. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/southern_giant_petrel_candlemas_ andy_ black.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel on Candlemas Island. Photograph by Andy Black") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/southern_giant_petrel_ chick_ candlemas_ andy_black.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel chick on Candlemas Island. Photograph by Andy Black") **Northern Giant Petrel** Northern Giant Petrels were recorded inshore and in coastal waters of all the islands, frequently observed scavenging and preying upon penguins.  The largest number recorded was 25 birds at Irving Point on Visokoi Island.  No breeding was observed, nor has it previously. **References:** CONVEY, P., MORTON, A. & PONCET, J. 1999.  Survey of marine birds and mammals of the South Sandwich Islands.  [*Polar Record*35: 107-124](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5423024). PATTERSON, D.L., WOEHLER, E.J., CROXALL, J.P., COOPER, J., PONCET, S., PETER, H.-U., HUNTER, S. & FRASER, W.R. 2008.  Breeding distribution and population status of the Northern Giant Petrel *Macronectes halli*and Southern Giant Petrel *M. giganteus. [Marine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_2/36_2_115-124.pdf)*[36: 115-124](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_2/36_2_115-124.pdf).  [Click here](http://www.marineornithology.org/abs/36_2/36_2_115-124_appendices.pdf) for the paper's separate appendices with historical count data. With thanks to Andy Black for information, who undertook the counts with assistance from Richard White of *[Oceanites](http://www.oceanites.org/)*. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 March 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/counting-breeding-southern-giant-petrels-by-yacht-on-islands-in-the-maritime-antarctic.md) ## Happy Birthday! The Amsterdam Albatross has been a good species since the Pleistocene, a quarter of a million years ago Derek Rains of the [Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge](http://www.uleth.ca/fas/bio/), Canada and colleagues have studied the genetic status of the small global population of the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3953) Amsterdam Albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis*, endemic to the French island of Amsterdam in the southern Indian Ocean, and have concluded that it is a good species.  The abstract of their paper, published in January in the [*Journal of Avian Biology*](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1600-048X)follows. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Amsterdam/Amsterdam_Albatross_by_Scott_Shaffer.jpg "Amsterdam Albatross. Photograph by Scott Shaffer") **Abstract** "Wandering albatrosses have been subjected to numerous taxonomic revisions due to discoveries of new species, analyses of morphological data and, more recently, the inclusion of genetic data.  The small population of albatrosses (170 individuals including 26 pairs breeding annually) on Amsterdam Island in the Indian Ocean, *Diomedea amsterdamensis*, has been given species status based on plumage and morphometrics, but genetic data published to date provide weak support and its specific status remains controversial for some authors.  We used mitochondrial control region sequence data to elucidate the relationship of the Amsterdam albatross within the wandering albatross complex (*Diomedea amsterdamensis, D. antipodensis, D. dabbenena* and *D. exulans*).  Three novel haplotypes were present in 35 individuals from Amsterdam Island, and were highly divergent (3.6-7.3%) from haplotypes found in the other three members of the wandering albatross complex.  Low levels of genetic variation in Amsterdam albatross likely resulted, at least in part, from a population bottleneck.  Geographic isolation in the wandering albatross complex is maintained by high natal philopatry.  As Amsterdam Island is the only breeding ground for this critically endangered species, we strongly urge conservation efforts in the area, especially in relation to long line fisheries and other threats such as disease and introduced predators, and it be listed as a distinct species." **Reference:** Rains, D. Weimerskirch, H. & Burg, T.M. 2011.  Piecing together the global population puzzle of wandering albatrosses: genetic analysis of the Amsterdam albatross *Diomedea amsterdamensis*.  [*Journal of Avian Biology* 42: 69-79](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/publipdf/2011/RJAB42_2011.pdf). [Click here](http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9421000/9421647.stm) and [here](http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Rats+fishing+hooks+threaten+isolated+branch+albatross+Canadian/4491472/story.html) for news stories on this scientific publication. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/happy-birthday-the-amsterdam-albatross-has-been-a-good-species-since-the-pleistocene-a-quarter-of-a-million-years-ago.md) ## I thought my nose was yellow until I saw yours! An Indian Yellow-nosed and a Buller's Albatross meet up in Tasmania Indian Yellow-nosed *Thalassarche carteri* and Buller's *T. bulleri*Albatrosses come from rather different parts of the World.  The former breeds at French and South African islands in the southern Indian Ocean, the latter is endemic to New Zealand. Yet at times both species can be seen together at sea as in the accompanying photographs taken off Tasmania's south-east coast (off Fortescue Bay on the Tasman Peninsula) on an 8 March trip this year with [Tasman Island Cruises](http://www.tasmancruises.com.au/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Bullers/bullers-indian-yellow-nosed- albatrosses_fortescue_bay_tasmania_susan_wood_1.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Bullers/bullers-indian-yellow-nosed- albatrosses_fortescue_bay_tasmania_susan_wood_2.jpg "Buller's and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses together off Tasmania. Photographs by Susan Wood") Both species are primarily winter visitors to Australian waters.  Buller's Albatrosses are the less commonly observed of the two species, at least off New South Wales ([click here](http://www.sossa-international.org/Pages/Side%20Pages/WollongongBirdingGuide.htm)). With thanks to Barry Baker and Mike Double for information and to Luke Finley for forwarding Susan Wood's photographs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/i-thought-my-nose-was-yellow-until-i-saw-yours-an-indian-yellow-nosed-and-a-bullers-albatross-meet-up-in-tasmania.md) ## UPDATED First 2009-cohort Short-tailed Albatross comes back to Mukojima Once more heartening news comes from Japan's Mukojima Island where since 2008 efforts have been made to establish a new breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus*. For the last four years chicks have been translocated from Torishima, 350 km away, and hand-fed in an artificial colony on Mukojima until they fledge.  A total of 55 chicks has been translocated, with the 2011 cohort still present on the island. Over the last few weeks colour-banded birds from the 2008 cohort have been landing at the colony site - four out of the 10 fledglings so far - and have interacted with both the 2011 chicks and with each other, engaging in mutual displays. Latest news is of the first bird from the 2009 cohort of 15 chicks to return to the island.  Red Y24 is a two-year-old male, based on genetic analysis, and was photographed at the translocation site on 26 March. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/short-tailed_abatross_y24_mukojima_26_mar2011_tomohio_deguchi.jpg "Red Y24 brakes for a safe landing on Mukojima. Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi") Search this web site with "Mukojima" to read a number of earlier news items on this important translocation exercise. With continued thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi, [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/toppage.html) for information. **************** A translation from a Japanese [news item](http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/110328/trd11032816030011-n1.htm) follows,with thanks to Kiyoaki Ozaki and Chuck Pell.  **First Ever Two-year Old Short-tailed Albatross****Returns to Mukojima**  On 28 March the Ministry of Environment announced that a Special National Natural Treasure Short-tailed Albatross (STAL) observed at Mukojima, Ogasawara Islands, proved to be a two-year old male that had fledged from the island after translocation from the Torishima, Izu Islands nesting site 350 kilometres away as part of effort to guard against extinction.  Between 2600 and 2800 STALs inhabit Torishima, but fears of extinction from eruptions in the island's volcanically active environment led to a project that started in 2008 that translocated birds as chicks from Torishima to Mukojima, anticipating that the migratory birds' homing instinct would lead them to return to Mukojima to establish a new breeding colony there.  Return of birds from the project to Mukojima began with the arrival of a three-year old male this year on 10 February, and continued through 17 March with the return of three additional STALs, all three-year-olds.  Yamashina Institute for Ornithology Deputy Director General Kiyoaki Ozaki commented, "Since the Institute has been observing STALs, this is the first two-year old to have returned.  Perhaps it has something to do with the good nutrition associated with the chicks' being hand-raised on Mukojima."  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 March 2011, updated 30 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/first-2009-cohort-short-tailed-albatross-comes-back-to-mukojima.md) ## Tracking interactions between individual fishing vessels and Black-browed Albatrosses in real-time José Granadeiro of the [Museu Nacional de História Natural, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal](http://www.mnhn.ul.pt/) and colleagues have published on-line in the open-access journal *[PloS ONE](http://www.plosone.org/home.action)* a study that uses high-resolution tracking data from both birds and vessels to provide a comprehensive picture of the nature and extent of fisheries interactions with the Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris*. The paper's abstract follows: "Fisheries have major impacts on seabirds, both by changing food availability and by causing direct mortality of birds during trawling and longline setting.  However, little is known about the nature and the spatial-temporal extent of the interactions between individual birds and vessels.  By studying a system in which we had fine-scale data on bird movements and activity, and near real-time information on vessel distribution, we provide new insights on the association of a threatened albatross with fisheries.  During early chick-rearing, black-browed albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* from two different colonies (separated by only 75 km) showed significant differences in the degree of association with fisheries, despite being nearly equidistant to the Falklands fishing fleet.  Most foraging trips from either colony did not bring tracked individuals close to vessels, and proportionally little time and foraging effort was spent near ships.  Nevertheless, a few individuals repeatedly visited fishing vessels, which may indicate they specialise on fisheries-linked food sources and so are potentially more vulnerable to bycatch.  The evidence suggests that this population has little reliance on fisheries discards at a critical stage of its nesting cycle, and hence measures to limit fisheries waste on the Patagonian shelf that also reduce vessel attractiveness and the risk of incidental mortality, would be of high overall conservation benefit." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/trawl_bba_neil_anders.jpg "Black-browed Albatrosses gather behind a trawler. Photograph by Neil Anders") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/trawl_neil_anders.jpg "Albatrosses scavenge from a trawl. Photograph by Neil Anders") **Reference:** Granadeiro, J.P., Phillips, R.A., Brickle, P. & Catry, P. 2011.  Albatrosses following fishing vessels: how badly hooked are they on an easy meal?  [*PLoS ONE* 6(3): e17467. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017467](http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0017467). P.S.  For those among us who have been wondering what the journal name means:  "*PLoS ONE* is published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), a nonprofit organization". *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/tracking-interactions-between-individual-fishing-vessels-and-black-browed-albatrosses-in-real-time.md) ## Into the 21st Century? The ACAP web site joins Facebook ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Logos/acap logo no txt 2x3.jpg) [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Logos/facebook.jpg)](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Agreement-on-the-Conservation-of-Albatrosses-and-Petrels/153904041336670) Regular readers of news items posted to this web site may now elect instead to receive them via Facebook. [Click here](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Agreement-on-the-Conservation-of-Albatrosses-and-Petrels/153904041336670) to access ACAP's Facebook home page, where you can post (preferably substantive) comments on the news stories if you so wish. To date the web site has only 45 ‘Facebook friends'.  But this is number is expected to grow, as those already signed up tell their own  friends and colleagues about it. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/into-the-21st-century-the-acap-web-site-joins-facebook.md) ## SCAR Expert Group on Birds and Marine Mammals releases meeting report The Expert Group on Birds and Marine Mammals (EG-BAMM) of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research ([SCAR](http://www.scar.org/)) has recently released the minutes of its meeting held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 1 August 2010 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/scar-expert-group-on-birds-and-marine-mammals-meets-this-week-in-ba ) for an earlier report of the meeting).  The meeting was attended by 20 participants from eight countries. Discussions included developments with the [Expert Group's web site](http://www.egbamm.scar.org/), which is planned to host the following: Database on publications dealing with top predators from the Southern Ocean; Database on tracking data of top predators; and Database of EG-BAMM members aimed at facilitating networking within the community. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/I/Indian_Yellow_nosed/indian_yellow_nosed_albatross_marion_island_by_nico_de_bruyn.jpg "Fledgling Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross ashore on Marion Island. Photograph by Nico de Bruyn") The Chief Officer of EG-BAMM is Mark Hindell (Australia) and its Secretary is Jan Ropert-Coudert (France) who together work with nine members from seven other countries.  EG-BAMM was established by amalgamating the former SCAR Groups of Experts on Birds and on Seals. Requests to receive the minutes (which are not available on-line) should be sent to Yan Ropert-Coudert at [yan.ropert-coudert@c-strasbourg.fr](mailto:yan.ropert-coudert@c-strasbourg.fr). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/scar-expert-group-on-birds-and-marine-mammals-releases-meeting-report.md) ## Hawaii's first predator-proof fence is completed, and a ‘high island' Laysan Albatross breeding colony is now safe from predators The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources ([DLNR](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr)) has completed construction of the first predator-proof fence in the Hawaiian Islands, and in the United States, at the [Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/oahu/kaenapoint ) on Oahu.  Spanning 700 m in length and running across a coastal peninsula, it provides a safe habitat for numerous seabirds, including several hundred Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* and thousands of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus pacificus*, as well as 11 endangered plant species. Unlocked double-door gates have been installed at major entry-ways to allow continued use of the reserve seven days a week for hiking, bird-watching, fishing, cultural practices and volunteer work. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/kaena_point_fence_completed_lindsay_young.jpg "Part of the completed fence at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") The predator-proof fence will keep predators such as cats, dogs, mongooses, rats and mice out of the reserve so that native species, including the breeding population of Laysan Albatrosses, can flourish.  Because the recent tsunami caused the loss of more than a hundred thousand albatrosses on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tsunami-death-toll-for-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-on-midway-atoll-increases-to-over-a-hundred-thousand-birds)), the necessity for elevated breeding areas such as Ka‘ena Point is apparent, especially in the light of expected sea level rise due to climate change. The protected area is now close to being free of predators as a result of intensive baiting and trapping efforts.  Before construction the reserve had feral dogs, cats, mongooses, rats and mice within it and predation rates approached 15% of fledgling birds each year despite intensive predator control.  Scientific monitoring of all aspects of the habitat, from seabird reproductive success to plant recruitment to soil nutrients, is being undertaken to track the results of the fence over time.  Methods are in place to detect if pests have re-entered the reserve so that a rapid response can be implemented in the event of a pest breach. Although an overwhelming majority of people who have visited Ka‘ena Point has been in strong support of the project, modifications to the design have been made to address concerns expressed, including the installation of a third walk-through gate. With the completion of the fence it is hoped that the populations of breeding seabirds will increase and that small petrel species currently unable to utilize the reserve as a result of predation pressure will begin nesting within it. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_kaena_point_2__lindsay_young.jpg "Breeding Laysan Albatrosses at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") The project has been made possible by a partnership among the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](http://www.fws.gov/), and the [Hawai‘i Chapter of the Wildlife Society](http://www.tws-west.org/hawaii/).  Funding was provided by the USFWS through its coastal programme for the fence construction and public outreach.  The [David and Lucile Packard Foundation](http://www.packard.org/home.aspx) funded the biological monitoring and pest removal.  For more information visit the [Ka'ena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project](http://www.restorekaena.org). Search on Kaena Point on this web site to read earlier stories on the reserve and its predator-proof fence. *Lindsay Young, ACAP North American News Correspondent, 2 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/hawaiis-first-predator-proof-fence-is-completed-and-a-high-island-laysan-albatross-breeding-colony-is-now-safe-from-predators.md) ## Uruguay reports on its mitigation research to reduce the mortality of albatrosses and petrels from long-line fishing The latest issue (No. 8 of March 2011) of *Boletín Atlántico Sur*, the bulletin of Proyecto Albatros y Petreles - Uruguay is now available on-line at [http://www.cicmar.org.uy/proyectos/pap/bas](http://www.cicmar.org.uy/proyectos/pap/bas). The 12-page bulletin is written in Spanish but the articles carry English summaries.  Two articles report on Uruguayan research to reduce the mortality of albatrosses and petrels caught on long-line hooks.  The first article is entitled "La línea espantapájaros: resultados de una investigación en palangreros uruguayos" and shows that the use of bird-scaring streamer ‘tori' lines reduced seabird mortality to zero on eight fishing trips. The second article "La cápsula de calado submarino: una invención para resolver la captura incidental de aves marinas en palangre pelágico" reports on at-sea trials of an under-water setting capsule designed to take the baited hooks out of the reach of seabirds.  This work is a collaborative effort with the [Australian Antarctic Division](http://www.antarctica.gov.au). and [Amerro Engineering](http://www.amerro.com.au/) along with the Uruguayan National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (La Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; [DINARA](http://www.dinara.gub.uy/web_dinara/)). Three field trips were undertaken in Uruguayan waters over September-October 2010 on the pelagic long-liner F/V *Qian Lian 2*and gave promising results relating to the applicability of the capsule to pelagic long-line fisheries worldwide.  The design of the under-water capsule has previously won its Australian inventors (Phil Ashworth and Graham Robertson) a prestigious award from the [WWF International Smart Gear Competition](http://www.smartgear.org) ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/australian-team-wins-smart-gear-competition-with-underwater-bait-launcher)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) Back-numbers of *Boletín Atlántico Sur *are also available at the same web site. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 April 2012* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/uruguay-reports-on-its-mitigation-research-to-reduce-the-mortality-of-albatrosses-and-petrels-from-long-line-fishing.md) ## UPDATED, No fooling about on 1 April! Return rate of Short-tailed Albatrosses to Mukojima from the 2008 translocation cohort reaches 60% It's all go on Mukojima in the Japanese Ogasawara islands.  Two more colour-banded Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* from the 2008 cohort have now been reported visiting the translocation site where attempts are being made to create a new breeding colony on the non-volcanically active island. Red Y07 (male) and Red Y10 (female) were seen ashore on the first of this month (April Fools' Day) where they were photographed engaging in a mutual display.  Previously seen Red Y01 was also present.  This brings the number of returned birds from the 2008 cohort translocated as chicks from Torishima to six out of 10 - or 60%. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_y07y10_mukojima_tomohiro_deguchi.jpg) Y07 and Y10 get friendly on Mukojima, watched by two translocated chicks of the 2011 cohort on the right and by a plastic model adult on the left.  Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi So far one bird of the 2009 cohort of 15 translocated chicks has returned to Mukojima ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-2009-cohort-short-tailed-albatross-comes-back-to-mukojima)). Red Y10 was previously observed and identified from a video photograph that showed its colour band on  4 August 2010 near Seguam Pass in the eastern central Aleutian Islands by Rob Suryan and  a Japanese TV crew.  For another record of a Mukojima STAL seen at sea after fledging [click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/translocated-short-tailed-albatross-chick-from-japan-photographed-off-california-five-months-later)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatrosses_aleutians_rob_suryan.jpg) Red Y10 spotted at sea of the Aleutians (bird on the left)  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/short-tailed_albatross_y10_aleutians_nhk_tv_celebration.jpg)  Rob Suryan and NHK TV crew celebrate with the confirming video picture on the screen above them. Photographs by Rob Suyran (upper) and Tomoo Sono (lower) To access a scientific paper in the journal *Deep-Sea Research* detailing at-sea sightings of STALs near the Aleutians [click here](http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17920240). With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi and Rob Suryan for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 April 2011, updated 5 April 2011* * * [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/no-fooling-about-on-1-april-return-rate-of-short-tailed-albatrosses-to-mukojima-from-the-2008-translocation-cohort-reaches-60.md) ## The Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross still breeds on Inaccessible Island The [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* is endemic to the United Kingdom's Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic.  Practically the whole species' population breeds on Gough Island (where it is seriously at risk from introduced mice), with that of the main island of Tristan long extinct.  However, a tiny remnant population continues to cling on to Inaccessible Island, although the last documented breeding attempt on this little-visited island was back in 2000, when just one breeding pair was present. In early 2009 [a single bird](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/does-the-tristan-albatross-still-breed-on-inaccessible-island-updated) was seen displaying on an empty nest on the island.  Later in the year but in the next season [a male](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/successfully-counting-spectacled-petrels-inaccessible-island-expedition-returns-to-cape-town) was seen on an empty nest.  However, timing and duration of these two visits was such that breeding in both seasons could have occurred but have gone unrecorded. Confirmation that the Tristan Albatross still breeds on Inaccessible now comes from visits made this year by RSPB Project Officer Katrine Herian and Lourens Malan, both currently working with the Tristan Conservation Department. During a six-day visit in February five Tristan Albatrosses were observed on the ground on the island's plateau.  A courting pair was observed at an empty nest on the slopes of Cairn Peak.  Most importantly, a banded bird (J-12652; deemed to be a male from its photograph, see below) was incubating an egg on Gony Ridge.  A fifth bird was sitting nearby. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_albatross_pair_inaccessible_lourens_malan.jpg). The Tristan Albatross pair on Cairn Peak, February 2011.  The male is thought to be the bird on the right, the female on the left.  Photograph by Lourens Malan ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_albatross_19_2_11_inaccessible_lourens_malan.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_abatross_incubating_inaccessible_2_katrine_herian.jpg) The incubating pair on Gony Ridge.  The top banded bird is the assumed male, photographed in February, the bottom unbanded bird the female, photographed in March.  Photographs by Katrine Herian and Lourens Malan J-12652 was banded on Inaccessible on 30 December 1999, sitting on an empty nest on the north side of Gony Ridge, by Peter Ryan of the University of Cape Town's FitzPatrick Institute. On a return visit on 15 March the unbanded assumed female of the pair was incubating.  A post-winter visit is planned to follow the fortunes of this single breeding attempt, the first definite record for Inaccessible Island for more than a decade, and to band the chick if present. Given the now well-known effects of mice on Gough's Tristan Albatross chicks, it is absolutely critical that World Heritage Inaccessible Island remains rodent-free, and so keeping to best-practice biosecurity procedures during all landings made is of paramount importance. This includes during visits being made right now in regard to the Nightingale oiling disaster. [Click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/227979-tristan-da-cunha-programme#downloads) to access the new management plan and the bird monitoring manual for Inaccessible Island. With thanks to Katrine Herian and Peter Ryan for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross-still-breeds-on-inaccessible-island.md) ## World Migratory Bird Day falls over 14/15 May 2011: get involved! [World Migratory Bird Day](http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2011/) was initiated in 2006 as a global awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.  On the second weekend of Maypeople around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and bird-watching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and to help raise awareness around a specific theme. World Migratory Bird Day activities take place in many different countries and places, but are all linked through a single global campaign and theme.  Anyone interested in organising an event to mark World Migratory Bird Day is encouraged to register their activity at [http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2011/](http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2011/).  In this way, individual events can be shared with others around the world and help inspire them to get involved. The theme for 14/15 May 2011 ["Land use changes from a bird's-eye view"](http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2011/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=5) centres on the conversion of natural areas into agricultural land, the construction of buildings, roads and dams, or deforestation are just some examples for the human use of land, also known as land use.  Land use and land-management practices have a major impact on natural resources including water, soil, nutrients, plants and animals.  Migratory bird populations are particularly sensitive to land use and studies reveal that this is the major threat they are facing. Although many ACAP-listed species breed on uninhabited islands there are localities where they interact with land-use activities in the broad sense such as farming, ranching and environmental tourism, and at sea, fishing. Those among us interested in the conservation of albatrosses and petrels and their habitats should consider organizing an event to feature these charismatic birds.  All the species listed within the Agreement are migratory, in the sense that they cross international boundaries while foraging at sea, including travelling from national into international waters. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/B/Black/Black_Petrel_by_Dept_of_Conservation_New_Zealand.jpg "Black Petrel. Photograph by the New Zealand Department of Conservation")](http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2011/) World Migratory Bird Day is a global initiative devoted to celebrating migratory birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide.  It is organized by the Secretariats of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement ([AEWA](http://www.unep-aewa.org/)) and the Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) - two international wildlife treaties administered by the United Nations Environment Programme ([UNEP](http://www.unep.org/)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/world-migratory-bird-day-falls-over-1415-may-2011-get-involved.md) ## South African expedition sails south this week to undertake research on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels at sub-Antarctic Marion Island The *[S.A. Agulhas](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_agulhas.html )*, South Africa's Antarctic research and supply ship, sailed from Cape Town for [Marion Island](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_marion/sanap_marion.html) in the southern Indian Ocean on Tuesday this week to undertake the annual relief of the newly opened new meteorological/research base at Transvaal Cove. Among the many research groups aboard is one led by [Peter Ryan](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/peter.html) of the University of Cape Town's [Percy FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/index.html).  Working in conjunction with personnel from the South African Government's [Department of Environmental Affairs](http://www.environment.gov.za/), a team of six will undertake research on a number of seabird species during the three weeks the ship is at the island, as summarized below for ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels: **Wandering Albatross** *Diomedea exulans*:  Blood samples will be collected from chicks in study colonies for sexing and paternity analyses, **Sooty albatrosses** *Phoebetria* spp.:  deploy PTTs (satellite transmitters), **Giant petrels** *Macronectes* spp.:  deploy PTTs (satellite transmitters), and **Grey Petrel** *Procellaria cinerea*:  retrieve and redeploy GPS loggers from incubating birds. In addition new field assistants who will be spending a year on the island will be introduced to the ornithological programme, which includes total "round-island" counts of all the surface-nesting albatross and giant petrel species, as well as continued monitoring in long-term demographic study colonies of colour-banded Wandering and Grey-headed *Thalassarche chrysostoma* Albatrosses and of Northern Giant Petrels *M. halli*. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/N/Northern_Giant_Petrel_by_Marienne_de_Villiers.jpg "Northern Giant Petrel on Marion Island. Photograph by Marienne de Villiers") As in the last two years I am accompanying the relief, continuing with archaeological and historical research, which this year will include investigation of a sunken sealing vessel from the early 20th Century.  Visitors to this web site should thus expect intermittent breaks in the posting of daily news items while I travel south and while I'm in field huts away from the research station (and Internet) on the island.  Good to get a break sometimes! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/south-african-expedition-sails-south-this-week-to-undertaker-research-on-acap-listed-albatrosses-and-petrels-at-sub-antarctic-marion-island.md) ## Northern Pacific Albatrosses visit Alaskan waters Three species of ACAP-listed albatrosses breed in the North Pacific: Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes*, Laysan *P. immutabilis* and Short-tailed *P. albatrus*. A useful information source on these three (and other seabird) species may be found in the Alaska Seabird Information Series ([ASIS](http://alaska.fws.gov/mbsp/mbm/seabirds/species.htm)) produced by the US Fish & Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Management based in Anchorage, Alaska. The species' accounts map at-sea distributions in Alaskan waters and give succinct summaries under the heads Life History and Distribution, Population Estimates and Trends, Conservation Concerns and Actions, and Recommended Management Actions. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/Black_footed_Albatross2_by_Aleks_Terauds_small.jpg.jpg "Black-footed Albatross at sea. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") Two potential ACAP species, the Sooty *Puffinus griseus* and Short-tailed *P. tenuirostris*Shearwaters, are also covered by ASIS. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/northern-pacific-albatrosses-visit-alaskan-waters.md) ## ** UPDATE 8 June **: No rats sighted since this year's poison bait drop on a sub-Antarctic island in the South Atlantic Issue 7 of *Project News*, the Newsletter of the Habitat Restoration Project of the [South Georgia* Heritage Trust](http://www.sght.org/), reveals there have been no reports of rats or rat sign up to the end of May in the vicinity of the buildings at King Edward Point, within the the treated area of 128 km2. [The June issue](http://www.sght.org/sites/default/files/HR%20Newsletter%20June%202011.pdf) of the newsletter also gives information on popular publications and a documentary film set to emerge on Phase 1 of the project, of hand-baiting techniques used in and around the derelict buildings of the Gryviken whaling station, and reports on the island's endemic ducks and pipits, both expected to benefit from the removal of rats [8 June 2011]. *********************** The Second Phase of the rat eradication programme is due to commence in 2013, with completion due in 2015.  With 12 500 ha of the 80 000-ha rat-infested area now likely to be clear of rodents, the project is already the largest operation of its kind undertaken anywhere in the world. ********************* Phase One of the ambitious project to eradicate introduced rats from South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the South Atlantic has been completed well ahead of schedule. Despite damage caused early on to a bait bucket when it was dropped into the sea, the first phase of the project was successfully completed in only 26 days instead of in the eight weeks originally allocated.  Greene Peninsula, Thatcher Peninsula and Mercer Bay were baited first.  The recently infested Saddle Island (on the north-west of the island) was the final area to be baited. Areas around buildings were hand-baited, as were coastal caves from inflatable craft operating up against the rocks.  With no rats seen in the treated areas, there is optimism the bait drop has been 100% successful. Dead rats have been collected for genetic analysis and to prevent them from being eaten by scavenging birds.  Small numbers of ducks and skuas were found that had died either from directly eating the poison bait or from secondary poisoning after eating poisoned rats. Early signs indicate that non-target species losses will not be excessive. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_prion_island_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) A Wandering Albatross with South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the background.  Photograph courtesy of Sally Poncet The helicopters are now being moth-balled on the island to await Phase Two of the rodent eradication programme. [Click here](http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(h)South_Georgia_News_and_Events) to read more about the project.  If you would like to help raise funds for Phase Two go to [http://www.sght.org/Sponsor-a-hectare](http://www.sght.org/Sponsor-a-hectare). Meanwhile, after a potential hiccup with the supply ship *Aurora Australis*being slowed by heavy ice farther south earlier this month, the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013) is back on track with the eradication team now expected to arrive on ‘Macca' by month-end ([click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 April 2011, updated 15 April 2011 and 8 June 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/rats-are-on-the-way-out-on-a-south-atlantic-albatross-island.md) ## Cory's Shearwaters suffer from poaching in the Canary Islands Cory's Shearwater *Calonectris diomedea* has been suggested as a candidate species for listing within the Albatross and Petrel Agreement.  Publishing in *Bird Conservational International* Marta Lopez-Darias of the Island Ecology and Evolutionary Research Group (Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología - [IPNA-CSIC](http://www.ipna.csic.es/)) in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain and her colleagues write of the serious depredations on Cory's Shearwater fledglings by poachers in the Canary Islands. The paper's summary follows:**Summary:** Negative effects of poaching on seabird populations are not usually evaluated quantitatively when assessing seabird colony conservation status, nor are they generally considered a major concern.  We demonstrate that poaching is still intense in the Canary Islands, and has negative consequences for the conservation of seabird colonies.  We quantified the effects of poaching of Cory's Shearwater fledglings on breeding success on different islands in the Canaries, comparing colonies that suffer from intense, medium, or no poaching.  Poaching reduced the breeding success of affected colonies to almost a third, potentially causing the future extinction of the colony.  Only colonies with intense wardening campaigns reached high values of reproductive success, showing that government surveillance in conjunction with volunteers from different NGOs is a very effective approach in reducing poaching.  A population sensitivity analysis was also conducted to provide data on the factors that most affect the performance of the model.  Although population growth and mean final population size varied with increases and decreases in mortality and carrying capacity, only harvesting resulted in a probability of 100% of extinction in 20-40 years.  To promote seabird conservation in regions such as the Canary Islands, a core archipelago for seabird species in the Atlantic, poaching control should be elevated by society to a level of urgency, requiring dedicated funding and mobilisation of experts and volunteers to adequately address it through education, prevention and enforcement." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater. Photograph by John Graham") **Reference:** Lopez-Darias, M., Luzardo, J., Martínez, R., González, D., García, E.A. & Cabrera, J. 2011.  Poaching *vs.* patrolling: effects on conservation of Cory's Shearwater *Calonectris diomedea borealis* colonies.  [*Bird Conservation International* DOI:10.1017/S0959270910000559](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8254918&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0959270910000559). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 April 2010*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/corys-shearwaters-suffer-from-poaching-in-the-canary-islands.md) ## New research approaches on albatrosses from the sub-Antarctic Diego Ramírez Islands, Chile During the 2010/011 breeding season for Black-browed *Thalassarche melanophris* and Grey-headed T*. chrysostoma* Albatrosses at the Diego Ramírez Islands, southern Chile, Cristián G. Suazo from the Universidad Austral de Chile (Institute of Ecology and Evolution) is carrying-out integrated studies on these globally Endangered and Vulnerable species. Cristián has focused his work on gaining a better understanding of the contributing factors related to the condition of individual birds.  Factors under consideration include adult health (e.g. chronic stress, parasite load, anti-oxidant levels), breeding habitat selection, environmental factors such as regional oceanographic and climatic variability plus the potential effects related to fisheries in important foraging ranges. His field collaborator during this breeding season was Jaime A. Cursach from Universidad de Los Lagos (Laboratorio de Ecología - Laboratory of Ecology), Chile. This study is carried out thanks to support of researchers from the British Antarctic Survey, San José State University (USA), Australian Antarctic Division, Pacific Seabird Group, Centro Nacional Patagónico CENPAT (National Patagonic Center-Argentina), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (National Sciences Museum - Spain), Max-Planck Institute für Ornithologie (Germany), Albatross Task Force (Chile), Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia CIEP (Patagonic Ecosystems Research Center - Chile) and American Bird Conservancy (Seabird Program).  Also, this research was supported by Dirección de Investigación y Desarrollo (Direction of Investigation and Development - Universidad Austral de Chile) and CONICYT - Chile. This study includes a second four- to five-month period of fieldwork during the 2011/12 breeding season to complement the current season.  During fieldwork activities include the banding of breeding adult birds, the first-ever banding of pre-fledging albatrosses in Chile and the use of spatial tracking technologies to monitor adult birds and the first attempts to identify juvenile dispersion. For further details please contact Cristián G. Suazo, Universidad Austral de Chile,  [biosuazo@gmail.com](mailto:biosuazo@gmail.com). Information taken  with thanks from the Pacific Seabird Group web site ([www.pacificseabirdgroup.org](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer (on Marion Island), 27 April 2011*  [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-research-approaches-on-albatrosses-from-the-sub-antarctic-diego-ramirez-islands-chile.md) ## Pacific Seabird Group to meet 7-10 February 2012 on Oahu, Hawaii The [Pacific Seabird Group](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/) will hold its 38th Annual Meeting on the island of Oahu, Hawai'i, over 7-10 February 2012. Attendees at the PSG meeting should have the opportunity to see some North Pacific albatrosses up close for themselves, as Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis* breed on Oahu in the [Ka'ena Point Natural Area Refuge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilauea_Point_National_Wildlife_Refuge), a site open to the public, and which is now protected by a [predator-proof fence](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/hawaiis-first-predator-proof-fence-is-completed-and-a-high-island-laysan-albatross-breeding-colony-is-now-safe-from-predators).  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan_Albatross_Kaena_Point_by_Lindsay_Young.jpg "Laysan Albatross and chick at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") Laysan Albatross and chick at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young Breeding Laysan Albatrosses can also be viewed at the [Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint/) on the nearby Hawaiian island of Kauai. The deadline of 15 May for submitting suggested topics for a special paper session or a symposium (to Kim Rivera at [mailto:%20%3Cscript%20language='JavaScript'%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'mailto:';%20var%20suffix%20=%20'';%20var%20attribs%20=%20'';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy31273%20=%20'Kim.Rivera'%20+%20'@';%20addy31273%20=%20addy31273%20+%20'noaa'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'gov';%20document.write(%20'%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'''%20+%20prefix%20+%20addy31273%20+%20suffix%20+%20'''%20+%20attribs%20+%20'%3E'%20);%20document.write(%20addy31273%20);%20document.write(%20'%3C/a%3E'%20);%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20language='JavaScript'%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write(%20'%3Cspan%20style='display:%20none;'%3E'%20);%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it%20%3Cscript%20language='JavaScript'%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write(%20'%3C/'%20);%20document.write(%20'span%3E'%20);%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E](mailto:%20%3Cscript%20language='JavaScript'%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'mailto:';%20var%20suffix%20=%20'';%20var%20attribs%20=%20'';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy31273%20=%20'Kim.Rivera'%20+%20'@';%20addy31273%20=%20addy31273%20+%20'noaa'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'gov';%20document.write(%20'%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'''%20+%20prefix%20+%20addy31273%20+%20suffix%20+%20'''%20+%20attribs%20+%20'%3E'%20);%20document.write(%20addy31273%20);%20document.write(%20'%3C/a%3E'%20);%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20language='JavaScript'%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write(%20'%3Cspan%20style='display:%20none;'%3E'%20);%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it%20%3Cscript%20language='JavaScript'%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write(%20'%3C/'%20);%20document.write(%20'span%3E'%20);%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E)[Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov](mailto:Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov)) for the 2012 PSG meeting is now approaching ([click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/publications/SymposiaGuidelinesVer1.pdf) to access the guidelines). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/pacific-seabird-group-to-meet-7-10-february-2012-on-oahu-hawaii.md) ## Organic mercury levels have increased over time in Black-footed Albatross feathers Anh-Thu Vo of the [Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology](http://www.oeb.harvard.edu/), Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, USA and colleagues have studied the increase over 120 years of methylmercury levels in museum-plucked feathers of Black-footed Albatrosses *Phoebastria nigripes*, publishing their findings this month open-access in PNAS (*Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America*). The paper's abstract follows: "Methylmercury cycling in the Pacific Ocean has garnered significant attention in recent years, especially with regard to rising mercury emissions from Asia.  Uncertainty exists concerning whether increases in anthropogenic emissions over time may have caused increased mercury bioaccumulation in the biota.  To address this, we measured total mercury and, for a subset of samples, methylmercury (the bioaccumulated form of mercury) in museum feathers from an endangered seabird, the black-footed albatross (*Phoebastria nigripes*), spanning a 120-y period.  We analyzed stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) to control for temporal changes in trophic structure and diet.  In post-1940 and -1990 feathers, we detected significantly higher mean methylmercury concentrations and higher proportions of samples exhibiting above deleterious threshold levels (∼40,000 ng·g-1) of methylmercury relative to prior time points, suggesting that mercury toxicity may undermine reproductive effort in the species.  We also found higher levels of (presumably curator-mediated) inorganic mercury in older specimens of albatross as well as two nonpelagic species lacking historical exposure to bioavailable mercury, patterns suggesting that studies on bioaccumulation should measure methylmercury rather than total mercury when using museum collections.  δ15N contributed substantially to models explaining the observed methylmercury variation.  After simultaneously controlling for significant trends in δ13C over time and δ15N with methylmercury exposure, year remained a significant independent covariate with feather methylmercury levels among the albatrosses.  These data show that remote seabird colonies in the Pacific basin exhibit temporal changes in methylmercury levels consistent with historical global and recent regional increases in anthropogenic emissions." **Reference:** Vo, A.-T.E., Bank, M.S., Shine, J.P. &. Edwards, S.V. 2011.  Temporal increase in organic mercury in an endangered pelagic seabird assessed by century-old museum specimens.  [www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1013865108](http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1013865108). See also: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13121088](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13121088) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 April 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/mercury-levels-have-increased-over-time-in-black-footed-albatross-feathers.md) ## ** UPDATED 22 June ** The USA's first-ever Short-tailed Albatross chick fledges successfully from Midway "On June 11, the bird was seen wandering from its nest area to the shoreline as the instinct to fly and paddle out to sea became stronger. It continued to walk and flap near the shoreline, as well as paddle in the near-shore waters to strengthen its wings and legs. The chick's first swim in the ocean lasted 15 minutes. It walked into the lapping waters, paddled out 50 meters, submerged its head for a quick look, sipped some sea water, and then practiced flapping before paddling back to the shore. The chick was last seen the evening of June 15. By June 17 it was gone."   "Once one of the world's rarest birds, the endangered Short-tailed Albatross continues to recover," said Refuge Manager Sue Schulmeister. "Sightings of the species have been relatively rare over the years, even on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.  In the years to come, following this event, perhaps that will start to change." To watch a short video clip of the bird walking along the shoreline go to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_q6avfdDAI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_q6avfdDAI). [Click here](http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=FWS&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=127511&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=True) to read more on Midway's STAL chick fledging. News from John Klavitter, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, with thanks to Kim Rivera and Lindsay Young. *********************** ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/short-tailed_albatross_chick_midway_banding_day_fws.jpg "Midway's Short-tailed Albatross on banding day. Photograph from USFWS") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/short-tailed_albatross_chick_midway_banded.jpg "The Midway Short-tail chick shows off its new bands. Photograph courtesy of USFWS") "Wildlife biologists at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, have banded the first Short-tailed Albatross chick hatched outside of Japan. The five-month old chick received a permanent metal band on its right leg and a red-and-white one coded "AA00" on its left on 8 June. When the bird fledges, the bands will help biologists track this extremely rare and endangered seabird to learn where it will one day go to nest. Most albatross return to the island where they were hatched." "We are very excited that the chick, raised by first-time parents, has made it to where we believe it will fledge, perhaps by mid-June," said Deputy Refuge Manager John Klavitter. Go to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/) to read the whole press release by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and to view more photos of Midway's STALs.  With thanks to USFWS for the use of its photographs.   [Posted 12 June 2011] **************** Latest report is that the Short-tailed Albatross chick on Midway continues to do well (it can now stand) and is expected to fledge within three weeks or so.  "We  plan to colour band it around 8 June or so.  Band will be red with the following letters and numbers in white:  AA00." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/short-tailed_albatross_chick_midway_20_may_2011_.john_klavitter.jpg "Midway's Short-tailed Albatross chick can now stand. Photgraph from John Klavitter") News from John Klavitter, Deputy Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge [29 May 2011] ******************* Midway's now-famous STAL chick continues to do well: "I got over to Eastern Island and checked on the Short-tailed Albatross chick this week.  It still looks like it's doing alright.  It will have to be banded soon.  We don't want to lose track of that one."  [15 May 2011] From:  [http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/)  where a new photo of the chick next to an adult STAL model by Pete Leary (Midway's Wildlife Biologist) can be viewed. *************** A photograph ([click here](http://www.photosafaris.com/blog/2011/midway-atolls-short-tailed-albatross-chick-thrives-despite-tsunamiby-joe-van-os/) to view) taken by Joe Van Os on 23 April shows Midway Atoll's Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* chick being fed by its male parent.  This confirms its continued well-being after the 10 March tsunami that washed it metres away from its nest ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/stop-press-hawaiis-laysan-and-black-footed-albatrosses-have-likely-suffered-heavy-losses-in-last-weeks-tsunami) to access earlier ACAP news items on the USA's first-ever Short-tail chick). The photograph shows the chick is gaining its juvenile plumage and losing its down, so things look good for its successful fledging in due course. For more photographs of the feathering chick visit [http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/](http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/). Apologies for the lack of  photographs: difficult to add while in the sub-Antarctic! *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 April 2011, updated 21 May,  12 and 22 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/midway-atolls-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-is-doing-well-post-tsunami.md) ## South Africa opens a state-of-the-art scientific base among the albatrosses of Marion Island On 18 March this year South Africa formally opened a new scientific and weather station on sub-Antarctic Marion Island, part of the southern Indian Ocean's Prince Edward Islands. The state-of-the-art building complex has been constructed over a seven-year period close by the old base that was made up of a number of scattered buildings erected from as early as the 1950s - that have deteriorated over time in the harsh environment.  They had also become increasingly inadequate for the amount and sophistication of research activities supported by the South African National Antarctic Programme. The new base consists of a single building with five wings around a central hub for accommodation, logistics (power generation, waste treatment, food storage, etc.), recreation, cooking and dining, and importantly a double-story science wing with eight first-floor offices, capable of seating up to nine researchers at individual desks, and a suite of ground-floor laboratories, each well-equipped for specific types of analyses.  There is also a library, a conference room, a workshop and store rooms in the science block.  A separate hangar with a raised landing pad can house two helicopters and also acts as a fully-equipped emergency base for the over-wintering team (18 strong this year). With nine four-berth modern field huts placed strategically around the island, the way is now set for an increase in both the quality and quantity of research undertaken on the island - including on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/south-african-expedition-sails-south-this-week-to-undertaker-research-on-acap-listed-albatrosses-and-petrels-at-sub-antarctic-marion-island)). Meanwhile young Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* have started courting within metres of the old base, now effectively abandoned, occupying land their antecedents deserted due to too much human disturbance more than 50 years ago.  Plans are afoot to dismantle most of the old buildings in the next few years (it is intended the oldest will be kept as a museum), giving even more space back to the island's birds. Next year, South Africa will commission its new Antarctic supply and research vessel to replace the ageing *S.A. Agulhas*, further demonstrating the nation's resolve to continue to support research endeavours "down south". *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, at Marion Island, 1 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/south-africa-opens-a-state-of-the-art-scientific-base-among-the-albatrosses-of-marion-island.md) ## Black-browed Albatrosses: are they trending up or down in the South Atlantic? Paulo Catry and colleagues, publishing online recently in the journal *Polar Biology*, address the important question of whether Black-browed Albatrosses at the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* are increasing or decreasing in numbers. The paper's abstract follows: "Black-browed albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* are currently classified as globally endangered. The most important populations of this species are believed to be declining due to, amongst other factors, unsustainable levels of incidental mortality in fishing gear.  However, detailed demographic data are lacking for several critical populations, including the largest of all, nesting in the Falkland Islands.  Here, we present data from the first Falkland Islands detailed demographic study (at New Island) and show that, from 2003 to 2009, the mean adult survival probability was 0.942 (95% CI: 0.930-0.952).  Nesting frequency of adults is amongst the highest recorded for *Thalassarche* albatrosses and breeding success (0.564 chicks per egg) is within normal values.  The nesting population in the intensively studied plots experienced an increase of 4% per year from 2004 to 2009.  These results indicate that the Falklands population may not be as threatened as previously supposed, although studies from more sites and a longer time series are needed to confirm or refute this.  The high survival rates may partly reflect recent efforts to mitigate bycatch made by the Falkland Islands and other fisheries in the region.  The reinforcement of such initiatives may be critical to buffer the black-browed albatross population against ecosystem shifts and natural disasters (such as harmful algal blooms) that will likely become more frequent with ongoing global changes." **Reference:** Catry, P., Forcada, J. &  Almeida, A. 2011.  Demographic parameters of black-browed albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* from the Falkland Islands.  [*Polar Biology* DOI: 10.1007/s00300-011-0984-3](http://www.springerlink.com/content/8057754021245346/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 May 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/black-browed-albatrosses-are-they-trending-up-or-down-in-the-south-atlantic.md) ## Latest news from albatross public-viewing opportunities in New Zealand New Zealand is arguably the "albatross and petrel capital" of the World, with a large number of breeding species, several endemic to the region.  The country also offers excellent opportunities for public viewing of procellariiform birds, both at a mainland breeding site and at sea. Latest news from the colony of Royal Albatrosses *Diomedea sanfordi* at Taiaroa Head, at the end of the Otago Peninsula on the southern island, is that all 24 eggs laid this breeding season have hatched and all have survived well into the brood/guard stage ([click here](http://www.albatross.org.nz/news.html)). Meanwhile at sea farther north on the South Island off Kaikoura colour-banded albatrosses have continued to be seen regularly at sea last month, with one bird observed to be wearing an electronic device. "Again, we've been seeing record numbers of birds foraging here including 46 Gibson's wandering albatross [*Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni*], 30 white-capped [*Thalassarche steadi*] and 25 Salvin's (*T. salvini*] albatross together with huge groups of spotted shags of up to up to 600 individuals and up to 2,000 red-billed gulls.  The current record for Gibson's wandering albatross stands at 54 individuals.  This is no doubt due to the productive nature of the Kaikoura Canyon system.  Recent data from NIWA suggests that our canyon system has one of the most productive seabed habitats known with the largest biomass of the larger invertebrates of any comparable system worldwide. "We continue to see some of our regular banded birds such as orange 512, red 73E and orange 021.  Red 73E was seen sporting a minute electronic device on his leg so clearly a study possibly on his foraging adventures is being undertaken.  Orange 021 is a male Gibson's banded as a chick on 18/12/96.  He is now a breeding adult who first nested in 2008, but didn't breed in 2010.  It will be interesting to hear from our research team if he has had a successful breeding attempt this season.  Attempts also continue to locate the breeding grounds of orange 512, our most regular banded bird." Quotes taken from [http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/albatross/ocean_news/](http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/albatross/ocean_news/) where photographs of the banded birds may be viewed.  Lists of ACAP (and other) species seen daily in April off Kaikoura may be viewed at [http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/albatross_old/sightings_old/](http://www.albatrossencounter.co.nz/albatross_old/sightings_old/). Earlier news items can be read about the albatrosses of [Taiaroa Head](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-royal-albatrosses-at-taiaroa-head-are-doing-well-with-help-from-another-female-female-pair) and off [Kaikoura](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/an-often-seen-colour-banded-antipodean-albatross-gets-a-second-chance-after-being-entangled-in-fishing-line) on this web site. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/latest-news-from-albatross-public-viewing-opportunities-in-new-zealand.md) ## Recent French research on the diet of the Yelkouan Shearwater published online The [Near Threatened](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3937) Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan* of the Mediterranean is one of nine potential candidate shearwaters that have been identified for listing within the Albatross and Petrel Agreement ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/malta-reports-on-its-eu-life-project-on-yelkouan-shearwaters)). Karen Bourgeois and colleagues have recently published online in the *[Journal of Ornithology](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336)* on the diet and pollutants of this Mediterranean endemic. The paper's abstract follows: "The Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan* is a Procellariiform endemic to the Mediterranean Basin, recently categorised as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.  We need to identify the threats it faces, which are particularly poorly understood when at sea.  Specifically, very little is known about the Yelkouan Shearwater feeding strategy and how it is related to potential threats at sea, such as contaminants which deserve particular attention regarding this shearwater, as the Mediterranean Basin is overall highly contaminated.  Here, we analysed Yelkouan Shearwater diet, as well as metal (lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium) and organic contamination.  The diet analysis revealed the predominance of fish prey, particularly Clupeids, Engraulids and Scombrids, both in terms of relative occurrence (84.6%) and relative biomass (99.7%).  Crustaceans (Euphasiacea and Decapoda) were the major prey type during the pre-laying period (relative number: 88.8%) but contributed little to the biomass ingested.  The metal levels we found in contour feathers were below the known adverse effect threshold for seabirds.  Organic contamination in livers was also low but we found two eggs with levels of concern of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) compounds." **Reference:** Bourgeois, K., Vorenger, J., Faulquier, L., Legrand J. & Vidal, E. 2011.  [Diet and contamination of the Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan* in the Hyères archipelago, Mediterranean Basin, France](http://www.springerlink.com/content/v65jn7v3261w132l/).  *Journal for Ornithology *[DOI: 10.1007/s10336-011-0677-2](http://www.springerlink.com/content/0021-8375/?Content+Status=Accepted&sort=p_OnlineDate&sortorder=desc&o=10). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/recent-french-research-on-the-diet-of-the-yelkouan-shearwater-published-online.md) ## Obituary: Michael John Imber, New Zealand procellariiform seabird researcher It is with sadness that the Albatross and Petrel Agreement reports the passing of Michael John Imber, DSc of Levin, New Zealand on 28 April 2011 at the age of 70 years. Mike Imber had spent a career working with procellariiform seabirds and has published early studies on the (especially cephalopod) diets of albatrosses and petrels, using the then innovative technique of identifying prey to genus and species from the shape and size of regurgitated squid beaks. In 1979 Mike Imber visited the Prince Edward Islands, where I have written this obituary, as a guest of the South African National Antarctic Programme.  He used his skills to confirm for the first time breeding by the Black-bellied Storm Petrel *Fregetta tropica* on Prince Edward, the less-visited island of the group.  He also visited Gough Island in the South Atlantic with SANAP the same year, looking at the island's suite of burrowing petrels and collecting regurgitated squid beaks from around Tristan Albatrosses *Diomedea dabbenena* nests. Mike also visited South Africa to attend the Symposium on Birds of the Sea and Shore, arranged by the African Seabird Group and held in Cape Town in 1979.  This is when I first met him, subsequently meeting up again at the inaugural meeting of CCAMLR's then Ad Hoc Working Group on Incidental. Mortality Arising from Longline Fishing (WG-IMALF) held in Hobart, Australia in 1994.  Following a sabbatical visit to New Zealand that same year I stayed with Mike at his home for a weekend and I still have a piece of polished drift wood picked up then as a souvenir of our windy beach walk together for washed-up seabirds. ACAP's sympathy is extended to Mike's family and his colleagues and friends around the World. **Selected bibliography: Michael John Imber** Berruti, A., Griffiths, A.M., Imber, M.J., Schramm, M. & Sinclair, J.C. 1981.  The status of seabirds at Prince Edward Island.  *South African Journal of Antarctic Research* 10/11: 31-32. Imber, M.J. 1976.  Comparison of prey of the black *Procellaria* petrels of New Zealand  *New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research* 10: 119-130. Imber, M.J. 1983.  The lesser petrels of Antipodes Islands, with notes from Prince Edward and Gough Islands.  *Notornis* 30: 283-298. Imber**,**M.J. 1987.  Breeding ecology and conservation of the Black Petrel(*Procellaria parkinsoni*).  *Notornis* 34: 19-39. Imber, M.J. 1991.  Feeding ecology of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Procellariiformes.  *Acta XX Congressus Internationalis Ornithologici*.  pp. 1402-1412. Imber, M.J. 1992.  Cephalopods eaten by Wandering Albatrosses (*Diomedea exulans* L.) breeding at six circumpolar localities.  *Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand* 22: 243-263. Imber**,**M.J. 1999. Diet and feeding ecology of the Royal Albatross*Diomedea epomophora* king of the shelf break and inner slope. *Emu* 99: 200-211. Imber, M.J. & Berruti, A. 1981.  Procellariiform seabirds as squid predators.  In: Cooper, J. (Ed.).  *Proceedings of the Symposium on Birds of the Sea and Shore, 1979*.  Cape Town: African Seabird Group.  pp. 43-61. Imber**,**M. J. & Russ, R. 1975.  Some foods of the. Wandering Albatross*Diomedea exulans*.  *Notornis* 22: 27-36. Imber, M.J., McFadden, I**.,** Bell, E.A. & Scofield, R.P. 2003.  Post-fledging migration, age of first return and recruitment, and results of inter-colony translocation of Black Petrels (*Procellaria parkinsoni*).  *Notornis*50: 183-190. West, J.A. & Imber, M.J. 1986.  Some foods of Buller's Mollymawk *Diomedea bulleri*. *New Zealand Journal of Zoology* 13: 169-174. Williams, A.J. & Imber, M.J. 1982.  Ornithological observations at Gough Island in 1979, 1980 and 1981.  *South African Journal of Antarctic Research*12: 40-45. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/obituary-michael-john-imber-new-zealand-procellariiform-seabird-researcher.md) ## Black-browed Albatrosses and Kelp Gulls interact over discards from Argentinean trawlers [Diego González-Zevallos](http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Diego+Gonz%c3%a1lez-Zevallos) and Pablo Yorio have studied the interactions of Black-browed Albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* and Kelp Gulls *Larus dominicanus* squabbling over discards behind trawlers, publishing their findings online in the *[Journal of Ornithology](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336)*. The paper's abstract follows: "We evaluated discard consumption by Kelp Gulls (*Larus dominicanus*) and Black-browed Albatrosses (*Thalassarche melanophrys*) associated with trawlers operating at Golfo San Jorge, Argentina, and assessed differences in their feeding behaviour, prey size preferences and foraging efficiency.  Observations were made onboard hake (January 2007) and shrimp vessels (November 2008).  The Kelp Gull and Black-browed Albatross were the most frequent and abundant seabirds at both fisheries, while Argentine Hake (*Merluccius hubbsi*) dominated the composition of discards.  Kelp Gulls and Black-browed Albatrosses consumed 91% of experimentally discarded hake (*n* = 1236).  Mean sizes of prey consumed by gulls were 22.4 and 23.7 cm in the hake and shrimp fisheries, respectively, while those of prey consumed by albatrosses were 28.5 and 31.3 cm, respectively.  In both fisheries, gulls selected the smaller prey available (30 cm in hake and shrimp fisheries, respectively).  Intraspecific and interspecific kleptoparasitism were significantly more frequent than expected in Kelp Gulls and Black-browed Albatrosses, respectively.  Robbing efficiency was clearly higher in albatrosses than gulls.  In both species, sizes of prey consumed by direct capture were significantly smaller than those stolen, and the rate of kleptoparasitism increased with prey size.  Gulls stole significantly smaller prey than albatrosses.  Prey selection by Kelp Gulls is affected by the interaction with Black-browed Albatrosses, and the degree at which discards are used by both species appears to depend on the fishery considered, the food on offer and the selection of prey sizes according to seabird species-specific preferences." **Reference:** [González-Zevallos](http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Diego+Gonz%c3%a1lez-Zevallos), D. & Yorio, P. 2011.  Consumption of discards and interactions between Black-browed Albatrosses (*Thalassarche melanophrys*) and Kelp Gulls (*Larus dominicanus*) at trawl fisheries in Golfo San Jorge, Argentina.  *Journal of Ornithology*  [DOI: 10.1007/s10336-011-0657-6](http://www.springerlink.com/content/x3uu458hm23xk7j3/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/black-browed-albatrosses-and-kelp-gulls-interact-over-discards-from-argentinean-trawlers.md) ## Discussion on the Red List status of Black-footed and Northern Royal Albatrosses to continue into 2011 The current IUCN Red Data status of both the Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Northern Royal *Diomedea sanfordi* Albatrosses is [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciessearchresults.php?reg=&cty=&cri=&fam=17&gen=0&spc=&cmn=&hab=&thr=&bt=&rec=N&vag=N&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&SearchTerms=). BirdLife International's Globally Threatened Bird Forum for Seabirds in 2010 has been giving consideration to recommending the downlisting of both albatrosses because recent data and reviews suggest a more favourable conservation status for them.  However, no decisions have yet been made and the forum is now requesting new information and continued discussions into 2011 for final decisions for the 2012 Red List update. To read the full story visit: [http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2010/11/black-footed-albatross-phoebastria-nigripes-eligible-for-downlisting/](http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2010/11/black-footed-albatross-phoebastria-nigripes-eligible-for-downlisting/) [http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2010/11/northern-royal-albatross-diomedea-sanfordi-is-it-still-declining/](http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2010/11/northern-royal-albatross-diomedea-sanfordi-is-it-still-declining/) [http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2011/02/2011-red-list-draft-decisions-7/seabirds-2010-2011/](http://www.birdlife.org/globally-threatened-bird-forums/2011/02/2011-red-list-draft-decisions-7/seabirds-2010-2011/) [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessments for these two albatrosses. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/discussion-on-the-red-list-status-of-black-footed-and-northern-royal-albatrosses-to-continue-into-2011.md) ## ICCAT's Subcommittee on Ecosystems to discuss seabird bycatch this week in Florida, USA The Subcommittee on Ecosystems of theInternational Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ([ICCAT](http://www.iccat.es/en/)) is to meet from 9-13 May 2011 in Miami. Florida, USA ([click here](http://www.iccat.es/Documents/Meetings/Announce/700-11_ENG.pdf)for announcement and agenda). An objective of the meeting is to continue providing results on research about the impacts of mitigation measures on catch rates of bycatch (including seabirds) and target species.  Bycatch mitigation measures in the ICCAT Convention area will be discussed. The outputs of the SC-ECO meeting will be presented and further discussed at the meeting of the parent body of the SC-ECO, ICCAT's Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS), which is due to take place in Madrid, Spain from 26 September to 7 October 2011.  The ICCAT Commission meeting will take place from 9-19 November 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey ([click here](http://www.iccat.es/en/meetingscurrent.htm) for meeting details).  The Commission is the decision-making body of ICCAT, and is the meeting at which formal proposals are presented, considered and finally adopted when there is sufficient support for them. The main objective for ACAP at these ICCAT meetings in 2011 is to continue to prepare the ground and gain support for the submission of a formal proposal to improve/strengthen the current ICCAT Recommendation ([07-07](http://www.iccat.es/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2007-07-e.pdf)) on Reducing Incidental By-catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries. Ongoing research is highlighting that the simultaneous use of weighted branch lines, paired bird-scaring streamer (tori) lines and night setting provide the most effective and practical suite of measures for mitigating seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/iccats-subcommittee-on-ecosystems-to-discuss-seabird-bycatch-this-week-in-florida-usa.md) ## Research on the little-known Black Petrel of New Zealand A list of reports and publications on the Black Petrel *Procellaria parkinsoni*, an ACAP-listed species endemic as a breeding bird to New Zealand, may be found at [http://www.wmil.co.nz/wmil_publicationspage.html](http://www.wmil.co.nz/wmil_publicationspage.html), covering research conducted by [Wildlife Management International](http://www.wmil.co.nz/index.html) over the last decade or so. "A long-term research project on black petrel has been conducted annually since 1995 for the Conservation Services Programme (Department of Conservation).  This work is directly related to identifying risks to the population, including interaction with fisheries and invasive species impact and monitoring the population.  Nearly 400 burrows are monitored annually to assess population trends, with research focusing on bird capture, identification of adults, banding, measuring, sex determination, GPS and geo-locator logger deployment, population modelling and data analysis undertaken." Many of the listed reports on Black Petrels made by WMIL to the New Zealand Department of Conservation may be found online in DOC's peer-reviewed *[Research and Development Series](http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/science-and-technical/products/series/doc-research-and-development-series/) *and (the now discontinued) *[Science Internal Series](http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/science-and-technical/products/series/older-series/doc-science-internal-series-archive/).* Wildlife Management International Limited is a New Zealand-based ecological consultancy established in 1987. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/research-on-the-little-known-black-petrel-of-new-zealand.md) ## UPDATE: Information for attendees to the Sixth ACAP Advisory Committee Meeting, Guayaquil, Ecuador, Third Circular now available The **Third Circular for ACAP's Sixth Advisory Committee** meeting is now available on this web site (find from the home page). The circular contains further information on meeting documents (including a revised agenda), meeting registration, accommodation (with advice on bookings), hotel transfers to the meeting venue, and advice on excursions and field trips. All meeting documents will be available on the ACAP website by 29 July 2011.  Agendas and documents for Working Group meetings will be posted on the ACAP website under their respective Working Group.  ************************ **Note:**  to access the several documents referred to below follow the link from the home page to AC6 Circular No. 2. **Draft Agenda** A draft agenda for AC6 is attached, as well as an annotated agenda to assist consideration of the issues to be discussed.  A number of new agenda items has been added to the draft agenda prepared at AC5.  These take account of outcomes arising from intersessional work and other developments since the last meeting.  Any additional items for inclusion on the agenda should be notified to the Secretariat by 30 May 2011. **Meeting Documents** A preliminary list of documents for AC6 is also attached.  Please advise the Secretariat should you wish to amend this list or add additional documents.  Any revisions to the list of documents will be advised on the AC6 website as revisions to AC6 Doc5.  As previously advised, all documents that are to be translated must be submitted by 30 June 2011. It would be appreciated if you could use the attached meeting document template when preparing documents.  A copy of the template for Observer's Reports is also attached to assist those who have not yet submitted reports on meetings they have attended as an ACAP Observer.  Note that reports on Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) meetings will be tabled for consideration at the Seabird Bycatch Working Group meeting. The Second Meeting of the Parties to ACAP (MoP2) decided that delegates should take their own copies of meeting documents to meetings in order to contain printing costs.  Consequently, the Secretariat will only be providing delegates with copies of papers submitted during the course of the meeting, e.g. reports of the meetings of the Working Groups held immediately prior to AC6.  The Secretariat will also be providing access to meeting documents and printing facilities via a dedicated wireless network.  Delegates intending to use the wireless network should indicate this on the registration form so that the Secretariat can forward passwords and setting-up instructions. **Meeting Registration** Parties, Non-Party Range States and Observers are reminded that details of their representatives must be provided to the Secretariat prior to the meeting (email: [secretariat@acap.aq](mailto:secretariat@acap.aq)).  Delegates are requested to complete the attached meeting registration form and forward it to the Secretariat as soon as possible to assist us in preparing for the meetings.  The meeting registration form can also be accessed at [www.acap.aq/AC6registration](https://www.acap.aq/AC6registration). **Working Group Meetings** As previously advised, the meetings of the Working Groups will be held prior to AC6 at the Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, at the same venue as AC6.  The Seabird Bycatch Working Group meeting will be held from 22-24 August, the Status and Trends Working Group meeting will be held on 25 August, and the Breeding Sites Working Group meeting on 26 August, 2011. Information concerning transfers and social events will be provided in AC6 Meeting Circular No. 3. *Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary, 13 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/information-for-prospective-attendees-sixth-acap-advisory-committee-meeting-guayaquil-ecuador-29-august-2-september-2011.md) ## ACAP gets over a hundred new friends The ACAP web site now has 112 Facebook friends. You can click on the Facebook icon on the home page to see who they are and (if you wish) to sign up to access news items posted to this web site. I am now home from my annual research visit to South Africa's Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/south-africa-opens-a-state-of-the-art-scientific-base-among-the-albatrosses-of-marion-island)) and plan to keep this web site's news stories coming as before - until my next trip - this time to the Galapagos and to attend ACAP's Sixth Advisory Committee meeting in Ecuador in August. Information on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels is always welcome: e-mail  me with your news at [john.cooper@acap.aq](mailto:john.cooper@acap.aq). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 May 2011* *![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/pei conservation front cover low-res1.jpg)* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acap-gets-over-a-hundred-new-friends.md) ## Employment opportunity: two Senior Research Assistants for biological research and plant control at Gough Island World Heritage Site, Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic Ocean A long-running research and conservation management project requires two candidates to work on Gough Island in the central South Atlantic Ocean for 13 months, with an additional 1-2 months for training prior to departure.  The two 15-month contract positions are available to undertake a challenging work programme on the Gough Island World Heritage Site, which is threatened by invasive mice and plants.  The selected post holders will be responsible for control and eradication work on a small invasive plant from the steep cliffs adjacent to the weather station on Gough Island, as well as monitoring of albatrosses and petrels, the temporary captive management of two endemic bird species, and establishing baseline data on invertebrate abundance and vegetation monitoring.  If required, training in research, mountain safety, rope-access techniques (IRATA level 1 or equivalent) will be provided in the 1-2 months prior to departure to Gough Island.  The two candidates will be joining and living with the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) over-wintering team of six people from September 2011, and will also be required to work within the requirements of SANAP's over-wintering teams.  It will be an asset if both post holders have prior experience of working together. The period of contract will be from 01 August 2011 to 30 October 2012. For further information and to request the full advert text, contact Peter Ryan ([pryan31@gmail.com](mailto:pryan31@gmail.com)) or Richard Cuthbert (Richard.Cuthbert@rspb.org.uk). Closing date for applications: 15 June 2011. Interview dates:  23-24 June 2011. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan_Albatross_chick_by_Ross_Wanless.jpg "Saving Tristan Albatrosses from attacks by House Mice: research to continue towards eradication. Photograph by Ross Wanless") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/employment-opportunity-two-senior-research-assistants-for-biological-research-and-plant-control-at-gough-island-world-heritage-site-tristan-da-cunha-south-atlantic-ocean.md) ## Identifying the prey of albatrosses and petrels: updated guide to cephalopod beaks available on-line Squid and octopods are highly represented in the diet of a wide range of sub-Antarctic and Antarctic predators, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, as well as penguins, seals and whales.  This guide by Drs José Xavier and Yves Cherel, first published in 2009, allows the identification of squid and octopods beaks recovered in regurgitations and is now available for free down-loading on-line in an updated version. The guide includes 3-D computer images in colour of both upper and lower beaks, making it an extremely useful tool to marine ecologists dealing with trophic interactions in the Southern Ocean. **Reference:** Xavier, J.C. & Cherel, Y. 2009.  *Cephalopod Beak Guide for the Southern Ocean*.  Cambridge: British Antarctic Survey.  129 pp.  ISBN 978-0-85665-146-5.  [Updated on-line in November 2010](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_bas/publications/cephalopod-beak-guide.pdf). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/Black_browed_Albatrosses_Graham_Robertson.jpg "Squid in their tummies? Black-browed Albatrosses photographed by Graham Robertson") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/identifying-the-prey-of-albatrosses-and-petrels-updated-guide-to-cephalopod-beaks-available-on-line.md) ## A Luta Continua! The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project rabbit tally reaches 13 after the bait drop ## **UPDATE 7 December** Read the latest news of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project ín the project's latest [blog](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=15267) and also in the latest issue ([No. 9 of November 2001](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=25787)) of MIPEP's newsletter *Macquarie Dispatch*.  [Click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13001) to access the earlier numbers. To date 13 rabbits have been hunted down and killed since the 2011 bait drop that ended in July. "Four months hunting has been completed and the rabbit tally currently sits at 13. The last two months have been more productive from a rabbit tally point of view with two rabbits in October and six in November." Evidence of breeding by rabbits after the poison exercise been obtained as shown by the following quote from the 5 December blog.  "A new benchmark was set this month with three rabbits killed in one day. Following on from Melissa (assisted by others) getting a female rabbit that showed signs of having dropped a litter, Sandy did some detailed searching in the area. She found four small rabbits, known as runners, in three burrows over two days, in an area about 300m from Melissa's rabbit." A luta continua! **UPDATE 13 November** After this year's baiting operation signs of rats and mice have still not been seen on Macquarie Island, according to the latest entry in the MIPEP (Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project) blog, dated 8 October ([click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=15267)). Other news is that since the bait drop six rabbits have now been found and killed by the hunting teams, but there seems to be still at least a few more to more to track down: " [i]n the meantime more sign has been found in several locations further down the island and the team is hard at work trying to catch the bunnies responsible." To read of weekly happenings on "Macca", including of the MIPEP hunting teams and their dogs, visit ["This Week at Macquarie"](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island) .  ****************************************** Northern Giant Petrels from Macquarie Island get to the Auckland Islands, but then succumb to the effects of poison Four Northern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus*, all males, including one bird banded at Macquarie Island, were recovered dead on the Auckland Islands south of New Zealand in August 2010.  This information is summarized in Australia's [Implementation Report](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/download-document/1669-ac6-inf-11-implementation-report-australia) to the ACAP Advisory Committee's [Sixth Meeting](https://www.acap.aq/meeting-documents/english/advisory-committee/ac6), held at the end of last month in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Livers excised from the Auckland Island carcasses all tested positive for brodifacoum, the poison used in rodent and rabbit bait as part of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project ([MIPEP](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=13013)) during 2010 and 2011.  It thus seems probable that all four birds came from that island and were victims of non-target poisoning from the 2010 bait drops ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/male-northern-giant-petrels-are-at-risk-from-secondary-poisoning-on-macquarie-island)). Aerial-baiting operations resumed in May 2011 and the full complement of bait had been spread by July 2011. Significant efforts were made to minimise non-target deaths, and to date, an additional 367 Northern Giant Petrel carcases were detected. The good news is that since the 2011 bait drop on Macquarie very few rabbits have been seen, with only four killed by the hunting teams since early August. In addition, no live rodents have been seen since shortly after the start of the second bait drop A successful eradication of the three pest species will result in the broad-scale island restoration, with significant benefits to a wide range of plant and bird species, including the seven ACAP albatross and petrel species. With thanks to Rosemary Gales, Ian Hay and Keith Springer for information.  4 October 2011 ********************** "This week the next phase of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP) commenced. With the baiting programme successfully completed it is expected that rats (and hopefully mice) will have been eradicated from the island. Rabbits, however, are still likely to occur in very small numbers in some parts of the island. Over the next few months there is a critical window in which to hunt and eradicate these surviving animals, before they are likely to find each other and begin breeding, and before the vegetation begins to grow back and provide cover for the animals. Six teams, each composed of a hunter, a dog handler and two dogs, headed out into the field on Tuesday [2 August]. Their first couple of days were spent getting to the huts from which they will work. This was no easy task as they carried packs weighing between 25 and 30 kilograms. Each team is working in a different part of the island - searching for any signs of rabbit presence. Signs include chewed vegetation, dung, tracks on snow, and the dogs will work on scent detection. The teams will be out for almost four weeks before they return to the station for a rest and a clean-up, and then head out again." Information from [http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=45781&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wOC0wNQ](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=45781&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wOC0wNQ). See also the latest addition to the [MIPEP Blog](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=15267) by hunter Tom Ralph (for 31 July). 5 August 2011 ********************** Visit [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=15267](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=15267) for the latest entry in the MIPEP blog with news of the final bait drop on 9 July ("...68 days with aerial baiting permissible on 23 of them and all four aircraft operational on 22 of those 23 days, testament to the skill and dedication of the Helicopter Resources team. Over 500 loads and 12,000 individual bags of bait...").  It is considerered that concerted efforts are required from now on to hunt out the remaining rabbits before the task becomes overly difficult due to the expected recovery of the vegetation over time. The latest edition of the weekly [on-line newsletter](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=44481&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNy0yMg==) from Macquarie Island also gives information on the preparation of carrots for rabbit baiting (and much else besides). ****************** Issue No. 8 of the *Macquarie Dispatch*,  newsletter of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP) for July 2011 has now been released ([click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=24191)). In the newsletter it is revealed that 591 rabbit carcasses have been found and buried on the island up to the third week of June.  As a consequence non-target mortality due to secondary poisoning of Northern Giant Petrels *Macronectes halli* and Sub-Antarctic Skuas *Catharacta antarctica* has been reduced in comparison to the aborted 2010 poisoning effort when 883 birds were found dead after only a small part of the island had been treated with poison bait ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/male-northern-giant-petrels-are-at-risk-from-secondary-poisoning-on-macquarie-island)).  As of 19 June this year 523 birds have been found dead, about half of which were Kelp Gulls *Larus dominicanus*. Information is also given on the release of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus in 200 kg of carrots. ***************** [Click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=41565&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNy0wMQ==) to read all about the 12 rabbit-hunting dogs now on Macquarie Island  by Gary Bowcock, MIPEP Supervising Dog Handler and to read an interview with Keith Springer, MIPEP Project Manager. [5 July 2011] ***************** The Australian Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman, has welcomed news baiting has been completed on Macquarie Island, signalling a major step forward in the eradication of three pest species and the eventual restoration of the island's significant natural values.  Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service staff and contractors have now completed two whole-of-island bait drops, with only small areas such as offshore rock-stacks left to complete. Mr Wightman said the project to eradicate European rabbits, ship rats and house mice from the 12 800-ha island was the largest yet attempted in the world for three pest species. Since completion of the second bait drop, only three rabbits have been sighted on the island, from a population estimated at more than 100 000.  Teams will disperse around the island in the coming weeks to identify further the number and location of surviving rabbits. No sign of rats has been detected since the first bait drop in May. The number of non-target species impacted by baiting has been minimised, with a total of 855 birds affected to date. The introduction of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus on the island earlier this year drastically cut rabbit numbers which resulted in fewer carcasses on the ground and a reduction in secondary poisoning among non-target species.   Another key factor in reducing non-target species mortality has been an increased effort by specially dedicated ground crews collecting and burying poisoned carcasses after baiting. Twelve trained hunting dogs are already on the island ready to begin the next phase of the operation, hunting down the rabbits that survived the baiting project. Hunters will work with the dogs and their handlers to dispatch any rabbits found. This is expected to take up to five years.  The team involved in the baiting operation is expected to return to Hobart in late July. Taken from [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?sys=News Article&intID=2328](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?sys=News Article&intID=2328).  [1 July 2011] ************************* News from the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project Blog](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=15267): "Since Fletcher Anderson's posting in May, baiting progress has continued at the same exceptional rate. By Sunday 19 June, the baiting progress reached 199.99% - nearly two whole-island drops complete! As pilot Bryan Patterson was on the very last load the cloud descended and put a halt to the baiting for the day, leaving us an agonising 6 ha short of completing the second bait drop (of the island's total 12 800ha)!! The pilots have done an excellent job getting the bait out, giving us bait loaders no time for rest on the ground feeding the big steel bait buckets. The helicopter engineering team have also done an excellent job (between planking on the fuel drums), in keeping the machines in good order and in the air, and the bait buckets fine-tuned and reliable. They are the first out and last in, making sure that the equipment vital to the project's success is ready for the next day. [![](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=24075&mode=medium)](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=24075&mode=standard&sb=.jpg) In between progressing the baiting, we have been kept very busy with dismantling the bait pods for return to Tasmania, and since we have now finished baiting from the Hurd Point and Green Gorge baiting depots, the sites will be cleaned up and all unused materials flown back to the station during the next clear weather. This involves burning the spoilt bait and dismantling bait pods. Other works being completed in preparation for the hunting phase is the commissioning of the hunters' huts, and the resupply of the established huts. The hunters' huts are a cosy water tank, converted to a hut with essential amenities for field life. These are placed throughout the island, and will be the home for the hunting team for their time in the field. [![](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=24077&mode=medium)](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=24077&mode=standard&sb=.jpg) The Non-Target Mitigation Team has also been kept very busy. Their objective is to remove all poisoned carcasses from the food chain, thus reducing scavenging bird deaths. With the island totally baited, the whole island needs to be regularly scoured for carcasses. The baiting teams have been rotating into field life too, and when the weather does not allow baiting, the teams are off on the mitigation work as well. The mitigation work also allows us to get an idea of what surviving rabbits are out there. The sightings of live rabbits are very few and far between, and these sightings have been in areas which have since been baited again. Hopefully by the time that the hunting phase of the project begins, there will either be none, or only a handful of surviving rabbits." *News from Lachlan Francis - bait loader - 22 June 2011* ******************** Following the 100% coverage achieved with the first bait-spreading operation, the second helicopter run by Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project ([MIPEP](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013)) had reached 41% coverage by 10 June, according to the latest *[This Week at Macquarie Island](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=40859&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNi0xMA==)*.  Teams have also been working right across the island searching for poisoned rabbit carcasses on the surface and burying them out of reach of scavenging birds.  This is to reduce the risks of secondary poisoning, which became a significant issue following the aborted operation last year when only a small part of the island coudl be baited due to prevailing bad weather that halted flying for weeks at a time. ****************************** ****A view from the top; a helicopter pilot's perspective by Fletcher Anderson - 28 May 2011**** Read how the helicopters drop poison bait on Macquarie Island on  the MIPEP blog at [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=15267](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=15267). [Posted 2 June 2011] ************************* This week the programme achieved a very important milestone. 100% of the island has had bait coverage. This will now be repeated to ensure that any rodents or rabbits that did not find and consume bait have a second opportunity. You may wonder why this is such an important milestone. Last year weather conditions made bait laying very difficult and over a period of two months only 8% of the island was baited.  The wind and weather conditions at the island make flying helicopters with bait buckets suspended below them difficult. It is also necessary to ensure that no areas of the island miss out on bait because it gets blown off-target. Over the last month whenever wind conditions were good (that is below 30 km/h) and there was no low level cloud over the island, baiting was been carried out.  The working conditions for the people loading bait, hooking up, re-fuelling and flying helicopters are not easy; it has been between 2 degrees C and 6 degrees C, and this is particularly chilly, with a wind of 15-20 km/hr. Bait loading is hard physical labour. Taken with acknowledgement from [http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=39970&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNS0yNw](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=39970&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNS0yNw)== where several pictures of the baiting operation may be viewed. [27 May] **************** For a recent Australian Broadcasting Corporation news item (with transcript) of the eradication programme, concentrating on the dogs and showing views of and interviews on "Macca",  go to  [http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3218459.htm](http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3218459.htm). ***************** Regular visitors to *ACAP Latest News* will know that after a failed attempt to poison-bait Australia's Macquarie Island to eradicate its introduced rabbits and rodents last year the decision was made to repeat the exercise this year. Personnel of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project ([MIPEP](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013)) are now back on the island and report that by 12 May 72% of the island had been baited for the first drop by no less than four helicopters, fortunately with good weather prevailing (unlike last year).  In addition teams are scouring the island to find and bury carcasses of poisoned rabbits in an endeavour to reduce the high level of non-target mortality of seabirds (mainly giant petrels, gulls and skuas) that occurred in 2010.  There are already fewer rabbits about after the release of calcivirus in carrots in February. The entire island will be baited twice, several weeks apart.  A team of 12 dogs with their two trainers has also arrived on Macca. The dogs will be used to track down the remaining few rabbits that are expected to survive the poison drop. Go Aussies! ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/G/Grey/Grey_Petrel_by_Peter_Ryan2.jpg "Grey Petrels at Macca should do better without alien mammals. Photograph by Peter Ryan") News from [http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=38912&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNS0xMw](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=38912&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wNS0xMw). You can also follow the MIPEP blog ([click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=15267)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 May 2011, last updated 12 November 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/macquarie-island-alien-mammal-eradication-programme-going-well-nearly-two-thirds-of-the-island-baited.md) ## The 2nd World Conference on Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning to be held in Argentina in November 2011 The 2nd World Conference on Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning ([BIOLIEF 2011](http://www.grieta.org.ar/biolief)) will be held over 21-24 November 2011, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. BIOLIEF 2011 will be a forum for the presentation, discussion and synthesis of research on biological invasions in its broadestsense.  The conference will place a particular emphasis on studies concerning the impact of invasive species on ecosystemfunctioning and/or services, irrespective of taxonomic groups or ecosystem types. However, studies on any other ecologicalaspect of biological invasions will also be welcome.  Topics such as the spread of invasive species into ecosystems, thebiogeography and history of species introductions, and the community- or species-level impact of biological invasions will alsohave an important coverage in the final conference programme. The [first BIOLIEF](http://www.ciimar.up.pt/biolief/) meeting, held at Porto, Portugal in October 2009 was attended by nearly 300 people from more than 20 countries.  BIOLIEF 2011 aims to strengthen further the communication among the large international community of scientists devoted to the study of biological invasions. Submission of abstracts for oral and poster presentations at BIOLIEF 2011 are now invited: go to [www.grieta.org.ar/biolief/instructions.htm](http://www.grieta.org.ar/biolief/instructions.htm). [Click here ](https://www.acap.aq/conservation-guidelines/eradication-guidelines-acap)to access the ACAP Eradication Guidelines written to assist with the development of plans for the eradication of introduced vertebrates from breeding sites of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Gough_Island_Met_Base_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Gough Island: impacted by invasive mice. Photograph by Jphn Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-2nd-world-conference-on-biological-invasions-and-ecosystem-functioning-to-be-held-in-argentina-in-november-2011.md) ## The Third International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic will take place in Hobart, Australia in August 2011 The [Third International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic](http://www.sub-antarctic.org/) with the theme ‘The future of the sub-Antarctic Region: its global significance and value' will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on 1 and 2 August 2011. Eminent speakers will talk on the sub-Antarctic: - as a unique source of knowledge - as a climate-change sentinel - as a source of human enrichment - as an economic and environmental asset - alien species management - response to extreme events. To register your interest and subscribe to the mailing list please email [Antarctic@development.tas.gov.au](mailto:Antarctic@development.tas.gov.au). The inaugural International Forum on the Sub-Antarctic was held in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from 5-7 July 2006.  The second forum ‘*Environmental Change in the Sub-Antarctic'*was held in 2009, also in Hobart.  Proceedings of the first two fora have been published in the *Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania* ([click here](http://www.sub-antarctic.org/docs/subantproceedings.pdf) to order). The forum series was founded upon the conviction that the sub-Antarctic islands and surrounding seas should not be viewed as a subdivision of Antarctica but as a distinct circumpolar domain which has its own unique character, scientific significance and management issues. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/ALBATROSS ISLAND AND RAINBOW R Alderman_web.jpg "Albatross Island off Tasmania: home of the Shy Albatross. Photograph by Rachael Alderman") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-third-international-forum-on-the-sub-antarctic-will-take-place-in-hobart-australia-in-august-2011.md) ## ICCAT's Subcommittee on Ecosystems continues to recommend stronger measures to reduce seabird bycatch The inter-sessional meeting of the Subcommittee on Ecosystems (SC-ECO) of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ([ICCAT](http://www.iccat.es/en/)) took place from 9-13 May 2011 in Miami, Florida, USA.  The main items on the agenda were seabird and turtle bycatch, and the use of ecosystem models in fisheries management. A number of papers on seabird bycatch and mitigation was presented and discussed.  The Subcommittee noted with satisfaction the amount of research that has been conducted since the previous meeting in 2010 to assess the efficacy of seabird bycatch mitigation measures.  On the basis of the research presented and discussed, the Subcommittee reinforced its recommendation that the combined use of tori (bird-scaring) lines, line weighting and night setting would be the most effective way to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries. The Subcommittee also re-iterated the need for all member countries to collect and provide bycatch data to ICCAT's Standing Committee on Research and Statistics, and highlighted the need for further analysis, combining tracking, species distribution and bycatch data, to fill existing data gaps, and monitor levels and impacts of seabird bycatch. It was reported that the ACAP Seabird Bycatch Working Group will be meeting in August 2011, when they will be reviewing all of the recent seabird bycatch mitigation research, with the aim of producing updated advice.  The Subcommittee recommended that ACAP's updated advice and other relevant information be presented at the ICCAT SCRS meeting in Madrid, Spain from 26 September to 7 October 2011. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/iccats-subcommittee-on-ecosystems-to-discuss-seabird-bycatch-this-week-in-florida-usa) for an earlier ACAP report on the meeting's objectives. With thanks to Anton Wolfaardt, UK's Joint Nature Conservation Committee for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig3.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/iccats-subcommittee-on-ecosystems-continues-to-recommend-stronger-measures-to-reduce-seabird-bycatch.md) ## ** 28 May UPDATE ** Most recent cohort of translocated Short-tailed Albatrosses have left Japan's Mukojima Island By 25 May all the nine remaining translocated Short-tailed Albatross chicks from the 2011 cohort of 15 had left the island, bringing the number known to have fledged successfully to 14. The first chick had disappeared by 30 April, and is not thought to have fledged successfully. [News from Kiyoaki Ozaki, Division of Avian Conservation (Bird Migration Research Center), Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Japan, 28 May 2011] ********* Over the period 12-18 May five of the 14 remaining Short-tailed Albatross chicks that were translocated 350 km by helicopter from Torishima to Mukojima Island on 5 February this year and hand-fed for three months have successfully fledged. One chick had disappeared prior to fledging so nine of the original 15 remain to fledge in the next few days. PTTs (satellite trackers) have been attached to seven of the birds prior to fledging so that their movements at sea as juveniles can be followed. Already a bird has been spotted at sea away from the island. The young birds are expected to migrate to the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Sea in the North Pacific. A further 15 chicks will be translocated to Mukojima in 2012, currently the last cohort expected, that will bring the total number of translocated chicks over five years to 70. So far six from the 2008 cohort (of 10 chicks) and one from the 2009 cohort of 15 have been seen back at the translocation site this year, where they have engaged in interactions with each other and with chicks of the 2011 cohort. Search on "Mukojima" to read earlier items posted to *ACAP Latest News* on this endeavour to create a new breeding colony of STALs on a non-volcanically active island. You can also work backward from [http://www.acap.aq/latest-news/no-fooling-about-on-1-april-return-rate-of-short-tailed-albatrosses-to-mukojima-from-the-2008-translocation-cohort-reaches-60](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/no-fooling-about-on-1-april-return-rate-of-short-tailed-albatrosses-to-mukojima-from-the-2008-translocation-cohort-reaches-60). The Short-tailed Albatross is classified as a National Special Natural Treasure in Japan. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_fledging_mukojima_kiyoaki_ozaki.jpg "Translocated Short-tailed Albatross from the 2011 cohort fledges from Mukojima. Photograph by Kiyoaki Ozaki") With thanks to Kiyoaki Ozaki, Yamashina Institute for Ornithology for information and to Chuck Pell for translating articles from Japanese newspapers. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/most-recent-cohort-of-translocated-short-tailed-albatrosses-on-japans-mukojima-island-start-to-fledge.md) ## Helping the Laysan Albatross: predator removal continues inside Hawaii's first pest-proof fence The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources ([DLNR](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/)) completed construction of the first predator-proof fence in the Hawaiian Islands, and the United States, at the [Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/oahu/kaenapoint) on Oahu in March of this year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/hawaiis-first-predator-proof-fence-is-completed-and-a-high-island-laysan-albatross-breeding-colony-is-now-safe-from-predators)). Spanning nearly 700 m in length and going across a coastal peninsula, it provides 20 ha of safe habitat for numerous seabirds, including several hundred breeding Laysan Albatrosses *Phoebastria immutabilis* and thousands of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus pacificus*, as well as for 11 endangered plant species. Domestic dogs, feral cats, Indian Mongooses *Herpestes javanicus*, rats and mice were found within the reserve prior to completion of the fence despite intensive predator control and posed a significant threat to all native species in the reserve. Evaluation of rat and mouse populations over two years, including documenting the species present, seasonal population changes, home range sizes and density, informed predator removal efforts that began upon fence completion.  The two rodent species present in the reserve are Black Rats *Rattus rattus* and House Mice *Mus musculus,*with mice occurring at densities of up to four times that of rats*.* Diphacinone was chosen as it is currently the only legally available toxicant in Hawaii and has been placed in bait boxes spaced 25 m apart per pesticide label guidelines.  Because the home range of resident mice was determined to be approximately 15 m, and with uncertainty over the effectiveness of diphacinone in removing mice, multiple-catch mouse traps have also been placed every 12.5 m to augment baiting. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_chick_rodent_bait_box_kaena_point_lindsay_young.jpg "Laysan Albatross chick and rodent bait box at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/house_mouse_bait_box_kaena_point_lindsay_wilson.jpg "House Mouse in a poison bait box. Photograph by Lindsay Wilson ") Cats and mongooses were removed in relatively short order with a combination of cage trapping and padded legholds and all the dogs present were scared out during the construction process.  Based on multiple indices of abundance, the mice and rat populations within the reserve are down to the last 0.5%.  The project anticipates a successful outcome with rat removal, but is still with-holding judgment on whether mice will be able to be removed. Nonetheless, predator exclusion and removal are anticipated to result in an increase in the existing population of breeding seabirds, encourage new seabird species to nest and enhance regeneration and recruitment of native plants and invertebrates at Ka`ena Point. For more information visit the [Ka'ena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project](http://www.restorekaena.org/). *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, 22 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/helping-the-laysan-albatross-predator-removal-continues-inside-hawaiis-first-pest-proof-fence.md) ## Seabird Group to hold its 11th Conference in September in Plymouth, United Kingdom The United Kingdom's [Seabird Group](http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/) will hold its 11th Conference at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom over 2-4 September this year ([click here](http://www.seabirdgroup2011.org/)). There will be three themed sessions on the subjects of: marine renewable energy and seabirds; seabird migration; and individual specialisation in seabirds. Professor [Bob Furness](http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/ibls/staff/staff.php?who=PeQndP) of the University of Glasgow will give the plenary talk entitled "Seabird responses to environmental change: insights from 30 years of PhD supervision". The remainder of the programme will be open to general abstract submissions on any topic concerning seabird research, monitoring or conservation.  Several field excursions are being arranged, including trips out to sea. Closing date for submissions of oral and poster abstracts is 1 June 2011.  Abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific committee and notification of decisions will be sent to authors by 30 June.  A final programme will be published on 31 July. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/great_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Great Shearwater: a transequatorial migrant in the Atlantic Ocean. Photograph by John Graham") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/seabird-group-to-hold-its-11th-conference-in-september-in-plymouth-united-kingdom.md) ## Comparing tori lines to deter albatrosses and petrels from tuna longliners: which type is best? It is said that it was a Japanese tuna-fishing captain who invented the bird-scaring streamer or tori line to deter scavenging seabirds from being hooked. Publishing on-line this month in the journal *Fisheries Science* Kosuke Yokota, Hiroshi Minami amd Masashi Kiyota from the Japanese Fisheries Research Agency compare the efficacy of two designs of tori lines used in the Southern Bluefin Tuna fishery by Japanese fishers. Their paper's abstract follows: "To improve the performance of tori-lines (bird-scaring lines) in reducing incidental catch of large seabirds (albatrosses and giant petrels) in the pelagic longline fishery, we analyzed factors affecting the performance of tori-lines based on data collected by Japanese scientific observers in the southern bluefin tuna *Thunnus maccoyii* fishery from 2002 to 2005.  We classified the variety of tori-lines by the main tori-line length and the streamer type.  Two types of streamers were identified: type A, several long streamers made of nylon cord attached to the main tori-line by metal swivels; type B, many short streamers made of polypropylene packing bands braided into the main tori-line.  In a model analysis, we found that the main tori-line length was an important factor affecting tori-line performance, and the two types of streamers had similar effectiveness. Since the light type B streamer has the advantage of practical feasibility, this type can be another option for use in tori-lines if used with a main tori-line of sufficient length." **Reference:** Yokota, K., Minami, H. & Kiyota, M. 2011.  Effectiveness of tori-lines for further reduction of incidental catch of seabirds in pelagic longline fisheries.  *Fisheries Science* [DOI: 10.1007/s12562-011-0357-4](http://www.springerlink.com/content/e657433672668l24/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/comparing-tori-lines-to-deter-albatrosses-and-petrels-from-tuna-longliners-which-type-is-best.md) ## Recent Spanish research on the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater: a potential candidate for ACAP listing UPDATED An International  Action Plan compiled by José Manuel Arcos and commissioned by the European Commission is now available for the Balearic Shearwater ([click here](http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/action_plans/docs/puffinus_puffinus_mauretanicus.pdf)). **Reference:** Arcos, J.M. (compiler) 2011. International species action plan for the Balearic shearwater, *Puffinus mauretanicus*. SEO/BirdLife & BirdLife International. 49 pp.  ************ At the Fifth Meeting of ACAP's Scientific Committee held in Argentina in 2010 an information paper ([AC5 Inf5](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-information-papers)) submitted by the Secretariat gave a brief review of the conservation status of shearwaters of the genera *Calonectris* and *Puffinus*.  The paper suggested that nine species (out of a total of 22) might be considered for listing within the Agreement. The [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026)  Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*, endemic to the Spanish Mediterranean, is one of these candidate species. Dr Maite Louzao, who completed her doctorate on the species in 2006, has been co-authoring papers on the Balearic Shearwater over the last several years.  Her thesis and recent publications on shearwaters of the Mediterranean are listed here. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater3_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwater in the hand. Photograph by Daniel Oro") Louzao Arsuaga, M. 2006.  Conservation biology of the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*: bridging the gaps between breeding colonies and marine foraging grounds.  [Tesi Doctoral](http://www.imedea.uib.es/bc/gep/docs/pdfsgrupo/tesis/Tesis_definitivo.pdf), IMEDEA, Universitat de les Iles Balears, Setembre 2006.  199 pp. ***************** Laneri, K., Louzao, M., Martínez-Abraín, A., Arcos, J.M., Belda, E. J., Guallart, J., Sánchez, A., Giménez, M., Maestre, R. & Oro, D. 2010.  Trawling regime influences longline seabird bycatch in the Mediterranean: new insights from a small-scale fishery.  [*Marine Ecology Progress Series* 420: 241-252](http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v420/p241-252/). Louzao, M., Arcos, J.M., Guijarro, B., Valls, M. & Oro, D. 2011.  Seabird-trawling interactions: factors affecting species-specific to regional community utilisation of fisheries waste.  [Fisheries Oceanography  doi:10.1111/j.1365-2419.2011.00579.x](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2419.2011.00579.x/abstract). Louzao, M., Navarro, J., Forero, M.G.. Igual, J.M. Genovart, M., Hobson, K.A. & Oro, D. 2011.  Exploiting the closest productive area: geographical segregation of foraging grounds in a critically endangered seabird.  [*Marine Ecology Progress Series* 429: 291-301](http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v429/p291-301/). Navarro, J., Coll, M., Louzao, M., Palomera, I., Delgado, A. & Forero, M.G. 2011.  Comparison of ecosystem modelling and isotopic approach as ecological tools to investigate food webs in the NW Mediterranean Sea.  [*Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology* 401: 97-104](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8F-52F7TJS-2&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2011&_rdoc=15&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235085%232011%23995989998%233149739%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5085&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=20&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e84e156d2aa03d6605465e0881bf794f&searchtype=a). Navarro, J. Louzao, M., Igual, J.M., Oro, D., Delgado, A., Arcos, J.M., Genovart, M., Hobson, K.A. & Forero, M.G. 2009.  Seasonal changes in the diet of a critically endangered seabird and the importance of trawling discards.  [*Marine Biology* 156: 2571-2578](http://www.springerlink.com/content/tt00467v7j235851/). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/conservation-research-on-the-balearic-shearwater-of-the-mediterranean-a-potential-acap-species) for a previous list of scientific publications on the Balearic Shearwater. With thanks to [Maite Louzao](https://sites.google.com/site/maitelouzao/), UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Germany and Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, France for information and PDFs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/recent-spanish-research-on-the-critically-endangered-balearic-shearwater-a-potential-candidate-for-acap-listing.md) ## Westland Petrels race across the Pacific from New Zealand to South America (and back again a little slower) Todd Landers of the [Auckland War Memorial Museum](http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/)  and the [School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland](http://www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/), New Zealand and colleagues from three countries have published in the ornithological journal *[The Condor](http://www.cooper.org/publications/Condor.htm)* on the cross ocean basin migration of the little-studied Westland Petrel *Procellaria westlandica*, an ACAP-listed species endemic as a breeding bird to New Zealand. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/Westland/Westland_Petrel_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "Westland Petrel at sea. Photograph by Barry Baker") The paper's abstract follows: "Knowledge of the dynamics of long-distance migrations of pelagic seabirds is limited.  Recent advances in tracking technology have yielded detailed, continuous accounts of the movements of individual seabirds over large spatial and temporal scales.  We studied the timing of migration and year-round distribution of the Westland Petrel (*Procellaria westlandica*), listed by the IUCN as vulnerable, with miniature archival light loggers (geolocators) deployed on 10 incubating birds breeding in 2007 at Westland, New Zealand.  We retrieved data from eight Westland Petrels, indicating the birds migrated in November directly east 7000 km from the coast of New Zealand to South American waters in 6 days (range 4-7), then returned the following April in 10 days (range 8-13).  The durations of an individual's outward and return flights and the dates of its outward and return migrations were positively correlated.  During their journeys east and west, birds spent on average (±SD) 9.9% (±9.7) and 17.2% (±12.0), respectively, of their time on the water.  There was also considerable variation in individuals' foraging areas: while breeding, birds used three major coastal areas <1200 km from their colony; during the nonbreeding period, six birds remained off the south coast of Chile, while two others continued their migration through the Drake Passage to waters off southern Argentina.  These results expand the known distribution of the species, identify new key foraging areas, and show patterns of outward and return migration behavior consistent in individuals." **Reference:** Landers, T., Rayner, M.J., Phillips, R.A. & Hauber, M.E. 2011.  Movements by a trans-Pacific migrant, the Westland Petrel.  [*The Condor* 113: 71-79](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1525/cond.2011.100064). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/westland-petrels-race-across-the-pacific-from-new-zealand-to-south-america-and-back-again-a-little-slower.md) ## Human-caused mortality should not exceed 1.5% of the numbers of breeding albatrosses and petrels Peter Dillingham (George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, USA) and David Fletcher **(**Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Otago, New Zealand) write on-line in the journal *[Biological Conservation](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00063207)* on what level of anthropogenic mortality of threatened albatrosses and petrels should not be exceeded. The paper's abstract follows: "Seabirds such as albatrosses and petrels are frequently caught in longline and trawl fisheries, but limited demographic data for many species creates management challenges.  A method for estimating the potential biological removal (the *PBR* method) for birds requires knowledge of adult survival, age at first breeding, a conservation goal, and the lower limit of a 60% confidence interval for the population size.  For seabirds, usually only the number of breeding pairs is known, rather than the actual population size.  This requires estimating the population size from the number of breeding pairs when important demographic variables, such as breeding success, juvenile survival, and the proportion of the adult population that engages in breeding, are unknown.  In order to do this, a simple population model was built where some demographic parameters were known while others were constrained by considering plausible asymptotic estimates of the growth rate.  While the median posterior population estimates are sensitive to the assumed population growth rate, the 20th percentile estimates are not.  This allows the calculation of a modified *PBR* value that is based on the number of breeding pairs instead of the population size.  For threatened albatross species, this suggests that human-caused mortalities should not exceed 1.5% of the number of breeding pairs, while for threatened petrel species, mortalities should be kept below 1.2% of the number of breeding pairs.  The method is applied to 22 species and sub-species of albatrosses and petrels in New Zealand that are of management concern, of which at least 10 have suffered mortalities near or above these levels." **Reference:** Dillingham, P.W. & Fletcher, D. 2011.  Potential biological removal of albatrosses and petrels with minimal demographic information.  *Biological Conservation* [doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.014](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.014). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Campbell/Campbell Albatross flying by Aleks Terauds.jpg "Campbell Albatross, endemic to New Zealand. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/human-caused-mortality-should-not-exceed-15-of-the-numbers-of-breeding-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## Satellite-tracking Southern Giant Petrels in Argentinian waters: females move in deeper waters Sofia Copello and colleagues have satellite-tracked male and female Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* from breeding colonies in Patagonia, publishing their findings in the journal *Marine Biology*. The paper's abstract follows: "The study of how and why marine animals distribute themselves at sea has important conservation and management implications of the species and their habitats.  We characterize the oceanographic and biological landscapes of the marine areas used by breeding Southern Giant Petrels (*Macronectes giganteus*) at Patagonian colonies and explore inter-sexual and inter-colony differences.  The at-sea movements of 16 adults (7 males and 9 females) were studied by means of satellite telemetry techniques during 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2004 breeding seasons.  Southern Giant Petrels utilized an oceanographic scenario characterized by high productivity, warm sea surface temperature, and shallow waters.  The biological landscape was characterized by a high availability of squid and carrion nearby colonies.  Females spent more time in the shelf break and exploited deeper waters than males.  In contrast, males spent more time in coastal areas and they showed a higher spatial overlap with areas of high squid density than females.  Such a prosperous foraging scenario for both sexes may play a key role in the growth of the breeding population of Southern Giant Petrel Patagonian colonies." **Reference:** Copello, S., Dogliotti, A.I., Gagliardini, D.A. & Quintana, F. 2011.  Oceanographic and biological landscapes used by the Southern Giant Petrel during the breeding season at the Patagonian Shelf.  [*Marine Biology*](http://www.springerlink.com/content/h1u3311vn8363135) DOI: 10.1007/s00227-011-1645-3. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/southern_giant_petrel_colony_isla_arce.jpg "Southern Giant Petrels breeding on Isla Arce, Argentina. Photograph from Sofia Copello")](http://www.springerlink.com/content/?Author=Sof%c3%ada+Copello) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/satellite-tracking-southern-giant-petrels-in-argentinian-waters-females-move-in-deeper-waters.md) ## Fishing for plastic, not for fish: could it reduce the numbers of seabirds dying from ingestion and entanglement? Fishers will be paid to catch plastic, rather than fish, under a new plan from the European Union's fisheries chief, aimed at providing fleets with an alternative source of income to reduce pressure on dwindling fish stocks. Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Fisheries, unveiled a trial project in the Mediterranean this month, which will see fishers use nets to round up plastic at sea and send it for recycling ([click here](http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/04/eu-fishermen-catch-plastic)). "Fishers who clear plastic will be subsidised initially by EU member states, but in future the scheme could turn into a self-sustaining profitable enterprise, as fleets cash in on the increasing value of recycled plastics.  Cleaning up the rubbish will also improve the prospects for fish, seabirds and other marine species, which frequently choke or suffer internal damage from ingesting small pieces of non-biodegradable packaging." Extension of such a scheme to those parts of the World's oceans where plastic pollution causes mortality of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels might be a valid conservation measure.  For example, ridding the North Pacific Ocean of at least some of its floating plastic cigarette lighters should reduce the numbers fed to their chicks by the albatrosses of the Hawaiian islands ([click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/publications/PacificSeabirds/VOL_31_1.pdf) for an article  on cigarette lighters ingested by the albatrosses of the USA's Midway Atoll). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/black-footed_albatross_kaena_point_lindsay_young.jpg "Black-footed Albatrosses can mistakenly swallow floating plastic objects. Photograph by Lindsay Young") The [Fifth International Marine Debris Conference](http://www.5imdc.org/) took place in Hawaii in March this year.  The conference developed the Honolulu Strategy which: "sets forth a results-oriented framework of action with the overarching goal to reduce impacts of marine debris over the next 10 years.  This goal will be achieved through the collective action of committed stakeholders at global, regional, country, local, and individual levels.  The Honolulu Strategy is being developed through an iterative process working with debris managers and practitioners around the globe." *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/fishing-for-plastic-not-for-fish-could-it-reduce-the-numbers-of-seabird-dying-from-ingestion-and-entanglement.md) ## Inheriting movements at sea? The case of the Wandering Albatross Anne Charmantier of the [Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive](http://www.cefe.cnrs.fr/) in Montpellier, France and colleagues have looked at whether natal dispersal of Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* may have a heritable component, publishing on-line this month in the *[Journal of Evolutionary Biology](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1420-9101)*. The paper's abstract follows: Natal dispersal is a key life history trait for the evolution and adaptation of wild populations. Although its evolution has repeatedly been related to the social and environmental context faced by individuals, parent-offspring regressions have also highlighted a possible heritable component.  In this study, we explore heritability of natal dispersal, at the scale of the sub-Antarctic Possession Island, for a large-scale foraging seabird, the Wandering albatross *Diomedea exulans*, exploiting a pedigree spanning over four decades and a maximum of four generations.  The comparison of three different methods shows that heritability on the liability scale can vary drastically depending on the type of model (heritability from 6% to 86%), with a notable underestimation by restricted maximum likelihood animal models (6%) compared to Bayesian animal models (36%).  In all cases, however, our results point to significant additive genetic variance in the individual propensity to disperse, after controlling for substantial effects of sex and natal colony.  These results reveal promising evolutionary potential for short-scale natal dispersal, which could play a critical role for the long-term persistence of this species on the long run. **Reference:** Charmantier, A., Buoro, M., Gimenez, O. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011.  Heritability of short-scale natal dispersal in a large-scale foraging bird, the Wandering Albatross.  [*Journal of Evolutionary Biology*DOI:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02281.x](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02281.x/full). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatrosses_marion_cobus_cronje.jpg "Where do they wander? A pair interacts at Marion Island. Photograph by Cobus Cronje") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 30 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/inheriting-movements-at-sea-the-case-of-the-wandering-albatross.md) ## Satellite-tracking Pink-footed Shearwaters on their northerly migration from Chile On 30 April and 1 May this year, Josh Adams and Valentina Colodro of [Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge](http://www.oikonos.org/whatsnew.htm), together with Chilean park rangers, attached nine solar-powered satellite transmitters to breeding Pink-footed Shearwaters *Puffinus creatopus* on Isla Mocha, Chile to follow their post-breeding northern migration along the entire coast of the Americas. [Click here](http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/index.shtml?project_id=612) to follow the at-sea movements of these nine birds, all of which have been transmitting for a month as they move north, with the northernmost birds already having reached Mexican waters. [Click here](http://www.oikonos.org/projects/fardela_migration.htm) for information on previous tracking efforts on this Chilean endemic and potential candidate for listing within ACAP. The study, led by Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, [American Bird Conservancy](http://www.abcbirds.org/) and the Canadian Wildlife Service with logistical and in-kind support from the Chilean [Corporación Nacional Forestal](http://www.conaf.cl/index.html)(CONAF). With thanks to Peter Hodum for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Pink_footed/pink-footed_shearwater_peter_hodum.jpg "Pink-footed Shearwater, a trans-equatorial migrant endemic to Chile. Photograph by Peter Hodum") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 May 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/satellite-tracking-pink-footed-shearwaters-on-their-northerly-migration-from-chile.md) ## New Zealand releases a draft policy to reduce fisheries-related mortality for comment The New Zealand [Ministry of Fisheries](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/default.htm) and the [Department of Conservation](http://www.doc.govt.nz/) are seeking public comment by 7 June 2011 on a draft [Seabird Policy](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental/Seabirds.htm). The policy aims to reduce the fishing-related mortality of seabirds by putting in place a risk-based approach to managing fishing interactions with seabirds, targeting those species most at risk.  The policy will be integrated into both Fisheries Plans - the Ministry of Fisheries' principal tool for achieving fisheries outcomes - and the Department of Conservation's Conservation Services Programme.  The draft Seabird Policy will be implemented over the next year. The document upon which comments are sought  is: **Draft Seabird Policy** - the policy sets out the process that government and stakeholders will use to assess the fishing-related mortality of seabirds and design appropriate management actions that will be delivered through Fisheries Plans, Annual Operating Plans and other means. In addition to the draft Seabird Policy the following [background documents](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental/Seabirds.htm) provide further context and detail about the draft seabird policy and the approach taken: **Seabird Action Plan** - this document summarises the range of actions either planned or currently being taken to manage fishing interactions with seabirds.  It brings together the management actions from across the three relevant Fisheries Plans, the Department of Conservation, as well as actions being taken by industry and non-government organisations. **Draft seabird risk assessment** - this document is the scientific paper describing the level 2 risk assessment process in detail.  This risk assessment has been subject to extensive review by the Aquatic Environment Working Group and the final report is expected in May 2011. **Draft risk assessment results** - this table lists all New Zealand seabird species assessed through both the level 2 risk assessment, and a previous level 1 risk assessment.  A combined risk score covering findings from both assessments has been developed and broken down by fishery.  The results from the risk assessment form the empirical basis for the Seabird Policy. **A self assessment of New Zealand's activities against the FAO best practice guidelines** - an overview of the range of activities New Zealand is carrying out and how these activities align with the FAO's ‘Best Practice Guidelines to Reduce Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Capture Fisheries'. **Description of current mitigation measures** - this document describes in more detail the range of mitigation measures in place to address fishing related mortality of seabirds. **Questions and answers** - this document contains a list of questions and answers that will help provide some of the context for the draft Seabird Policy and Seabird Action Plan. To comment on the draft Seabird Policy please complete the online survey form by7 June 2011.  Please direct any additional questions to [seabirdpolicy@fish.govt.nz](mailto:toseabirdpolicy@fish.govt.nz). News from Ministry of Fisheries | Te Tautiaki i nga tini a Tangaroa, Wellington, New Zealand. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Bullers/bullers_alblaross_chris_golding.jpg "Buller's Albatross, a New Zealand endemic at risk from fishery-induced mortality. Photograph by Chris Golding") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-zealand-releases-a-draft-policy-to-reduce-fisheries-related-mortality-for-comment.md) ## Trace metal concentrations in Black-browed Albatrosses off Argentina Juan Pablo Seco Pon (ACAP's South American News Correspondent, based at the [Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata](http://79.125.109.44/expert/argentina/facultad-de-ciencias-exactas-y-naturales-27057.html) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas ([CONICET](http://www.conicyt.cl/bases/dri/contraparte/CONICET.html)), Buenos Aires, Argentina) and colleagues, publishing on-line in the journal *[Marine Environmental Research](http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405865/description#description)* have looked at trace metal concentrations in feathers of Black-browed Albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* killed by longliners in Argentinian waters. The paper's abstract follows: "We investigated the concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, nickel, lead and zinc among feather tissues in sexes of Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophrys* killed in longliners off Argentina in 2005.  We found no different metal concentration with sex for cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc in feathers of adult birds, though there were significant body-size differences between sexes.  However, the concentrations of trace metals differed significantly among the type of feather within individual bird.  The mean concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc in breast feathers of *T. melanophrys* were lower than those reported for the species from Georgias del Sur/South Georgia, the southern Indian Ocean and for other seabirds' worldwide.  While cadmium fall within the known range of concentrations for bird feathers lead were not.  Our results may be indicating that level of pollution in Patagonia may not be as negligible as previously thought at least for some trace metals." **Reference:** Seco Pon, J.P., Beltrame, O., Marcovecchio, J., Favero, M. & Gandini, P. 2011.  [Trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in feathers of Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophrys* attending the Patagonian Shelf](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V7H-52V369X-1&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F11%2F2011&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235843%239999%23999999999%2399999%23FLA%23display%23Articles)&_cdi=5843&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=11&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=3565a0a7681c926dd1a814601a6fcdfb&searchtype=a).  *Marine Environmental Research* [doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.04.004](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.04.004). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed albatross flying by juan pablo seco pon.jpg "Black-browed Albatross. Photograph by Juan Pablo Seco Pon") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/trace-metal-concentrations-in-black-browed-albatrosses-off-argentina.md) ## Recent publications on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels It is the aim of *ACAP Latest News* to list all scientific publications on ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels as they appear in the literature.  For most papers the abstracts are included.  However, from time to time others will be listed by title only - as for the suite below. Recent publications on "potential candidate" shearwater species of the genera *Calonectris* and *Puffinus* will appear soon in separate postings. You can help by submitting PDFs of your relevant scientific papers for listing to John Cooper at [john.cooper@acap.aq](mailto:john.cooper@acap.aq). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/B/Black/Black_Petrel_by_Dept_of_Conservation_New_Zealand.jpg "Black Petrel. New Zealand Department of Conservation") **Publications:** Clark, J.M. & Hawke, D.J. 2001.  The sub-Antarctic mite *Ayersacarus*: a new species from mainland New Zealand, and its isotopic ecology (Acari: Mesostigmata: Leptolaelapidae) [*New Zealand Journal of Zoology* 38: 43-54](http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a935112376). [Westland Petrel *Procellaria westlandica*] Foote, C.G., Francis Daunt[,](http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/1/156.short#aff-2) F., Gonzales-Solis. J., Nasir, L., Phillips, R.A. & Monagahan, P. 2010.  Individual state and survival prospects: age, sex, and telomere length in a long-lived seabird.  [*Behavioral Ecology* 22 156-161](http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/1/156.short).  [Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*] Grantham, H.S., Game, E.T., Lombard, A.T., Hobday, A.J., Richardson, A.J., Beckley, L.E., Pressey, R.L., Huggett, J.A., Coetzee, J.C., van der Lingen, C.D., Petersen, S.L., Merkle, D. & Possingham, H.P. 2011.  Accommodating dynamic oceanographic processes and pelagic biodiversity in marine conservation planning.  [*PLoS One  *doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016552](http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016552). Ivar do Sul, J.A., Barnes, D.K.A., Costa, M.F., Convey, P., Costa, E.S. & Campos, L. 2011.  Plastics in the Antarctic environment: are we looking only at the tip of the iceberg?  [*Oecologia Australis*15: 150-170](http://www.oecologiaaustralis.org/ojs/index.php/oa/article/viewFile/oeco.2011.1501.11/504). Krüger, L. & Petry, M.V. 2011.  On the relation of Antarctic and Subantarctic seabirds with abiotic variables of south and southeast Brazil.  [*Oecologia Australis* 15: 51-58](http://www.oecologiaaustralis.org/ojs/index.php/oa/article/view/oeco.2011.1501.05/498). Ribic, C.A., Ainley, D.G., Ford, R.G., Fraser, W.R., Tynan, C.T. & Woehler, E.J. 2011.  Water masses, ocean fronts, and the structure of Antarctic seabird communities: putting the eastern Bellingshausen Sea in perspective.  [*Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography*](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09670645)* *[doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2009.09.017](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2009.09.017). Ruhl, H.A., Ellena, J.A., Wilson, R.C. & Helly, J. 2011.  Seabird aggregation around free-drifting icebergs in the northwest Weddell and Scotia Seas.  [*Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography*](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09670645) 58: 1497-1504. [Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*] Schneider Costa, E. ,Ayala, L., Ivar do Sul, J.A., Coria, N.R., Sanchez-Scaglioni, R.E., dos Santos Alves, M.A.S., Petry, M.V. & Piedrahita, P.2011.  Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds in South America: a review.  [*Oecologia Australis* 15: 59-68](http://www.oecologiaaustralis.org/ojs/index.php/oa/article/viewFile/oeco.2011.1501.06/499). Wagner, E.L. & Boersma, P.D. 2011.  Effects of fisheries on seabird community ecology.  [*Reviews in Fisheries Science* 19: 157-167](http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a936022802). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/recent-publications-on-acap-listed-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## Southern Giant Petrels breeding within the Antarctic Treaty Area: a call for information The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels has recently developed a database to assist with on-going conservation efforts for species listed under the Agreement.  Some aspects of this database are accessible to the general public via this web site (click on the **Data Portal Quick Link** on the home page). Currently, Parties to ACAP provide population data for these species breeding on an annual basis via the ACAP Advisory Committee's Status and Trends Working Group. The Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus* is the only ACAP-listed species that breeds outside national jurisdictions, on and around the Antarctic Continent.  ACAP wishes to reach researchers (including but not restricted to those involved through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research ([SCAR](http://www.scar.org)) and its Expert Group on Birds and Marine Mammals ([SCAR-EGBAMM](http://www.egbamm.scar.org)) that monitor Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* in the Antarctic Treaty Area - the Antarctic Continent and associated islands south of 60°S) but have had no connection as yet with ACAP through a Party, and ask that they consider making their monitoring data available. To clarify how ACAP would use any submitted data please consult the "Rules for access and use of status and trends, and breeding sites data submitted to, and maintained by ACAP" as adopted at the last ACAP Advisory Committee meeting in 2010 (see Annex 3 in [AC 5 Doc 11 Rev 3](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-meeting-documents)). If you are able to assist (or know of someone else who could help), or have any questions regarding ACAP's work, contact Wiesława Misiak, ACAP Science Officer at [Wieslawa.Misiak@acap.aq](mailto:Wieslawa.Misiak@acap.aq), who will also supply a pro-forma spread sheet for capturing data. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for the Southern Giant Petrel and [here](https://www.acap.aq/management-plans/mgmt-plans-sgp) to access a list of management plans and visitor site guidelines for Antarctic colonies of Southern Giant Petrels. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_flying_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg "Southern Giant Petrel. Photograph by Warwick Barnes") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/southern-giant-petrels-breeding-within-the-antarctic-treaty-area-a-call-for-information.md) ## Recent publications on Puffinus shearwaters At the Fifth Meeting of ACAP's Scientific Committee held in Argentina in 2010 an information paper ([AC5 Inf 5](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-information-papers)) submitted by the Secretariat gave a brief review of the conservation status of shearwaters of the genera *Calonectris* and *Puffinus*.  The paper suggested that nine species (out of a total of 22) might be considered for listing within the Agreement. To aid in any further consideration of listing shearwaters within the Agreement, *ACAP Latest News* will from time to time list recent scientific publications on the following species: **Mediterranean and Macaronesian Regions** [Cory's Shearwater *Calonectris diomedea*](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/spanish-research-on-calonectris-shearwaters) [Cape Verde Shearwater *Calonectris edwardsii*](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/cape-verde-shearwater-a-little-studied-species-at-risk-from-human-exploitation) [Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/recent-spanish-research-on-the-critically-endangered-balearic-shearwater-a-potential-candidate-for-acap-listing) [Yelkouan Shearwater *Puffinus yelkouan*](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/recent-french-research-on-the-diet-of-the-yelkouan-shearwater-published-online) **Southern Hemisphere** [Wedge-tailed Shearwater *Puffinus pacificus*](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/research-on-wedge-tailed-shearwaters-2000-2010) [Flesh-footed Shearwater *Puffinus carneipes*](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/flesh-footed-shearwaters-are-at-risk-from-longline-fisheries-in-australian-waters) [Pink-footed Shearwater *Puffinus creatopus*](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/the-pink-footed-shearwater-endemic-to-chile-is-the-subject-of-international-conservation-efforts) Sooty Shearwater *Puffinus griseus* [Short-tailed Shearwater *Puffinus tenuirostris*](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/recent-studies-on-short-tailed-shearwaters) Click on the above names for earlier publication lists in *ACAP Latest News.* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Wedge_tailed/wedge-tailed shearwater_alan_burger.jpg "Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Photograph by Alan Burger") **Publications:** Carey, M. 2011.  Incubation routine, duration of foraging trips and regulation of body mass in Short-tailed Shearwaters (*Ardenna tenuirostris*).  [*Emu* 111: 166-171](http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MU10043.htm). Carey, M. 2011.  Investigator disturbance reduces reproductive success in Short-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus tenuirostris.  [Ibis](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2011.01109.x/full)*[153: 363-372.](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2011.01109.x/full) Coyne, P. 2010.  Ecological rebound on Phillip Island, South Pacific*.  [Ecological Restoration and Management](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00507.x/full)*[11: 4-15](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00507.x/full). [Wedge-tailed *P. pacificus* and Flesh-footed *P. carneipes* Shearwaters] Hyrenbach, K.D. 2011.  Tale of two years: monitoring Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at Freeman Seabird Preserve in Black Point, O'ahu.  [*‘Elepaio* 71: 17-20](http://www.hawaiiaudubon.com/newsletter/el0411.pdf). Norman, F.I., Dann, P., Montague, T.L., Unthank, S. & Thoday, R. 2010.  Long-term changes in the flora and avifauna of Rabbit Island, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria.  [*The Victorian Naturalist*](http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=743717395948154;res=IELHSS) 127: 160-167. [Short-tailed Shearwater *Puffinus tenuirostris*] Toge, K., Yamashita, R., Kazama, K., Fukuwaka, M., Yamamura, O. & Watanuki, Y. 2011.  The relationship between pink salmon biomass and the body condition of Short-tailed Shearwaters in the Bering Sea: can fish compete with seabirds?  [*Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences*.  doi: 10.1098/rspb.2010.2345](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/01/20/rspb.2010.2345.abstract). Uhlmann, S.S. & Jeschke, J.M. 2011.  Comparing factors associated with total and dead Sooty Shearwater bycatch in New Zealand trawl fisheries.  *Biological Conservation* [doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.02.025](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.02.025). A separate list will be posted soon on the two species of *Calonectris* shearwaters. Alerts (preferably with accompanying PDFs) of new publications on the above shearwater species can be sent to [john.cooper@acap.aq](mailto:john.cooper@acap.aq)  for future listings in *ACAP Latest News*. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/recent-publications-on-puffinus-shearwaters.md) ## Brazil passes a new law to protect seabirds from longline fishing Brazil has passed a law determining that longline fishing vessels are to take action to minimize the incidental catch of albatrosses and petrels.  The new law came into force in April this year and is to be followed by all vessels operating in waters under Brazilian jurisdiction south of 20°S. The new law ([Instrução Normativa Interministerial (INI) n° 4](http://www.pesca.sp.gov.br/noticia.php?id_not=8433)) determines that fishers must use bird-scaring (tori) lines with suspended coloured streamers and also deploy at least 60-g weights at least 2 m from hooks to increase the sink rate.  The new law also requires reporting of the numbers of birds caught. In addition, upon request, longliners are to allow the presence of researchers or observers onboard. "The highest risk of attacks occurs within 75 m, as this is where the hooks remain on the surface the longest", explained biologist Tatiana Neves, coordinator of Projeto Albatroz.  According to Tatiana Neves, the new law is an important tool for the conservation of albatrosses and petrels in Brazil, and reflects the work done in collaboration with the fishing industries and fishers.  "Without their support", she said, "it would be impossible to find effective measures to save our seabirds". Studies undertaken by Projeto Albatroz have shown that without a bird-scaring line, 90 birds are caught for every 100 000 hooks set.  If the now legally-required mitigation measures are used, the number drops to 37, a 60% reduction in the mortality rate, as well as a 15% increase in fishing productivity.  During 2010, however, no seabirds were reported caught when fishers used the measures. The use of mitigating measures does not affect fishing productivity.  "We have always been concerned about the impact of the measures on the production of the vessels", Tatiana Neves remarks. "This year the experiments of Projeto Albatroz, besides testing new measures, are focused on the study of the impact of the mitigating action on production and stocks". Projeto Albatroz is sponsored by the [Petrobras Environmental Program](http://www.petrobras.com.br/en/) and works in partnership with the [BirdLife Albatross Task Force](http://www.birdlife.org/seabirds/save-the-albatross.html), the Royal Society for the Protection of the Birds ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)) and [Save Brasil](http://www.savebrasil.org.br/). The new law meets international recommendations by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ([ICCAT](http://www.iccat.es/en/)), and also follows the guidelines of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. The conservation of albatrosses and petrels in Brazilian waters is further provided for by a National Action Plan for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (NPOA-Seabirds) adopted in June 2006 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2008-news-archive/south-america-forges-ahead-with-npoa-seabirds)). See also [http://www.savebrasil.org.br/?q=content/nova-medida-protecao-albatrozes-petreis](http://www.savebrasil.org.br/?q=content/nova-medida-protecao-albatrozes-petreis). With thanks to Orea Anderson and Projeto Albatroz for information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_01_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/brazil-passes-a-new-law-to-protect-seabirds-from-longline-fishing.md) ## Progress towards a National Plan of Action - Seabirds by the European Commission The European Commission has been assessing the evidence needed to develop an EU Plan of Action for reducing incidental bycatch of seabirds, originally with a view to a plan by 2009.  The initiative at that time applied only to fishing in European Union waters, not to the external waters where EU-flagged vessels contribute to the bycatch of globally threatened ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels. BirdLife International has presented the Commission with a 'shadow plan' reflecting its priorities based on the 2009 FAO Best Practice Technical Guidelines ([*FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries No. 1, Suppl. 2*](http://www.fao.org/fishery/publications/technical-guidelines/en)).  The Commission then issued its own plan framework which was subjected to cost-benefit analysis by the UK-based Marine Resources Assessment Group ([MRAG](http://www.mrag.co.uk/)), drawing on questionnaire interviews with fishers in various European ports, but also extensively on BirdLife data. Following this [BirdLife Europe](http://www.birdlife.org/regional/europe/index.html) collected [23 000 signatures](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2010/06/seabird-petition.html) (the majority gathered by the UK partner, [RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)) calling for an urgent and robust plan to address the seabird toll (estimated at 200 000 birds a year in EU waters alone) by EU fishing gears.  This toll includes around an estimated 100 000 birds drowned annually in Baltic Sea gill-nets, and an estimated 50 000 birds (including 40 000 Great Shearwaters *Puffinus gravis*) killed by the demersal longline fishery for hake on the Gran Sol grounds off south-west Ireland. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/great_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Great Shearwater, a trans-equatorial migrant in the Atlantic Ocean. Photograph by John Graham") In June 2010 BirdLife presented EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki with the [petition](http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2010/06/seabird-petition.html) in the form of a photo-montage of a [Cory's Shearwater](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3926) *Calonectris diomedea*, a common victim of long lines in the Mediterranean (and a potential candidate for listing within ACAP).  The image was a mosaic of 2300 seabird photos and fishing vessels, each ‘pixel' representing 10 signatures. The Commission'snow intends to produce a plan, addressing both EU and (significantly for ACAP-listed species) external waters by the end of 2011.  In parallel, the Commission is expected to present a proposal for reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy in July this year, embracing an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management which will cater for impacts on seabirds. For further details on progress with the European Union's NPOA-Seabirds visit: [http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/seabirds/contributions/birdlife_international_en.pdf](http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/seabirds/contributions/birdlife_international_en.pdf) [http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/seabirds/index_en.htm](http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/seabirds/index_en.htm) [http://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/the-european-union-launches-a-public-consultation-towards-a-seabird-bycatch-plan-of-action](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/the-european-union-launches-a-public-consultation-towards-a-seabird-bycatch-plan-of-action) With thanks to Euan Dunn, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/progress-towards-a-national-plan-of-action-seabirds-by-the-european-commission.md) ## Getting FAME-ous by tracking Cory's Shearwaters from Portugal FAME - [Future of the Atlantic Marine Environment](http://www.fameproject.eu/en/) - is an international project which aims to help conserve the Atlantic marine environment.  The FAME Project brings together five countries (France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) "which have an interest, knowledge and expertise in the marine environment, ranging from seabird tracking and monitoring to mapping, data analysis and engagement with the offshore renewable energy and fisheries sectors". Since 2010 as part of the FAME Project Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea* (a potential candidate species for ACAP listing) breeding in the [Berlengas Archipelago](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlengas) eight kilometres off the coast of Portugal have been tagged with [GPS loggers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_tracking_unit) ([click here](http://www.fameproject.eu/en/results/) for details).  More birds are being tagged this year (20 in May and 20 more come September). The Berlengas Archipelago has been declared a marine Important Bird Area ( [IBA](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=369)), and is currently home to the last remaining seabird colonies in mainland Portugal. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater. Photograph by John Graham") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 June 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/getting-fame-ous-by-tracking-corys-shearwaters-from-portugal.md) ## Over 300 000 seabirds killed annually by the World's longliners? Endangered Species Research publishes a review UPDATED Orea Anderson and colleagues of the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)) and [BirdLife International](http://www.birdlife.org./) working with the [BirdLife Global Seabird Programme](http://www.birdlife.org./action/science/species/seabirds/index.html) have published an open-access review of how many seabirds are killed by longline fisheries world-wide in the journal *[Endangered Species Research](http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-home/).* Publication of the review has been set to coincide with [World Oceans Day](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Oceans_Day) yesterday. The paper's abstract follows: "Bycatch in longline fisheries is believed to govern the adverse conservation status of many seabird species, but no comprehensive global assessment has been undertaken.  We review the extent of seabird bycatch in all longline fisheries for which data are available.  Despite the many inadequacies and assumptions contained therein, we estimate that at least 160000 (and potentially in excess of 320000) seabirds are killed annually.  Most frequently caught are albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, with current levels of mortality liable to be unsustainable for some species and populations.  Where realistic comparisons can be made, with data from the 1990s, there is evidence of substantially reduced bycatch in some key fisheries.  Reductions stem from decreased fishing effort (especially in Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Southern Ocean), and greater and more effective use of technical mitigation measures, notably in demersal fisheries.  However, bycatch problems in other fisheries have also emerged.  Current concerns include those with previously unidentified bycatch problems (e.g. Spanish Gran Sol demersal fleet) and those where bycatch was identified, but where persistent data gaps prevented adequate assessments of the scale of the impact (e.g. Nordic demersal fisheries).  Future assessments will only achieve greater precision when minimum standards of data collection, reporting and analysis are implemented by longline fishing fleets and the relevant regional fishery management organizations.  Those fisheries in which bycatch has been substantially reduced demonstrate that the problem of seabird bycatch could be reduced to negligible proportions by enforced implementation of appropriate best-practice mitigation devices and techniques." **Reference:** Anderson, O.R.J., Small, C.J., Croxall, J.P., Dunn, E.K., Sullivan, B.J., Yates, O. & Black, A.  2011.  A review of global seabird bycatch in longline fisheries.  [*Endangered Species Research* 14: 91-106](http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n014p091.pdf). [Click here](http://www.int-res.com/articles/suppl/n014p091_supp.pdf) to access the paper's supplementary text and tables giving background data on seabird bycatch estimates for individual longline fleets. [Click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/281558-longline-fisheries-continue-to-drive-albatross-declines) for a press release by the RSPB on this publication and [here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/) to visit BirdLife International's Save the Albatross Campaign. With thanks to Orea Anderson for information ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_05_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 June 2011, updated 19 June 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/over-300-000-seabirds-killed-annually-by-the-worlds-longliners-endangered-species-research-publishes-a-review.md) ## Recent research publications on Cory's Shearwater: a potential ACAP candidate [Cory's Shearwater](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3926) *Calonectris diomedea*, along with several shearwaters of the genus *Puffinus*, has been identified by ACAP as a potential candidate for listing within the Albatross and Petrel Agreement ([click here](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_1-8.pdf)).  Recent scientific publications on the species are listed below. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater. Photograph by John Graham")](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3926) Bried, J., Célérier, A., Maurel, L. & Bonadonna, F. 2011.  New haematological data in Cory's Shearwater, *Calonectris diomedea* (Aves, Procellariiformes).  [*Italian Journal of Zoology*  DOI: 10.1080/11250003.2010.544408](http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a935964974). Laneri, K., Louzao, M., Martínez-Abraín, A., Arcos, J.M., Belda, E. J., Guallart, J., Sánchez, A., Giménez, M., Maestre, R. & Oro, D. 2010.  Trawling regime influences longline seabird bycatch in the Mediterranean: new insights from a small-scale fishery.  [*Marine Ecology Progress Series* 420: 241-252](http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v420/p241-252/). Louzao, M., Arcos, J.M., Guijarro, B., Valls, M. & Oro, D. 2011.  Seabird-trawling interactions: factors affecting species-specific to regional community utilisation of fisheries waste.  [*Fisheries Oceanography*  doi:10.1111/j.1365-2419.2011.00579.x](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2419.2011.00579.x/abstract). Fontaine, R., Gimenez, O. & Bried, J. 2011.  The impact of introduced predators, light-induced mortality of fledglings and poaching on the dynamics of the Cory's Shearwater (*Calonectris diomedea*) population from the Azores, northeastern subtropical Atlantic.  *Biological Conservation*  [doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.022](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.022). Mateos, M. & Arroyo, G.M. 2011.  Ocean surface winds drive local-scale movements within long-distance migrations of seabirds.  [*Marine Biology* 158: 329-339](http://www.springerlink.com/content/c345508847733237/). Navarro, J., Coll, M., Louzao, M., Palomera, I., Delgado, A. & Forero, M.G. 2011.  Comparison of ecosystem modelling and isotopic approach as ecological tools to investigate food webs in the NW Mediterranean Sea.  [*Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology*](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8F-52F7TJS-2&_user=10&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2011&_rdoc=15&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%235085%232011%23995989998%233149739%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=5085&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=20&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e84e156d2aa03d6605465e0881bf794f&searchtype=a)401: 97-104. Sanz-Aguilar, A., Tavecchia, G., Genovart, M., Igual, J.M., Oro, D., Rouan, L. & Pradel, R. 2011.** **Studying the reproductive skipping behavior in long-lived birds by adding nest inspection to individual-based data.  [*Ecological Applications* 21: 555-564](http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/09-2339.1?journalCode=ecap). Villard, P. Bonenfant, C. & Bretagnolle, V. 2011.  Effects of satellite transmitters fitted to breeding Cory's Shearwaters.  [*Journal of Wildlife Management* DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.90](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.90/abstract). [Click here ](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/spanish-research-on-calonectris-shearwaters)to access earlier publications on Cory's Shearwaters. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/recent-research-publications-on-corys-shearwater-a-potential-acap-candidate.md) ## **UPDATE** Pacific Seabird Group Conference in Hawaii in February 2012 calls for abstracts "We invite you to submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation on seabird biology, foraging ecology, energetics, physiology, population biology, systematics, genetics, conservation biology, fishery interactions, restoration ecology, or any other topic relevant to seabirds." The deadline for abstract submissions is 4 November 2011. [Click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=AbstractInformation&t=Abstract Information&s=) for more information. ******************************************* The [Pacific Seabird Group](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/) will hold its 38th Annual Meeting at the [Makaha Resort and Golf Course](http://www.makaharesort.com/) on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, USA from 7-10 February 2012.  A [web site](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=meeting&t=Annual Meeting&s=1) has now been set up for the conference which gives details of planned field trips associated with the meeting. Two post-conference [field trips](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/index.php?f=FieldTrips&t=FieldTrips&s=1) will visit albatross breeding colonies.  On [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/) Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis* breed in large numbers, along with (this year) a single pair of Short-tailed Albatrosses *P. albatrus*, shortly to fledge their chick ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/midway-atolls-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-is-doing-well-post-tsunami)). Another famous albatross on Midway is the Laysan ‘[Wisdom](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/more-good-news-wisdom-midways-60-year-old-laysan-albatross-survives-the-tsunami)', now over 60 years old and whose latest chick was banded recently.   "Refuge volunteers banded one chick- that of Wisdom, Midway's "celebrity" albatross. Wisdom wears a red color band Z333: her chick was banded with red N333".  ([click here](http://www.fws.gov/midway/whatsnew.html) for photo).  The Midway trip will last nine days. A second conference field trip will be a day excursion to the [Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve](http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/reserves/oahu/kaenapoint) on Oahu, where a newly erected predator-proof fence ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/helping-the-laysan-albatross-predator-removal-continues-inside-hawaiis-first-pest-proof-fence)) is now protecting the Laysan Albatross colony (and other seabirds) from introduced predators.  There will also be a trip to sea when albatrosses and other seabirds are expected to be seen. A call for submission of abstracts for both oral and poster sessions is to be made soon.  The Local Program Chair is Lindsay Young, who is also ACAP's North Pacific News Correspondent.  The Albatross and Petrel Agreement will also be represented at the PSG Conference by its Information Officer. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_wisdom_john_klavitter.jpg "Wisdom, the elderly Laysan Albatross with her then small chick on Midway. Photograph by John Klavitter") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, updated 23 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/opportunities-to-see-albatrosses-at-the-pacific-seabird-group-conference-in-hawaii-in-february-2012.md) ## Another step reached towards ridding Gough Island of its killer mice and saving the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross It is now surely well-known that the introduced House Mice of Gough Island in the South Atlantic are wreaking havoc amongst its birds up to the size of the near-endemic and [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org./datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena*, whose chicks are literally eaten alive by the mice every year. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_chick_by_Ross_Wanless.jpg "The now-famous picture of a Tristan Albatross chick being attacked by mice at night on Gough, taken by Ross Wanless") Following a 2006 review of the impacts of introduced rodents on Tristan da Cunha and Gough (a United Kingdom Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic) a feasibility study was undertaken by John Parkes of New Zealand and published on-line by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ([RSPB](http://www.rspb.org.uk/)) in 2008.  The study recommended what research still needed to be undertaken before an eradication effort should be attempted.  Over the last three years researchers on the island have been conducting this work.  Activities have included investigating whether mice living in caves and lava tunnels would be exposed to poison bait dropped by helicopter (the answer seems to be yes), and how best to protect sufficient numbers of the two endemic land birds (a bunting and a moorhen) from the risks of both primary and secondary non-target poisoning. Last year two island eradication experts from New Zealand, Chris Golding and Nick Torr, visited the island during the relief of the [South African weather station](http://www.sanap.org.za/sanap_gough/sanap_gough.html) to obtain the necessary on-site experience to write a preliminary operational plan for mouse eradication. This document has now been made available on line.  It sets out in detail a work plan and a timeframe for what the plan considers will be an "extremely challenging" operation.  However, the current efforts to rid Australia's larger Macquarie Island of mice (and of rats and rabbits) ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/macquarie-island-alien-mammal-eradication-programme-going-well-nearly-two-thirds-of-the-island-baited)) should help with a Gough eradication through the experience gained. This year the RSPB is intending to rid Henderson Island, part of another United Kingdom Overseas Territory (Pitcairn) of its rats ([click here](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/241934-henderson-island-restoration-project)for project details and newsletters). Research on the seabirds and mice on Gough is supported financially by the UK's Overseas Territories Environment Programme ([OTEP](http://www.ukotcf.org/otep/)) and the [Darwin Initiative](http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/) and logistically by the [South African Department of Environmental Affairs](http://www.environment.gov.za/).  Ornithological research on Gough Island is conducted with the approval of the [Tristan Conservation Department](http://www.tristandc.com/).  In previous years research on ACAP-listed species on Gough has also been supported financially by the Albatross and Petrel Agreement, [Birds Australia](http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/), the [International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators ](http://iaato.org/)and the [Royal Naval Bird Watching Society](http://www.rnbws.org.uk/). With thanks to Richard Cuthbert for information. **References:** Angel, A. & Cooper, J. 2006.  A review of the impacts of introduced rodents on the islands of Tristan da Cunha and Gough.  [*RSPB Research Report* No. 17](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/ReviewofImpacts_tcm9-181568.pdf).  58 pp. Parkes, J. 2008.  A feasibility study for the eradication of House Mice from Gough Island.  [*RSPB Research Report* No. 34](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/goughisland_tcm9-220539.pdf).  51 pp. Torr, N., Golding, C. & Cuthbert, R.[J.] 2010.  *[Preliminary operational plan for eradicating House Mice from Gough Island](http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Gough_Island_Draft_Operational_Plan_Version_small_tcm9-280664.pdf). Version 1.0*.  Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  73 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/another-step-reached-towards-ridding-gough-island-of-its-killer-mice-and-saving-the-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross.md) ## Taiwanese longliners in the North Pacific estimated to kill 1120-4290 albatrosses each year H.-W. Huang and Y.-M. Yeh of the Institute of Marine Affairs and Resources Management, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan and Graduate Institute of Environmental Management, Nanhua University, Chiayi, Taiwan have published on-line in the journal *Animal Conservation* on estimates of the numbers of seabirds killed in Taiwanese longliners in the North Pacific.  Both Black-footed *Phoebastria nigripes* and Laysan *P. immutabilis* Albatrosses were killed. The paper's abstract follows: "Seabird bycatch by the longline fisheries of the Pacific Ocean is a major conservation concern.  However, relatively few studies have examined the impacts of distant water longline fishing on the high seas due to the difficulty associated with deploying observers.  Our study addresses this data gap by analyzing data from 2666 Taiwanese scientific observation data sets from 2002 to 2007 to calculate the seabird bycatch rate and to estimate the mortality of seabirds as a result of fishing activities by the entire fleet.  A total of 379 seabirds were caught and 88% were albatross.  A negative binomial distribution was used to represent the observed data based on spatial and temporal stratification, which yielded bycatch rates that ranged from 0.0003 to 0.2213 birds per 1000 hooks.  The bycatch rates were highest in the areas between 25-45°N and 165°E-160°W between October and March and the areas between 25-35°S and 170°E-165°W between April and September.  Using the observed data for bycatch rates and total fishing effort, the estimated number of seabird deaths caused by the Taiwanese fleet ranged from 1120 to 4290 birds annually.  Increasing the observer coverage of specific fleets and areas, prioritizing observer programs and combined with international cooperation in research, would improve bycatch calculations.  Seabird conservation efforts can be improved by monitoring fishing effort and the mandatory implementation of multiple mitigation measures. **Reference:** Huang, H.W.  & Yeh, Y.-M. 2011.  Impact of Taiwanese distant water longline fisheries on the Pacific seabirds: finding hotspots on the high seas.  [*Animal Conservation*  DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00462.x](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00462.x/full). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan_&_Black-footed_Albatrosses.jpg "Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses together at sea.") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/taiwanese-longliners-in-the-north-pacific-estimated-to-kill-1120-2490-albatrosses-each-year.md) ## How do they overlap? Integrating GPS tracking data from White-capped Albatrosses with fishing vessels Leigh Torres of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research ([NIWA](http://www.niwa.co.nz/)) in New Zealand and colleagues have studied the degree of overlap between individual albatrosses and fishing vessels using GPS trackers, publishing their findings last month in the journal *[Marine Ecology Progress Series](http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/)*. The paper's abstract follows: "Incidental bycatch of seabirds in commercial fishing activities is known to cause declines in seabird populations.  However, the full impacts on the ecology of seabirds, including effects on seabird distribution and behavior, through the association with fisheries are not fully understood.  We developed a novel method to integrate fine-scale GPS tracking data from the foraging trips of 25 white-capped albatross *Thalassarche steadi*within sub-Antarctic New Zealand with fishing effort distribution data to (1) quantify fine-scale overlap between individual albatrosses and individual vessels and (2) characterize behavioral changes in albatrosses when they are associated with fishing vessels.  Overlap between vessels and albatrosses occurred in 68% of tracks.  However, albatrosses demonstrated high variability in foraging trip destinations and association rates with fishing activity, both between and within individuals.  Eight tracks never overlapped a fishing vessel.  Of the 17 tracks that did overlap, a range of 2 to 73% of foraging effort on each trip occurred while overlapping a fishing vessel.  Albatross foraging behavior was characterized by a significantly slower and straighter path when overlapping vessels.  This study highlights the utility of GPS tags to examine the fine-scale distribution of seabirds in relation to fishing activity, revealing how effects of fisheries on marine megafauna may extend beyond mortality and injury as well as population numbers.  However, results are currently constrained, not only by limited tracking data sets, but also by the quality (spatio-temporal resolution) and availability of fishing effort data.  Critical conservation issues related to the effects of fisheries on threatened marine megafauna cannot be fully addressed without comparative data sets with resolution equal to GPS tags." **Reference:** Torres, L.G., Thompson, D.R., Bearhop, S., Votier, S., Taylor, G.A., Sagar, P.M. & Robertson, B.C. 2011.  White-capped albatrosses alter fine-scale foraging behavior patterns when associated with fishing vessels.  [*Marine Ecology Progress Series* 428: 289-301](http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v428/p289-301/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/White_capped/White-capped Albatross nest byDavid Thompson.jpg "White-capped Albatross. Photograph by David Thompson") **For the use of a similar technique see also:** Votier, S.C., Bearhop, S., Witt, M.J., Inger, R., Thompson, D.R. & Newton, J. 2010.  Individual responses of seabirds to commercial fisheries revealed using GPS tracking, stable isotopes and vessel monitoring systems.  [*Journal of Applied Ecology* 47: 487-497](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01790.x/abstract). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/how-do-they-overlap-integrating-gps-tracking-data-from-white-capped-albatrosses-with-fishing-vessels.md) ## What's that smell? Wandering Albatrosses use olfactory cues when foraging Jerome Mardon ([Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Montpellier](http://www.cefe.cnrs.fr/), France) and colleagues have studied the olfactory abilities of Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* at their breeding grounds, publishing their findings in the [*Journal of Experimental Biology*](http://jeb.biologists.org/)last year. The paper's summary follows: "Wandering albatrosses routinely forage over thousands of kilometres of open ocean, but the sensory mechanisms used in the food search itself have not been completely elucidated.  Recent telemetry studies show that some spatial behaviours of the species are consistent with the ‘multimodal foraging strategy' hypothesis which proposes that birds use a combination of olfactory and visual cues while foraging at sea.  The ‘multimodal foraging strategy' hypothesis, however, still suffers from a lack of experimental evidence, particularly regarding the olfactory capabilities of wandering albatrosses.  As an initial step to test the hypothesis, we carried out behavioural experiments exploring the sensory capabilities of adult wandering albatrosses at a breeding colony.  Three two-choice tests were designed to investigate the birds' response to olfactory and visual stimuli, individually or in combination.  Perception of the different stimuli was assessed by comparing the amount of exploration directed towards an ‘experimental' display or a ‘control' display.  Our results indicate that birds were able to perceive the three types of stimulus presented: olfactory, visual and combined.  Moreover, olfactory and visual cues were found to have additional effects on the exploratory behaviours of males.  This simple experimental demonstration of reasonable olfactory capabilities in the wandering albatross supports the ‘multimodal foraging strategy' and is consistent with recent hypotheses of the evolutionary history of procellariiforms." **Reference:** Mardon,[http://jeb.biologists.org/content/213/4/558.short#corresp-1](http://jeb.biologists.org/content/213/4/558.short#corresp-1) J., Nesterova, A.P., Traugott, J.,  Saunders, S.M. & Bonadonna, F. 2010.  Insight of scent: experimental evidence of olfactory capabilities in the wandering albatross (*Diomedea exulans*).  [*Journal of Experimental Biology* 213: 558-563](http://jeb.biologists.org/content/213/4/558.short). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Wandering Albatross and chick at Marion Island. Photograph by John Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/whats-that-smell-wandering-albatrosses-use-olfactory-cues-when-foraging.md) ## I Can't Fly: an animated ebook on the plight of the albatross published for children Section 6 of the Action Plan of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels covers the subject of education and public awareness.  Subsection 6.2 calls for Parties to "seek to make local communities and the public in general more aware of the status of albatrosses and petrels and the threats facing them". A very important part of raising public awareness is to educate the young.  One way that the conservation message can be put across is by the way of children's books.  However, whereas there is a plethora of children's books on penguins, there seems to be not very many on albatrosses and especially on petrels, including those species listed within ACAP.  So far only 13 titles have been listed on this web site ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/publications-acap-species/childrens-books-on-albatrosses-and-petrels)). A publication out last month for children breaks new ground.  *I Can't Fly* is an interactive, animated ebook about a fledgling albatross called Vernon on his quest to fly. "Practice, encouragement and ultimately love, spur him on, but does he succeed to overcome his fear?"  The book is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. *I Can't Fly*, illustrated by Bill Bolton and written by Mark Shaw, aims to highlight the plight of the world's albatrosses and help support BirdLife's Global Seabird Programme. Says the illustrator: "Whilst visiting the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand I was privileged enough to witness an albatross colony.  I was inspired by the majesty and beauty of these birds as they soared above us.  What really struck me was their size and effortless flight - their wings were so large that you could actually hear the wind in their feathers as they approached!  It's a memory that I will never forget.  I hope that this will nurture a greater appreciation of this unique bird, especially amongst children.  Ten per cent of profits from the sale of the book will go to the Save the Albatross fund." [Click here](http://itunes.apple.com/app/i-cant-fly/id435700719?mt=8) to read more details about *I Can't Fly*, and [here](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/06/new-childrens-book-raises-profile-of-albatross/) for a review. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/N/Northern_Royal/Northern_Royal_Albatross_500th_chick_by_Lyndon_Perriman.jpg "Northern Royal Albatross breeding on the Otago Peninsula. Photograph by Lyndon Perriman ") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/i-cant-fly-an-animated-ebook-on-the-plight-of-the-albatross-published-for-children.md) ## Identifying cold homes for Southern Giant Petrels: Important Bird Areas of the Antarctic Peninsula report released Colin Harris and colleagues of [Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd](http://www.era.gs/index.shtml) have published on-line this month a detailed report that lists and describes 101 Important Bird Areas ([IBAs](http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sites/index.html)) in the Antarctic Peninsula region. A number of these IBAs support breeding colonies of Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus*, the only ACAP-listed species that breeds within the Antarctic Treaty Area, and thus falling outside national jurisdictions. Each chosen site is described in the report with a map, a site description and information on its bird populations and conservation issues. Here is an extract from one of these IBA accounts: "Ant021: Cierva Point and offshore islands.  In the late 1980s, 135 breeding pairs of Southern Giant Petrel (*Macronectes giganteus*) were recorded in the area, nesting on both Moss and Sterneck islands".  Cierva Point and offshore islands on the Danco Coast are also an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA No. 134). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/management-plans/mgmt-plans-sgp) for a listing of protected sites in Antarctica that support breeding Southern Giant Petrels. The project was supported by BirdLife International and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and followed on from an original initiative of the then Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Bird Biology Subcommittee.  **Reference:** Harris, C.M., Carr, R., Lorenz, K. & Jones, S. 2011.  *[Important Bird Areas in Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands - Final Report](http://www.era.gs/resources/iba/IBA%20Antarctic%20Peninsula%20Final%20Report%2002June2011.pdf)*.  Cambridge:  Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd.  225 pp. With thanks to Colin Harris and Richard Phillips for information and Markus Ritz for the use of his photograph. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/southern_giant_petrel_king_george_island_markus_ritz.jpg "White-phase Southern Giant Petrel breeding on King George Island. Photograph by Markus Ritz") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 June 2011, updated 21 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/identifying-cold-homes-for-southern-giant-petrels-important-bird-areas-of-the-antarctic-peninsula-report-released.md) ## Reducing pelagic longline bycatch of seabirds. A review from Taiwan Hsiang-Wen Huang of the [Institute of Marine Affairs and Resources Management, National Taiwan Ocean University](http://imarm.ntou.edu.tw/~imarm/page/english/e_page.htm) writing in the journal *[Marine Policy](http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/30453/description#description)* reviews Taiwan's activities relating to bycatch of seabirds (and sharks, turtles and cetaceans) by its longline fisheries. The paper's abstract follows: "Taiwan is a major longline fishing nation with an interest in proactive conservation measures.  Facing global concerns about the incidental catch in longline fisheries, Taiwan has focused on bycatch issues since the 2000s.  This paper reviews the existing information on bycatch and the actions taken by Taiwan in the past ten years, including the establishment of observer programs, education and outreach, adoption of national plans of action and publicizing regulations for mitigation measures.  This review suggests that continuing and improving the observer program, ensuring the compliance of mitigation measures, and encouraging information exchange and international cooperation will contribute to the conservation of non-commercial species of concern." **Reference:** Huang, H.-W. 2011.  Bycatch of high sea longline fisheries and measures taken by Taiwan: actions and challenges.  [*Marine Policy*](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X11000480)[35: 712-720](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X11000480). **See also:** Huang, H.-W. & Liu[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783610001827#implicit0](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783610001827#implicit0), K.-M. 2010.  Bycatch and discards by Taiwanese large-scale tuna longline fleets in the Indian Ocean.  [*Fisheries Research* 106: 261-270](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783610001827). Huang, H.W.  & Yeh, Y.-M. 2011.  Impact of Taiwanese distant water longline fisheries on the Pacific seabirds: finding hotspots on the high seas.  [*Animal Conservation*  DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00462.x](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00462.x/full). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_10_Fig1.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/reducing-pelagic-longline-bycatch-of-seabirds-a-review-from-taiwan.md) ## Fly and dive, fly and dive: tracking Flesh-footed Shearwaters across the Pacific Ocean Matt Rayner of New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research ([NIWA](http://www.niwa.co.nz/)) and colleagues writing in the *[Journal of Avian Biology](http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0908-8857)* have tracked Flesh-footed Shearwaters *Puffinus carneipes*, a potential species for ACAP listing, across the Pacific. The paper's abstract follows: "The flesh-footed shearwater *Puffinus carneipes* is a medium-sized shearwater and transequatorial migrant within the Pacific Ocean.  We used archival data loggers to study the non-breeding migration and diving behaviour of three fleshfooted shearwaters following breeding in New Zealand.  In early April, the birds migrated to the western North Pacific Ocean in 23±2 days, occupying core distributions within the Kuroshio/Oyashio transition system for 91±17 days.  Subsequent movements were made into the Sea of Okhotsk prior to return migrations to New Zealand in mid September (19±1 days).  Diving depths during migration (2.5±2.4 m), and in the western North Pacific (2.4±2.6 m) were shallower than during the onset of breeding (4.8±8.7 m).  Non-breeding flesh-footed shearwaters occupy a region of high fisheries activity and the impact of these fisheries on adult survival in this declining species warrant further study." **Reference:** Rayner, M.J., Taylor, G.A., Thompson, D.R., Torres, L.G., Sagar, P.M. & Shaffer, S.A.  2011.  Migration and diving activity in three non-breeding flesh-footed shearwaters *Puffinus carneipes*.  *Journal of Avian Biology* 42: 266-270. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer. 19 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/fly-and-dive-fly-and-dive-tracking-flesh-footed-shearwaters-across-the-pacific-ocean.md) ## What do you mean I can only breed successfully every two years? A few Wandering Albatrosses are not obligate biennial breeders Christophe Barbraud and Henri Weimerskirch of the Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé ([CEBC](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/)**)** in France writing in the *[Journal of Ornithology](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336)* have looked at survival and breeding interval in the normally biennial-breeding Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans*. The paper's abstract follows: "Estimating the effects of environmental factors on the population dynamics of albatrosses is necessary for their conservation.  This requires estimation of demographic parameters, long-time series of capture-recapture data, and knowledge of their at-sea distribution.  For biennial albatrosses, multistate mark-recapture models (MSMR) considering individuals during their sabbatical year as unobservable could provide reliable estimates.  However, this requires that state assignment is determined with certainty which may not be the case in historical data. We applied multievent mark-recapture models (MEMR) to data on adult Wandering Albatross (*Diomedea exulans*) at Possession Island collected between 1966 and 2006.  The models accounted for state uncertainty for those breeding states where the breeding outcome was uncertain.  Survival estimates obtained from models not accounting for temporary emigration were higher than those obtained from models accounting for temporary emigration.  For males and females, survival estimates from the MEMR models were higher than those from CJS and MSMR models.  Annual survival probability was 0.924 (SE = 0.034) for breeding females, 0.971 (SE = 0.038) for non-breeding females, 0.954 (SE = 0.018) for breeding males, and 0.938 (SE = 0.017) for non-breeding males.  Whereas Wandering Albatrosses are generally considered as obligate biennial breeders, we found that the probability that successful breeders attempted to breed in a subsequent year was 0.069 for females and 0.048 for males, although their probability of success was 44-62% lower than that of individuals that skipped breeding." **Reference:** Barbraud, C. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011.  Estimating survival and reproduction in a quasi-biennially breeding seabird with uncertain and unobservable states.  [*Journal of Ornithology*  DOI: 10.1007/s10336-011-0686-1](http://www.springerlink.com/content/x13518225831qt00/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatrosses_marion_island_by_john_cooper.jpg "Wandering Albatross and chick. Photograph by John Cooper") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/what-do-you-mean-i-can-only-breed-successfully-every-two-years-a-few-wandering-albatrosses-are-not-obligate-biennial-breeders.md) ## UPDATED 26 June: World Heritage Convention inscribes Japan's Ogasawara Islands, good news for Short-tailed Albatrosses On Friday 24 June the [World Heritage Committee](http://whc.unesco.org/en/)  meeting in its 35th Session in Paris, France inscribed the Ogasawara Islands, Japanese islands situated some 1000 km south of the country's main archipelago, on UNESCO's World Heritage List for the wealth of their ecosystems which reflect a wide range of evolutionary processes. The property numbers more than 30 islands clustered in three groups and covers a surface area of 7393 ha. The islands offer a variety of landscapes and are home to a wealth of fauna, including the Bonin Flying Fox *Pteropus pselaphon*, a Critically Endangered bat and 195 endangered bird species. Four-hundred and forty-one native plant taxa have been documented on the islands whose waters support numerous species of fish, cetaceans and corals. The Ogasawara Islands' ecosystems reflect a range of evolutionary processes illustrated through its assemblage of plant species from both south-east and north-west Asia, alongside many endemic species, as well as the translocation colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses *Diomedea albatrus* on Mukojima Island.  News from [http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/766](http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/766). See also: [http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201106250159.html](http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201106250159.html) and [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110625002772.htm](http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110625002772.htm). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_dance2_noboru_chikira.jpg "Translocated Short-tailed Albatrosses display on Mukojima Island. Photograph by Noboru Chikira ")  *************** This and next week the [35th Session](http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/35COM/) of the Committee of the World Heritage Convention ([WHC](http://whc.unesco.org/en/)) is being held in Paris, France.  Among the new Natural Sites that will be considered for inscription are Japan's [Ogasawara Islands](http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5095).  The Ogasawara Islands consist of a chain of about 30 islands stretching over some 400 km.  The World Conservation Union ([IUCN](http://www.iucn.org/)) acts as an advisory body on natural sites and will present its expert recommendations on the island group to the Committee ([click here](http://www.iucn.org/what/tpas/biodiversity/?7685/Keep-World-Heritage-standards-high)). The Ogasawaras include Mukojima Island where efforts are being made to establish a new breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* by translocating and hand-rearing to fledging chicks taken each year from Torishima ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/most-recent-cohort-of-translocated-short-tailed-albatrosses-on-japans-mukojima-island-start-to-fledge)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short-tailed_Albatross_Chick_translocated.jpg "Short-tailed Albatross chicks translocated to Mukojima. Photograph from Tomohiro Deguchi") "The IUCN investigation found the Ogasawaras to be a kind of "Galapagos of the Orient" with high value points for evolution of endemic species.  Endemics included 36% among plants, 27% among insects, and 94% of terrestrial snails.  Those species that were also found in other locations showed abundance of genetic diversity influenced by the peculiar local environment of the Ogasawaras.  Another subject addressed was counter-measures against ecological degradation caused by introduced species.  While praising results of strong cooperation among government, the resident population and scientists, IUCN said that in the future intensified efforts against introduced species would be required.  They urged studies for expanding actions against adverse influence on the marine environment due to increased tourism."  [translated from the *Mainichi Shinbun* of 7 May 2011]. If inscribed as a natural site Mukojima Island will join several other albatross breeding sites in the North Pacific that are included within the USA's [Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument](http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html) which was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a mixed natural and cultural site last year.  This huge marine reserve includes [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/), home for many thousands of breeding Laysan *P. immutabilis* and Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatrosses (and currently also one breeding pair of Short-tailed Albatrosses - [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/midway-atolls-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-is-doing-well-post-tsunami)) [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/japan-nominates-the-ogasawara-islands-to-the-world-heritage-convention) to access Japan's nomination text for the Ogaswara Islands to the World Heritage Convention and also to access management and conservation plans for the island group. At its 2011 meeting the World Heritage Committee inscribed a total of 25 sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List, including three natural properties, 21 cultural and one mixed site. Two properties were added to the World Heritage List in Danger and one was removed from that list. The World Heritage List now numbers 936 properties: 183 natural sites; 725 cultural; and 28 mixed ([click here](http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/776)). With thanks to Kiyoaki Ozaki, Division of Avian Conservation (Bird Migration Research Center), [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/index.html), Japan for information and to Chuck Pell for the translation. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 June 2011, updated 01 July 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/world-heritage-convention-set-to-help-conserve-short-tailed-albatrosses-on-japans-ogasawara-islands.md) ## Helping save albatrosses and petrels through Marine Stewardship Council certification of Southern Ocean toothfish fisheries The [Macquarie Island toothfish fishery](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/in-assessment/pacific/macquarie_island_toothfish), operated by Austral Fisheries and Australian Longline, has entered full assessment for certification with the Marine Stewardship Council ([MSC](http://www.msc.org)).  The fishery comprises up to three vessels responsible for a total annual catch of more than 500 metric tonnes of Patagonian Toothfish *Dissostichus eleginoides*using longline and trawl methods. The assessment will consider the sustainability of the fish stock, the environmental impact of the fishing activities and existing management and governance systems.  The assessment process is expected to take 12 months and is scheduled for completion around May 2012. Management measures being placed on the fishery include limiting the number of vessels allowed to operate, setting target and bycatch limits, and imposing seasonal closures and stringent **seabird mitigation requirements** to reduce the mortality of albatrosses and petrels. If successful in gaining certification, the fishery will be able to use the MSC ecolabel on its products to help meet the growing demand for sustainably-sourced seafood products worldwide. The fishery is managed by measures compatible with the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources ([CCAMLR](http://www.ccamlr.org)).  Main responsibility for management of the fishery lies with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority ([AFMA](http://www.afma.gov.au/)) which receives advice from the Australian Antarctic Division ([AAD](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/)) and the Commonwealth Scientific, Industry and Research Organisation of Australia ([CSIRO](http://www.csiro.au/)). [Click here](http://www.msc.org/newsroom/news/third-fishery-for-austral-fisheries-and-australian-longline-enters-full-assessment-against-the-msc-standard?fromsearch=1&isnewssearch=1&b_start:int=20) for more information on the fishery assessment.  See also [http://www.afma.gov.au/resource-centre/publications-and-forms/afma-update/longlining-tac-set-for-macquarie-island-toothfish-fishery/](http://www.afma.gov.au/resource-centre/publications-and-forms/afma-update/longlining-tac-set-for-macquarie-island-toothfish-fishery/). The Australian Heard Island and McDonald Islands ([HIMI](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/in-assessment/southern-ocean/himi-toothfish)) Patagonian Toothfish fishery is currently undergoing assessment with the MSC, [http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/in-assessment/southern-ocean/himi-toothfish?searchterm=Heard+Island](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/in-assessment/southern-ocean/himi-toothfish?searchterm=Heard+Island)as is the French fishery for toothfish operated by the Syndicat des Armements Réunionnais de Palangriers Congélateurs ([SARPC](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/in-assessment/southern-ocean/SARPC-toothfish))in the EEZs around the island groups of Kerguelen and Crozet in the southern Indian Ocean. Two further longline fisheries in the Southern Ocean have already achieved MSC certification. They are for [Ross Sea Antarctic Toothfish](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/certified/southern-ocean/ross-sea-toothfish-longline)*Dissostichus mawsoni* in 2010,and [South Georgia* Patagonian Toothfish](http://www.msc.org/track-a-fishery/certified/south-atlantic-indian-ocean/south-georgia-patagonian-toothfish-longline) in 2004, with recertification following in 2009. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_04_Fig2.jpg) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 June 2010* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/helping-save-albatrosses-and-petrels-through-marine-stewardship-council-certification-of-southern-ocean-toothfish-fisheries.md) ## UPDATED Not junk food for dinner again! Short-tailed Shearwater fledglings get fed plastic particles by their parents Mark Carey of the [Department of Environmental Management and Ecology](http://www.latrobe.edu.au/deme/index.html), La Trobe University, Wodonga, Australia has studied the levels of ingested plastic in fledgling Short-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus tenuirostris*, a potential candidate species for listing within ACAP.  His findings have been published in the journal *[Emu Austral Ecology](http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/96/aid/2409.htm)*. The paper's abstract follows: "Pollution of the world's oceans affects a wide variety of marine organisms and thus raises major concerns regarding conservation.  Ingestion of plastic debris has increased since the 1970s, particularly among the Procellariiformes, resulting in a range of lethal and sub-lethal side effects.  Plastic loads of adult Short-tailed Shearwaters (*Ardenna tenuirostris*) are well known from research in the northern hemisphere, but the amount in offspring has yet to be quantified.  In this study, the stomach contents of fledgling Short-tailed Shearwaters on Phillip Island, Victoria, were analysed for plastic particles.  All birds sampled contained plastic material, averaging 7.6 particles per bird.  The mean mass of plastic per bird was 113 mg.  The most common type of plastic found was user plastic, followed by industrial pellets.  The birds contained a small proportion of other refuse such as polystyrene and plastic bag.  Plastics were primarily light in colour, though red and grey-black materials were also recorded.  Despite a weak trend, no clear influence of ingested plastic on body condition could be demonstrated, although there was some evidence of physical damage to the gizzard.  Accumulation of plastic objects in the digestive tract over time may indirectly affect the life cycle of species and their reproductive success, with long-term harm caused to populations.  Data suggest that the impact of this type of pollution on seabird welfare is urgently required." **Reference:** Carey, M.J. 2011.  Intergenerational transfer of plastic debris by Short-tailed Shearwaters (*Ardenna tenuirostris*).  [*Emu*](http://www.publish.csiro.au/view/journals/dsp_journals_pip_abstract.cfm?nid=96&ver=2&pip=MU10085) 111: 229-234*.* ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Short_tailed/short_tailed_shearwater_mark_carey.jpg "Short-tailed Shearwater. Photograph by Mark Carey") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 June 2011, updated 24 August 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/not-junk-food-for-dinner-again-short-tailed-shearwater-fledglings-get-fed-plastic-particles-by-their-parents.md) ## Upper or lower beaks? Biases in studying the squid diet of the Wandering Albatross [Javier Xavier](http://www1.ci.uc.pt/imar/unit/people/cvs/cv/j_xavier.php) (Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Marine Research, University of Coimbra, Portugal) and colleagues, publishing on-line this month in the [ICES Journal of Marine Science](http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/icesjms/about.html), have studied biases that can come about in diet studies of Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* when analysing regurgitated squid beaks. The paper's abstract follows: "Cephalopods are components of the diet of many predators worldwide.  They are identified mainly using their chitinized upper and lower beaks, but because it has been assumed that the number of upper and lower beaks would be the same in predator diet samples, more effort has been put into creating keys for the lower beaks, which are more easily identifiable from morphology.  A test is made of whether the number of upper and lower beaks differs in diet samples collected from a major cephalopod predator, the wandering albatross (*Diomedea exulans*), potential biases in the estimation of predator diets are assessed, and upper:lower beak ratios in published studies of other seabirds, seals, whales, and fish from different parts of the world reviewed.  The ratio of upper to lower beaks in diet samples from wandering albatrosses varied greatly in a single year (from 69.6% more lower beaks to 59% more upper beaks), and between years (from 0.5 to 32.1% more upper beaks), and biases were greater for certain cephalopod species, resulting in underestimation of their relative importance.  Future studies need to consider using both upper and lower beaks to improve the assessment of the contribution of different cephalopods to predator diets." Xavier, J.C., Phillips, R.A. & Cherel, Y. 2011.  Cephalopods in marine predator diet assessments: why identifying upper and lower beaks is important.  [*ICES Journal of Marine Science*.  doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsr103](http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/06/17/icesjms.fsr103.abstract). [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg "Wandering Albatross at sea. Photograph by Warwick Barnes")](http://www1.ci.uc.pt/imar/unit/people/cvs/cv/j_xavier.php) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/upper-or-lower-beaks-biases-in-studying-the-squid-diet-of-the-wandering-albatross.md) ## Assessing risk to seabird populations from New Zealand commercial fisheries Yvan Richard and colleagues have produced a report which assesses which New Zealand seabirds are most at risk from commercial fisheries.  Their report is available on-line at the [New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries'](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/default.htm)web site. Extracts from the report's **Executive Summary** follow: "We examined the risk of incidental mortality from commercial fishing for 64 seabird species in New Zealand trawl and longline fisheries.  For each species, the risk was assessed by comparing the total number of birds potentially killed while fishing against the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) index.  This index represents the amount of human-induced mortality a species can sustain without compromising its persistence. "Amongst the 64 studied species, the black petrel (*Procellaria parkinsoni*) clearly stood out as the species the most at risk from commercial fishing activities within the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone.  With an average number of potential annual fishing-related fatalities estimated to be almost 10 times higher than the PBR, our study suggests that this species should become the primary subject of more detailed research and management. "Seven other species had a number of annual potential fatalities significantly exceeding the PBR, as the 95% confidence interval of their risk ratio was strictly above one: the grey-headed albatross, the Chatham albatross, the Westland petrel, the light-mantled albatross, the Salvin's albatross, the fleshfooted shearwater, and the Stewart Island shag. "Small inshore fisheries, especially trawl fisheries targeting flatfish, and small bottom and surface fisheries, appeared to be associated with the greatest level of risk to species.  This was due to a combination of low observer coverage, high effort, and overlap with the distributions of many seabird species in these fisheries.  In these poorly observed fisheries, the risk is primarily associated with the lack of information.  Of the species that had a risk ratio greater than one, the risk for four of them (grey-headed albatross, Westland petrel, Chatham albatross, and light-mantled albatross) was associated with a lack of observer coverage in inshore fisheries that overlap with the distribution of these birds." **Reference:** Richard, Y., Abraham, E.R. & Filippi, D. 2011.  *Assessment of the Risk to Seabird Populations from New Zealand Commercial Fisheries. [Final Research Report for Ministry of Fisheries Projects IPA2009/19 and IPA2009/20](http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/6A38D8A4-6AE7-473B-AC94-BE59B1B3E79C/0/FRR_Seabird_risk_assessmen_2011t.pdf)*. Wellington:  Ministry of Fisheries.  66 pp. The New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation are currently producing a new Seabird Policy ([click here](http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Environmental/Seabirds.htm)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/B/Black/Black_Petrel_by_Dept_of_Conservation_New_Zealand.jpg "Black Petrel, a New Zealand endemic at risk. Photograph by the New Zealand Department of Conservation") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/assessing-risk-to-seabird-populations-from-new-zealand-commercial-fisheries.md) ## An SOS for Critically Endangered albatrosses? Important funding opportunity announced Save Our Species (SOS) is a global coalition initiated by three founding partners (World Conservation Union - IUCN, the Global Environmental Facility and the World Bank) to build  a large species conservation fund, supporting on-the-ground field conservation projects all over the world.   SOS will combine resources and funding experience from the World Bank and GEF, the authoritative science of IUCN and the resources and ingenuity of the private sector to create a mechanism that ensures sufficient funding goes to species conservation projects where and when it will have the most impact. TheSOS Strategic Directionscurrently open for Threatened Species Grants are: Threatened amphibians,**Critically Endangered birds** and Threatened Asian and African mammals. Three ACAP-listed species, all albatrosses, are considered by IUCN and Birdlife International to be Critically Endangered ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciessearchresults.php?reg=&cty=&cri=&fam=17&gen=0&spc=&cmn=&hab=&thr=&bt=&rec=N&vag=N&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&SearchTerms=)).  They are the Amsterdam *Diomedea amsterdamensis*, the Tristan *D. dabbenena* and the Waved *Phoebastria irrorata*.  In addition a potential candidate ACAP species, the Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*, is also categorized as Critically Endangered ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026)). A call for proposals for Threatened Species Grants and for Rapid Action Grants is now open. Threatened Species Grants (US$ 25 000 to 800 000) will respond to call for proposals and specific priorities Rapid Action Grants (up to US$ 25 000) will support conservation actions in case of emergency situations. It is expected that in due course an attempt will be made to rid Gough Island of its introduced House Mice *Mus musculus*, which cause massive breeding failure in Tristan Albatrosses every year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/another-step-reached-towards-ridding-gough-island-of-its-killer-mice-and-saving-the-critically-endangered-tristan-albatross)).  Such an eradication exercise will be very expensive and special funds will have to be raised towards it.  Funding opportunities such as "Save our Species" could help. For more information on the SOS initiative, including how to apply, [click here](http://sospecies.org/about_us/what_is_sospecies/).  The deadline for applications is 12 August 2011. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_wounded_Rob_Ronconi_by_Peter_Ryan.jpg "Critically Endangered Tristan Allbatross chick dying from mouse attacks. Photograph by Peter Ryan") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 June 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/an-sos-for-critically-endangered-albatrosses-important-funding-opportunity-announced.md) ## Happy New Year! Southern Giant Petrels on Gough not affected by introduced House Mice It must now be well known that the Tristan Albatrosses *Diomedea dabbenena* and several other seabird species that breed on Gough Island are deleteriously affected by attacks on their chicks by the introduced House Mouse *Mus musculus*.  For news of how badly the Tristan Albatrosses fared in 2010 [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-qkiller-miceq-strike-again-tristan-albatrosses-on-gough-have-yet-another-very-poor-breeding-year). However, one ACAP-listed Gough seabird that hitherto has not been adequately checked for signs of attacks by mice is the Southern Giant Petrel *Macronectes giganteus*.  The species breeds at some distance from the South African meteorological station so its colonies have been rarely visited. This summer a demographic study on the nearest (and largest) giant petrel colony has commenced ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/demographic-study-of-southern-giant-petrel-commences-on-gough-island)).  The latest visit to the colony below Low Hump over 22-23 December to band the half-downy chicks showed no signs of the characteristic attacks caused by mice on albatrosses - mainly open wounds on the rump, back and head, and no skeletonised corpses at the nests. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_chick_on_nest_Gough_Michelle_Steenkamp.JPG "Southern Giant Petrel chick on Gough Island. Photograph by Michelle Steenkamp") A total of 164 eggs was laid in the study colony, and 118 healthy chicks were present last month.  All or nearly all of these are expected to fledge in due course, resulting in a breeding success of 72%.  This figure compares favourably with an average breeding success of only 31% (range 17-63%) in study colonies at Marion Island in the southern Indian Ocean over the period 1983-1995 (Cooper *et al*. 2001).  Hatching success on Gough this summer is calculated as 79%, also much higher than the Marion average of 43%. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/Southern_Giant_Petrel_chick_Gough_Michelle_Steenkamp.JPG "Banding a Southern Giant Petrel chick in the Gough study colony. Photograph by Michelle Steenkamp") The study has been funded by a Captain Simpson Scholarship by the Royal Naval Birdwatching Society.  The support of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the South African National Antarctic Programme and the Tristan Conservation Department is gratefully acknowledged.  Thanks to Ross Cowlin and Michelle Steenkamp for information. **Reference:** Cooper, J., Brooke, M.deL., Burger, A.E., Crawford, R.J.M., Hunter, S. & Williams, A.J. 2001.  Aspects of the breeding biology of the Northern Giant Petrel (*Macronectes halli*) and the Southern Giant Petrel *M. giganteus*) at sub-Antarctic Marion Island.  *International Journal of Ornithology*4: 53-68. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/happy-new-year-southern-giant-petrels-on-gough-not-affected-by-introduced-house-mice.md) ## Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project: only a week left to comment on the proposal for 2011 Following the unsuccessful bait-dropping exercise last year the [Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=1) intends to try again this year, starting in April, to eradicate the introduced European Rabbits, Black Rats and House Mice on Australia's sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The proposal has been determined to be a ‘controlled action' under Australia's *Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999* ([EPBC Act](http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/index.html)).  The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has advised that the project requires assessment based on preliminary documentation. [Click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=20979) to access the full suite of available documents, including those dealing with [proposals](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=20986) to reduce non-target mortality of seabirds, especially of the ACAP-listed Northern Giant Petrel *Macronectes halli*, killed in numbers in 2010 ([click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=20987)). Interested persons and organisations are invited to comment in writing on the proposal to: P.O. Box 126, Moonah, Tasmania 7009, Australia or to: [mieradication@parks.tas.gov.au](mailto:mieradication@parks.tas.gov.au%20%20?subject=) The deadline for submissions is 10 January 2011. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/N/Northern_Giant/Northern_Giant_Petrel_by_Marienne_de_Villiers.jpg "Northern Giant Petrel. Photograph by Marienne de Villiers") For earlier ACAP news items on the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Plan [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/male-northern-giant-petrels-are-at-risk-from-secondary-poisoning-on-macquarie-island). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 January 2010* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/macquarie-island-pest-eradication-project-only-a-week-left-to-comment-on-the-proposal-for-2011.md) ## Wandering Albatrosses can help decide where to place Marine Protected Areas UPDATED Maite Louzao of the [Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr), France and colleagues, in a paper  published this year in the *[Journal of Applied Ecology](http://www.journalofappliedecology.org/view/0/index.html)*,have utilized at-sea tracking data for Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* to identify "pelagic hotspots" that can be used to help identify marine areas for protection. The paper's summary follows: "1. Currently pelagic ecosystems are changing significantly due to multiple threats.  An important management policy is to establish marine protected areas, until now overlooked due to the difficulty of declaring ‘high seas' protected areas, obtaining long-term distribution data on indicator species and the dynamic nature of these ecosystems. 2. Within this framework, we developed predictive habitat suitability models of an oceanic predator, the vulnerable wandering albatross *Diomedea exulans*, in the highly dynamic Southern Ocean.  Based on a long-term tracking database (1998-2008), we estimated three quantitative ecological indices that complementarily describe the hierarchical habitat use of the species at multiple spatial scales: where the species (i) spent more time (the seascape, based on the time spent per area), (ii) searched for prey (the foraging habitat, based on zones of increased foraging intensity using first passage time), and (iii) fed (the feeding habitat, based on prey capture data). 3. Predictive habitat models reasonably matched the observed distribution patterns and described albatross multi-scale habitat use as a hierarchical arrangement: albatrosses foraged over topographic features in subtropical waters, nested within the wider seascape due to the constraint imposed by the colony effect, whereas feeding occurred nested over the continental shelf and seamounts in areas of low oceanographic variability within the Polar Frontal Zone. 4. Within the current oceanographic conditions, the location of key pelagic habitats for albatrosses breeding in the southern Indian Ocean encompassed certain topographic features such as pelagic areas surrounding main breeding sites, seamounts and submarine mountain ranges.  The placement of these pelagic hotspots depends on the current sea surface temperature conditions. 5. Synthesis and applications.  The present study provides two key conservation and management tools.  First, we provide the first map to support the development of a prospective network of priority conservation zones across the southern Indian Ocean based on habitat predictions of an oceanic indicator species.  This could be used not only to support conservation of top predators but also the underlying biodiversity associated with pelagic key habitats.  Secondly, the developed habitat modelling procedure is widely applicable and could be used to track changes in species distribution in both marine and terrestrial environments within the current global change scenario." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg "A Wanderer at sea. Photograph by Warwick Barnes") **Reference:** Louzao, M., Pinaud, D., Péron, C., Delord, K. Wiegand, T. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011.  Conserving pelagic habitats: seascape modelling of an oceanic top predator.  [*Journal of Applied Ecology* 48: 121-132](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/publipdf/2011/LJAE48_2011.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 January 2011, updated 6 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/wandering-albatrosses-can-help-decide-where-to-place-marine-protected-areas.md) ## Helping Southern Giant Petrels on the Continent: two Antarctic management plans revised Southern Giant Petrels *Macronectes giganteus* are the only ACAP-listed species that breed on the Antarctic Continent, where their colonies fall within the protection of the [Antarctic Treaty System](http://www.ats.aq/index_e.htm). Last year's Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting ([ATCM XXXIII](http://www.ats.aq/devAS/ats_meetings_meeting.aspx?lang=e)) held in Uruguay approved revised management plans for one Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) and one Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) where Southern Giant Petrels breed. These are: [ASPA No. 102](http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att440_e.pdf).  Rookery Islands, Holme Bay, Mac.Robertson Land.  [ASMA No. 7](http://www.ats.aq/documents/recatt/Att455_e.pdf).  Southwest Anvers Island and Palmer Basin.  For a complete list of the 15 ASPAs and two ASMAs that support breeding Southern Giant Petrels [click here](https://www.acap.aq/management-plans/mgmt-plans-sgp). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Southern_Giant/white-phase_southern_giant_petrel_gough_sept2010_steve_yaxley.jpg "White-phase Southern Giant Petrel. Photograph by Steve Yaxley") [Click here](http://www.ats.aq/e/ats_other_siteguidelines.htm) for Antarctic localities visited by tourists which have site guideline documents to help protect them.  Five of these sites support breeding Southern Giant Petrels.  They are: [Barrientos Island](http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Aitcho_e.pdf) (Aitcho Islands), South Shetland Islands [Brown Bluff](http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Brown_e.pdf), Antarctic Peninsula (suspected breeding only) [Hannah Point](http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Hannah_e.pdf), Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands [Penguin Island](http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Penguin_e.pdf), eastern King George Island, South Shetland Islands [Turret Point](http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Turrent_e.pdf), eastern King George Island, South Shetland Islands. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 January 2010* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/helping-southern-giant-petrels-on-the-continent-two-antarctic-management-plans-revised.md) ## Seawatching from headlands reveals Balearic Shearwaters occur in large numbers in United Kingdom and Ireland waters [SeaWatch SW](http://www.seawatch-sw.org) is a volunteer-based project in the United Kingdom that started in 2007.  The main aim is to improve understanding of the distribution and behaviour of migratory marine megafauna in the region, both for scientific and conservation purposes, especially of the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30026) Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus*.  This shearwater has been identified by the Albatross and Petrel Agreement as a potential candidate for listing ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/conservation-research-on-the-balearic-shearwater-of-the-mediterranean-a-potential-acap-species)). The project's annual report's for 2009 summarizes its findings on the shearwater as follows: "A total of 983 Balearic Shearwater records were received from the UK and Ireland in 2009, relating to a maximum of 4824 birds.  Numbers reported over the three years 2007-09 have therefore remained stable, with the number of records averaging about 900 (±100) per year and the maximum number of birds seen averaging about 5100 (±300) per year.  It should be noted that these maximum totals will include significant duplication, as some birds may remain in an area for several days or are recorded passing multiple watchpoints.  The temporal distribution of Balearic Shearwater sightings in 2009 was comparable to 2007 and 2008.  The now expected mid-winter influx into southwest England was noted in January, but very few were then seen until birds began returning to southern England in May.  The June total was lower than expected, but numbers rapidly increased to a peak between July and October.  Regular records came from southwest England up to mid-December, but few were seen elsewhere in the late winter.  As with previous years, about two-thirds of records came from southwest England, particularly Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.  About 9% of records came from Ireland and 7% from Wales, with less than 2% from Scotland. Sightings away from southwest England peaked in August and September.  The highest day total was a record Devon count of 145 off Berry Head on 2 Sept.  Overall, the spatiotemporal distribution of Balearic Shearwater sightings in 2007-09 has been remarkably consistent." [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater3_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwater in the hand. Photograph by Daniel Oro ")](http://www.seawatch-sw.org) The complete Executive Summary has also been published in *Sea Swallow*, Annual Report of the [Royal Naval Birdwatching Society](http://www.rnbws.org.uk/), in Vol. 59 of 2010. (pp. 46-55).  Earlier annual reports of Seawatch SW may be found on its [web site](http://www.seawatch-sw.org/results/index.html). **Reference:** Wynn, R.B., Brereton, T.M., Jones, A.R. & Lewis, K.M. 2010.  SeaWatch SW Annual Report 2009.  Southampton: National Oceanography Centre.  118 pp.  [http://www.seawatch-sw.org/downloads/SWSW_AR2009_long.pdf](http://www.seawatch-sw.org/downloads/SWSW_AR2009_long.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/seawatching-from-headlands-reveals-balearic-shearwaters-occur-in-large-numbers-in-united-kingdom-and-ireland-waters.md) ## North Pacific albatrosses to get help from changes to Alaskan fisheries regulations Recommended changes to regulations impacting some commercial fisheries off Alaska should benefit threatened seabirds including the ACAP-listed Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis*, Black-footed *P. nigripes* and Short-tailed *P. albatrus* Albatrosses.  The [changes](http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/newsletters/NEWS1010.pdf) have been approved by the [North Pacific Fishery Management Council](http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/), one of eight regional councils established to oversee management of U.S. fisheries, and now await final approval. The changes include extending the presence of fisheries observers to additional fleets.  Among their other fish-related tasks observers monitor interactions between fishing vessels and seabirds. Observers would be required aboard specified vessels in the commercial [Pacific Halibut](http://www.iphc.washington.edu/research/biology.html)*Hippoglossus stenolepis*  fleet.  Coverage would also be extended to [groundfish](http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/summary_reports/species2001.pdf) vessels that are less than sixty feet (18.3 m) in length, which are currently exempt from the need to carry observers.  Decisions on when and where observers would be assigned would be made by the [U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service](http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short-Tailed_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds1.jpg "Short-tailed Albatross in flight. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") The observer programme was implemented in the U.S. domestic fishing fleet in Alaska in 1990 ([click here](http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/FMA/history.htm)).  An observer's duties include collecting information on the incidental take of seabirds, including of the three ACAP albatross species.  This information is critical to estimating total bycatch of seabirds in these fisheries.  Efforts to reduce seabird bycatch have contributed to reductions in the number of albatrosses killed by commercial fishing vessels off Alaska from over 1100 in 1993 to less than 200 in 2006. Two Short-tailed Albatrosses died in Alaskan fisheries in 2010 ([click here](http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/infobulletins/bulletin.asp?BulletinID=7271)). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/north-pacific-albatrosses-to-get-help-from-changes-to-alaskan-fisheries-regulations.md) ## The Short-tailed Albatross nest fails on Kure Atoll, Hawaii After close to two months of incubation by both members of a suspected female-female pair ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatross-mate-returns-to-its-nest-on-kure-atoll-hawaii)), the Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* nest on Kure Atoll has failed.  Between 23 and 25 December the immature-plumaged bird took over incubation of the nest.  On the next nest check on 27 December a crushed egg was observed beside the nest cup with the bird sitting 15 m away. The field crew suspects that the damage to the egg could have occurred during a switch in incubation shifts.  The following day the crushed egg was collected and the nest cup excavated to look for the second egg.  The second egg was not found (even after checking under nearby Laysan *P. immutabilis* and Black-footed *P. nigripes*Albatross nests) and it is suspected that it was eaten by crabs.  The collected egg was dissected and contained only liquid, and since the projected hatch date for the egg was 1 January, it was likely infertile since no chick was found inside, further supporting the suspicion that the incubating pair consisted of two females. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short_tailed_albatross_kure_cynthia_ vanderlip.jpg "Incubating Short-tailed Albatross on Kure Atoll. Photograph by Cynthia Vanderlip") Although the failure of the nest is disappointing, it is not surprising given that no male birds have been observed on the island.  In the meantime we will pin our hopes on a positive outcome for the Midway Atoll nest which is still being incubated by a suspected male-female pair of Short-tailed Albatrosses ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/all-change-at-midways-short-refuge-managertailed-albatross-nest-the-female-returns-to-incubate)).  For more news of the Midway pair also visit [http://www.fws.gov/midway/Midway%20short-tailed%20albatross%20final%20nr%20120910.pdf](http://www.fws.gov/midway/Midway%20short-tailed%20albatross%20final%20nr%20120910.pdf) With thanks to Cynthia Vanderlip, Field Camp Manager, Kure Atoll Seabird Sanctuary, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources for information by satellite phone from Kure Atoll. *Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, 8 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-short-tailed-albatross-nest-fails-on-kure-atoll-hawaii.md) ## How well will southern albatrosses face up to climate change? Christophe Barbraud of the [Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé](http://www.cebc.cnrs.fr/), France and colleagues  writing in the *[Journal of Animal Ecology](http://www.journalofanimalecology.org/view/0/index.html)* have studied how Amsterdam *Diomedea amsterdamensis* and Black-browed *Thalassarche melanophris* Albatrosses and Snow Petrels *Pagodroma nivea* might react to climate change. The paper's summary follows: "1. Recent climate change has affected a wide range of species, but predicting population responses to projected climate change using population dynamics theory and models remains challenging, and very few attempts have been made.  The Southern Ocean sea surface temperature and sea ice extent are projected to warm and shrink as concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases increase, and several top predator species are affected by fluctuations in these oceanographic variables. 2. We compared and projected the population responses of three seabird species living in subtropical, sub-Antarctic and Antarctic biomes to predicted climate change over the next 50 years.  Using stochastic population models we combined long-term demographic datasets and projections of sea surface temperature and sea ice extent for three different IPCC emission scenarios (from most to least severe: A1B, A2, B1) from general circulation models of Earth's climate. 3. We found that climate mostly affected the probability to breed successfully, and in one case adult survival.  Interestingly, frequent nonlinear relationships in demographic responses to climate were detected.  Models forced by future predicted climatic change provided contrasted population responses depending on the species considered.  The northernmost distributed species was predicted to be little affected by a future warming of the Southern Ocean, whereas steep declines were projected for the more southerly distributed species due to sea surface temperature warming and decrease in sea ice extent.  For the most southerly distributed species, the A1B and B1 emission scenarios were respectively the most and less damaging.  For the two other species, population responses were similar for all emission scenarios. 4. This is among the first attempts to study the demographic responses for several populations with contrasted environmental conditions, which illustrates that investigating the effects of climate change on core population dynamics is feasible for different populations using a common methodological framework.  Our approach was limited to single populations and have neglected population settlement in new favourable habitats or changes in inter-specific relations as a potential response to future climate change.  Predictions may be enhanced by merging demographic population models and climatic envelope models." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/A/Amsterdam/Amsterdam_Albatross_by_Scott_Shaffer.jpg "Amsterdam Albatross. Photograph by Scott Shaffer") **Reference:** Barbraud, C., Rivalan, P., Inchausti, P., Nevoux, N., Rolland, V. & Weimerskirch, H. 2011.  Contrasted demographic responses facing future climate change in Southern Ocean seabirds.  [*Journal of Animal Ecology* 80: 89-100](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2010.01752.x/pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/how-well-will-southern-albatrosses-face-up-to-climate-change.md) ## Making a nice model: Wandering Albatross dispersal, recruitment and survival Gilles Gauthier of the [Département de Biologie, Université Laval](http://www.bio.ulaval.ca/), Quebec, Canada and colleagues in Canada and France, publishing last year in the *[Journal of Ornithology](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336)*, have used a modelling approach to study dispersal, recruitment and survival in the biennially-breeding Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* from the Crozet Islands. The paper's abstract follows: "The study of dispersal or recruitment in long-lived birds using capture-recapture methods is challenging because temporary emigration is often a source of heterogeneity in detection probabilities.  To deal with this problem, we introduced unobservable states in the multistate, spatial recruitment model of Lebreton *et al*. (*Oikos* 101:253-264, 2003) to study dispersal, recruitment and survival in the Wandering Albatross (*Diomedea exulans*), a species with a biennial reproduction (individuals skip breeding following a successful reproduction).  We highlight some of the limitations and challenges encountered in using this approach.  Our dataset came from a 36-year capture-recapture study conducted at three colonies of the Crozet archipelago.  The model had five reproductive stages: pre-breeders, successful breeders, failed breeders, and birds in the year after a successful or a failed breeding attempt, which are unobservable.  In adults, movements between colonies (i.e. breeding dispersal) were nested within reproductive stages.  Several models with different constraints on survival equally fitted the data but had some rank deficiencies (i.e. non-identifiable parameters).  Survival estimates were most biologically realistic (from 0.91 to 0.95) when survival was set equal between observable/ unobservable states but free to vary between successful/ failed breeders and among colonies.  Age-specific recruitment probabilities peaked at 9-10 years and appeared well estimated despite limitations in setting the age of constant recruitment probability.  Modelling natal dispersal and recruitment required a simplification of the structure of the model due to computer limitations.  When applying the complete and reduced versions of the model to the same dataset, we found that survival was well estimated in both cases.  Some transition probability estimates were also similar, but transitions from unobservable to observable states were poorly estimated in the simplified version.  We conclude that the simplified version of the model should be limited to the estimation of natal dispersal and that the model with a full structure should be used to estimate breeding dispersal." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatrosses_marion_island_by_john_cooper.jpg "Wandering Albatross and chick. Photograph by John Cooper") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/coming-home-to-mummy-where-do-wandering-albatrosses-choose-to-breed) for details of a related paper by the same authors. **Reference:** Gauthier, G., Milot, E. & Weimerskirch, H. 2010.  Estimating dispersal, recruitment and survival in a biennially breeding species, the Wandering Albatross.  [*Journal of Ornithology* DOI 10.1007/s10336-010-0541-9](http://www.springerlink.com/content/hj601w58660m3tr2/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 January 2010* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/making-a-nice-model-wandering-albatross-dispersal-recruitment-and-survival.md) ## Skewed adult sex ratios in albatross and petrel bycatch are due to differential at-sea distributions Leandro Bugoni, Kate Griffiths and Robert Furness publishing on-line in the *[Journal of Ornithology](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336)* have looked at skewed sex ratios in albatrosses and petrels killed by longline fisheries. The paper's abstract follows: "Skewed adult sex ratio (ASR) has been proposed as a common pattern in birds, frequently biased towards males and with larger biases in globally threatened species.  In albatrosses and petrels, it has been suggested that differential mortality of one gender in fisheries is caused either by sexual size dimorphism giving males a competitive advantage, which allows more access of the larger sex (i.e. males) to discards and/or baits, or to at sea segregation of sexes.  Here, we tested these hypotheses by determining ASRs in albatrosses and petrels trapped at sea when attending longline fishing vessels for discards in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, and searched in the literature for patterns in ASR in albatrosses and petrels killed by fisheries in this area and elsewhere.  We show that skewed ASR is common in albatrosses and petrels in the community attending vessels for discards, confirming results found for birds in general.  There was no correlation between skewed ASR and conservation status, or between ASR and sexual size dimorphism.  Our review of the sex of birds incidentally killed in fisheries found skewed ASR toward males, females or parity to be equally reported. Thus, sexual dimorphism in size does not explain skewed ASR in the community we sampled or in incidental captures in fisheries in the review.  Differential at-sea distribution of sexes appears to be a better explanation of the patterns found in the community sampled at sea as well as skewed ASR in seabird fatalities, particularly distant from breeding areas." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white_chinned_petrel_hooked_by nicolas_gasco.jpg "A longline-hooked White-chinned Petrel. Photograph by Nicolas Gasco") **Reference:** Bugoni, L., Griffiths, K. & Furness, R.W. 2010.  Sex-biased incidental mortality of albatrosses and petrels in longline fisheries: differential distributions at sea or differential access to baits mediated by sexual size dimorphism?  [*Journal of Ornithology* DOI: 10.1007/s10336-010-0577-x](http://www.springerlink.com/content/d23x6567077j1g2x/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/skewed-adult-sex-ratios-in-albatross-and-petrel-bycatch-are-due-to-differential-at-sea-distributions.md) ## Growing old gracefully? Aged Cory's Shearwaters take it easy at sea Paulo Catry and colleagues writing in the *[Journal of Ornithology](http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/animal+sciences/journal/10336)* have looked at aging effects in foraging Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea* (a potential candidate species for ACAP listing). The paper's abstract follows "It has long been known that birds change their behaviour, reproductive performance and survival as they mature, including in the first few years after recruitment into the breeding population.  However, and contrasting with the description of patterns of actuarial and reproductive senescence in later years, there are surprisingly few studies documenting changes in behaviour in old individuals.  Such studies are important, as birds provide particularly interesting models for studying the biology of senescence.  It has been suggested that, unlike mammals, birds may remain physically fit until an advanced age, yet this has limited empirical support.  In this paper, we used activity (immersion) loggers to show that old (>26 years) Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea* are less active when foraging at sea, spend more time resting on the water and have a smaller number of take-offs and landings during darkness, when compared to experienced mid-aged individuals (13-20 years old).  Old individuals also tended to have reduced immune response against an experimental challenge using phytohaemagglutinin.  These results are in line with observed reductions in activity levels with age in a wide range of non-avian taxa, and may suggest that old seabirds are physically less fit than younger individuals.  Alternatively, old birds might simply be more experienced and their reduction in activity might reflect a strategic regulation of investment in different activities.  Our study illustrates the potential for gaining insights into avian aging patterns and processes by looking into the behaviour of model organisms.  We therefore encourage more research focusing on behavioural parameters that may reflect variations in physical condition or strategic choices, during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater at sea. Photograph by John Graham") **Reference:** Catry, P., Granadeiro, J.P., Ramos, J., Phillips, R.A. & Oliveira, P.  2010. Either taking it easy or feeling too tired: old Cory's Shearwaters display reduced activity levels while at sea.  [*Journal of Ornithology* DOI: 10.1007/s10336-010-0616-7](http://www.springerlink.com/content/w137006073g8j105/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/growing-old-gracefully-aged-corys-shearwaters-take-it-easy-at-sea.md) ## BirdLife hosts a Gadfly Petrel Conservation Group The Albatross and Petrel Agreement currently covers all of the World's albatrosses and two genera of petrels, the two giant petrels *Macronectes* and the five large burrowing *Procellaria* petrels.  In addition at several ACAP meetings discussion has occurred on the advisability of adding selected species of shearwaters *Calonectris* and *Puffinus* to the Agreement, although to date no nominations have been made ([click here](http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/36_1/36_1_1-8.pdf))*. A large group of seabirds belonging to the petrel family Procellariidae that is not currently covered or is being considered for listing by ACAP are the 36 gadfly petrels of the genera *Pterodroma* and *Pseudobulweria*, two-thirds of which have a globally threatened status ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciessearchresults.php?reg=&cty=&cri=&fam=18&gen=0&spc=&cmn=&hab=&thr=&bt=&rec=N&vag=N&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&SearchTerms)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/Petrels/atlantic_petrel_graham_parker_kalinka_rexer-huber.jpg "Atlantic Petrel breeding on Gough Island: a threatened gadfly petrel. Photograph by Graham Parker and Kalinka Rexer-Huber ") In order to address the serious plight of these species, the Gadfly Petrel Conservation Group was established in 2008/9 by the Global Seabird Programme of BirdLife International with the aim of improving knowledge and conservation status of the 32 species of *Pterodroma* and four *Pseudobulweria* petrels.  The aim of the group is to act as a resource for scientists working with gadfly petrels worldwide by providing an informal forum for sharing management experiences and knowledge to help advance their understanding and conservation.  The current membership of the group is close to one hundred. Many gadfly petrels are known or are thought to share similar ecological requirements, both at their breeding sites and at sea.  Threats from introduced predators, habitat loss/alteration and vulnerability due to limited numbers of known breeding sites are a few of the common threats faced.  This makes the sharing of knowledge of management successes (and failures) of disproportionate importance to the future conservation of these species. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/Petrels/atlantic_petrel_chick_mouse_ross _wanless.jpg "Gough House Mouse feeds on an Atlantic Petrel chick. Photograph By Ross Wanless") Interested persons may apply to join the electronic group by e-mailing Ben Lascelles at BirdLife's Global Seabird Programme on [Ben.Lascelles@birdlife.org](mailto:Ben.Lascelles@birdlife.org).  If approved, access to the group's web site will be forthcoming, allowing the 10 existing discussion groups and forum section to be followed and contributions to them to be made. The gadfly group held its first meeting with an attendance of over 40 at the First World Seabird Conference in August last year ([click here](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/09/gadfly-petrel-conservation-group-poster/)[).](http://www.birdlife.org/community/2010/09/gadfly-petrel-conservation-group-poster/) *See also: "A brief review of the conservation status of shearwaters *Calonectris* and *Puffinus**"**.*  [ACAP AC5 Inf 15](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac5/ac5-information-papers). With thanks to John Croxall and Ben Lascelles for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/birdlife-hosts-a-gadfly-petrel-conservation-group.md) ## ACAP welcomes Ecuador's new National Contact Point to the Agreement A communication has been received that Ecuador, a Party to the Agreement, has appointed a new National Contact Point. He is Daniel Ortega, from the Environment and Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (contact at [dgmedamb@mmrree.gov.ec](mailto:dgmedamb@mmrree.gov.ec)). The ACAP Secretariat welcomes Daniel Ortega to this position and looks forward to working with him when the Sixth Advisory Committee convenes in Guayaquil, Ecuador from 29 August to 2 September this year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/english/english/advisory-committee/ac6/circulars)). The Secretariat offers its grateful thanks to Ecuador's outgoing National Contact Point, Federico Meneses. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_ Albatrosses_by_Kate_Huyvaeart.jpg "Ecuador's Waved Albatrosses breeding in the Galapagos. Photograph by Kate Huyvaeart") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/acap-welcomes-ecuadors-new-national-contact-point-to-the-agreement.md) ## By Josh! Black-footed Albatrosses do not like head winds, but can fly through cyclones Josh Adams and Stephanie Flora of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in California, USA, writing last year in the journal *[Marine Biology](http://www.springer.com/environment/aquatic+sciences/journal/227)*, have looked at how satellite-tracked Black-footed Albatrosses *Phoebastria nigripes* (and four other pelagic seabird species) fly at sea in relation to wind patterns in the North Pacific. The paper's abstract follows: "Satellite telemetry studies of the movements of seabirds are now common and have revealed impressive flight capabilities and extensive distributions among individuals and species at sea.  Linking seabird movements with environmental conditions over vast expanses of the world's open ocean, however, remains difficult.  Seabirds of the order Procellariiformes (e.g., petrels, albatrosses, and shearwaters) depend largely on wind and wave energy for efficient flight.  We present a new method for quantifying the movements of far-ranging seabirds in relation to ocean winds measured by the SeaWinds scatterometer onboard the QuikSCAT satellite.  We apply vector correlation (as defined by Crosby et al. in J Atm Ocean Tech 10:355-367, *1993*) to evaluate how the trajectories (ground speed and direction) for five procellariiform seabirds outfitted with satellite transmitters are related to ocean winds.  Individual seabirds (Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Hawaiian Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel, and Black-footed Albatross) all traveled predominantly with oblique, isotropic crossing to quartering tail-winds (i.e., 105-165° in relation to birds' trajectory).  For all five seabirds, entire track line trajectories were significantly correlated with co-located winds.  Greatest correlations along 8-day path segments were related to wind patterns during birds' directed, long-range migration (Sooty Shearwater) as well as movements associated with mega-scale meteorological phenomena, including Pacific Basin anticyclones (Hawaiian Petrel, Grey-faced Petrel) and eastward-propagating north Pacific cyclones (Black-footed Albatross).  Wind strength and direction are important factors related to the overall movements that delineate the distribution of petrels at sea.  We suggest that vector correlation can be used to quantify movements for any marine vertebrate when tracking and environmental data (winds or currents) are of sufficient quality and sample size.  Vector correlation coefficients can then be used to assess population-or species-specific variability and used to test specific hypotheses related to how animal movements are associated with fluid environments." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_footed/Black_footed_Albatross1_by_Aleks_Terauds_small.jpg "Black-footed Albatross at sea. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **Reference:** Adams, J. & Flora, S. 2010.  Relating seabird movements with ocean winds: linking satellite telemetry with ocean scatterometry.  [*Marine Biology* 157: 915-929](http://www.springerlink.com/content/n507147405615063/fulltext.pdf). See also [http://www-csgc.ucsd.edu/BOOKSTORE/Resources/PP2010/R-ENV-204-Harvey-Adams.pdf](http://www-csgc.ucsd.edu/BOOKSTORE/Resources/PP2010/R-ENV-204-Harvey-Adams.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/by-josh-black-footed-albatrosses-do-not-like-head-winds-but-can-fly-through-cyclones.md) ## Log that! White-chinned Petrels really are birds of the night Elizabeth Mackley of the United Kingdom's [British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/) and the [Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences](http://www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/fbls/), University of Glasgow, along with several of her colleagues, has recently published online in the journal *[Marine Biology](http://www.springer.com/environment/aquatic+sciences/journal/227)* on the year-round at-sea activity patterns of White-chinned Petrels *Procellaria aequinoctialis*. The paper's abstract follows: "Despite the recent burgeoning in predator tracking studies, few report on seabird activity patterns, despite the potential to provide important insights into foraging ecology and distribution.  In the first year-round study for any small petrel, we examined the activity patterns of the white-chinned petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis* based on data from combination geolocator-immersion loggers deployed on adults at South Georgia.  The petrels were highly nocturnal, flying for greater proportions of darkness than any large procellarid [sic] studied so far, except the light-mantled albatross *Phoebetria palpebrata*.  Flight bout durations were short compared with other species, suggesting a dominant foraging mode of small-scale searching within large prey patches.  When migrating, birds reduced the proportion of time on the water and increased flight bout duration.  Activity patterns changed seasonally: birds flew least during the nonbreeding period, and most frequently during chick-rearing in order to meet higher energy demands associated with provisioning offspring.  The degree of their response to moonlight was also stage dependent (greatest in nonbreeding, and weakest in incubating birds), a trait potentially shared by other nocturnal petrels which will have repercussions for feeding success and prey selection.  For the white-chinned petrel, which is commonly caught in longline fisheries, these results can be used to identify periods when birds are most susceptible to bycatch, and therefore when use of mitigation and checking for compliance is critical." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/White_chinned_Petrel_by_Ben Phalan.jpg "A lot to talk about: White-chinned Petrels greet each other. Photograph by Ben Phalan ") **Reference:** Mackley, E.K., Phillips, R.A., Silk, J.R.D., Wakefield, E.D., Afanasyev, V. & Furness, R.W. 2010.  At-sea activity patterns of breeding and nonbreeding white-chinned petrels *Procellaria aequinoctialis* from South Georgia.  [Marine Biology DOI: 10.1007/s00227-010-1570-x](http://www.springerlink.com/content/u7383u2509747614/). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 16 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/log-that-white-chinned-petrels-really-are-birds-of-the-night.md) ## Where shall we holiday this year? Flexibility in winter destinations of individual Cory's Shearwaters Maria Dias of the [Eco-Ethology Research Unit, ISPA](http://www.ispa.pt/ui/uie/),  Lisbon, Portugal  and colleagues publishing online in the journal *[Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/)* have followed Cory's Shearwaters *Calonectris diomedea* (a potential species for ACAP listing) with geo-loggers and found that some birds do not show high fidelity to non-breeding destinations, instead choosing which area of ocean to visit between years. The paper's abstract follows: "There is growing evidence that migratory species are particularly vulnerable to rapid environmental changes arising from human activity.  Species are expected to vary in their capacity to respond to these changes: long-distance migrants and those lacking variability in migratory traits are probably at considerable disadvantage.  The few studies that have assessed the degree of plasticity in behaviour of marine animals suggest that fidelity to non-breeding destinations is usually high.  In the present study, we evaluated individual flexibility in migration strategy of a highly pelagic seabird, the Cory's shearwater *Calonectris diomedea*. Geolocation data from 72 different migrations, including 14 birds that were tracked for more than one non-breeding season, showed a remarkable capacity to change winter destinations between years.  Although some birds exhibited high site fidelity, others shifted from the South to North Atlantic, from the western to eastern South Atlantic, and from the Atlantic to Indian Ocean.  Individuals also showed flexibility in stopover behaviour and migratory schedule.  Although their K-selected life-history strategy has the disadvantage that the chances of microevolution are slight if circumstances alter rapidly, these results suggest that Cory's shearwaters may be in a better position than many other long-distance migrants to face the consequences of a changing environment." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Corys/corys_shearwater_john_graham.jpg "Cory's Shearwater in the south-east Atlantic. Where to next time? Photograph by John Graham ") **Reference:** Dias, M.P., Granadeiro, J.P., Phillips, R.A., Alonso, H. & Paulo Catry, P. Breaking the routine: individual Cory's shearwaters shift winter destinations between hemispheres and across ocean basins.  [*Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences* doi: 10.1098/rspb.2010.2114](http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2010/11/19/rspb.2010.2114.full.pdf+html). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 January 2010* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/where-shall-we-holiday-this-year-flexibility-in-winter-destinations-of-individual-corys-shearwaters.md) ## A real American chick! The Midway Short-tailed Albatrosses hatch their egg A real American chick!  The Midway Short-tailed Albatrosses hatch their egg An important- and hopeful- milestone in the conservation of the threatened Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* was recorded four days ago on 14 January at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument in the North-west Hawaiian island chain.  A Short-tailed Albatross chick hatched out on Eastern Island, one of three small flat coral islands that make up Midway Atoll.  This event marks the first confirmed hatching of a Short-tailed Albatross egg outside Japan in recorded history.  "We are all as excited as new parents," said Daniel Clark, acting Refuge Manager.  "The chick hatched in the middle of a major storm but the parent is doing an excellent job of protecting it so we are guardedly optimistic about its chances for survival." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_midway_female_sarah_gutowsky.jpg "She's no dummy: Midway's female Short-tailed Albatross now has a chick. Photograph by Sarah Gutowsky") Establishing a new breeding colony is one of several important steps needed to continue the rare bird's recovery because volcanic activity regularly threatens the main breeding site on Japan's Torishima Island.  The species' recovery also depends on reducing the threats of  contaminants, especially oil contamination at sea and plastic ingestion; reducing bycatch from longline fisheries; and addressing invasive species and other competitive species at breeding colonies. The Short-tailed Albatross pair was first seen together at Midway during the breeding season four years ago (2007/08) when they were observed spending only a little time together.  During the second season (2008/09), their time together increased.  By the third season (2009/10), they arrived at Eastern Island together and built a nest.  This breeding season on 16 November 2010 an adult Short-tailed Albatross was observed incubating a freshly laid egg for the first time.  The pair has been under remote camera observation since. By the 20th Century, only two Short-tailed Albatross colonies remained on remote Japanese islands - Torishima Island in the Philippine Sea and Minami-kojima Island near Taiwan in the East China Sea.  In 1939, the Short-tailed Albatross' main breeding grounds on Torishima were buried under lava from a volcanic eruption and population numbers plummeted to 10 breeding pairs.  Since then, conservation efforts have helped increase the population to approximately 2400 birds, which forage widely across the North Pacific and can be seen in the Gulf of Alaska, along the Aleutian Islands and in the Bering Sea. Refuge staff and volunteers will continue to monitor the Midway nest daily with the use of a remote video camera. The above information has been taken and adapted from a [US Fish & Wildlife Service](http://www.fws.gov/) press release - with thanks. Go to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/) for great pictures of the proud parents and their chick. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/all-change-at-midways-short-refuge-managertailed-albatross-nest-the-female-returns-to-incubate) to access earlier ACAP stories on this exciting development.  See also [http://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatross-nest-fails-on-kure-atoll-hawaii](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-short-tailed-albatross-nest-fails-on-kure-atoll-hawaii). With thanks to Lindsay Young, ACAP North American News Correspondent, for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-real-american-chick-the-midway-short-tailed-albatrosses-hatch-their-egg.md) ## The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission considers seabird bycatch At its 81st Meeting held inAntigua, Guatemala from 27 September - 1 October 2010 the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission ([IATTC](http://www.iattc.org/HomeENG.htm)) considered further the issue of seabird bycatch. The IATTC had previously adopted **[Resolution C-05-01](http://www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/Resolutions/C-05-01-Seabirds.pdf)** on Incidental Mortality of Seabirds in 2005which required Parties to exchange data on interactions of longline vessels with seabirds.  A Technical Meeting on Seabirds ([click here](http://www.iattc.org/PDFFiles2/IATTC-80-08a-Seabird-meeting-report.pdf) for the meeting report) took place at the initiative of the IATTC Secretariat in Del Mar, USA in May 2009 in order to examine further these interactions and to take stock of existing mitigation measures against seabird mortality. Several documents that were considered at the meeting relating to seabird bycatch may be found at [http://www.iattc.org/Meetings2010/IATTC-AIDCP-Annual-2010ENG.htm](http://www.iattc.org/Meetings2010/IATTC-AIDCP-Annual-2010ENG.htm). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Waved/Waved_Albatross_flying_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "Waved Albatross: endemic to the Pacific Ocean. Photograph by Barry Baker") The Albatross and Petrel Agreement was represented at the Antigua meeting by the Chair of its Advisory Committee, Marco Favero. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2009-news-archive/the-iattc-continues-to-work-towards-a-seabird-bycatch-mitigation-resolution) for an earlier related ACAP news item on the IATTC's deliberations. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-inter-american-tropical-tuna-commission-considers-seabird-bycatch.md) ## The United Nations declares 2011-2020 a Decade of Biodiversity Following a recommendation of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity ([CBD](http://www.cbd.int)) at their conference in October 2010, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 - 2020 as the UN Decade of Biodiversity ([Resolution 65/161](http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/resguide/r65.shtml)). The UN Decade aims to make a contribution to achieving the revised and updated global biodiversity targets agreed at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties ([COP10](http://www.cbd.int/cop10/)) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held last year in Nagoya, Japan.  The biodiversity targets and a new strategy take into consideration the ongoing biodiversity loss on a global scale. The Resolution ([click here](http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2011/ntf-2011-004-undb-en.pdf) for text) requests the UN Secretary General to coordinate the activities of the Decade with the support of the secretariats of the CBD and other biodiversity-related conventions and relevant UN funds, programmes and agencies.  In addition, it invites Member States if possible to contribute to the funding of the activities of the Decade. The UN Decade of Biodiversity coincides with and supports the implementation of the [Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020](http://www.cbd.int/sp/sp2010p/) adopted at CBD COP10.  A strategy to celebrate the Decade will be made available to the Parties by the CBD Secretariat. The revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans ([NBSAPs](http://www.cbd.int/nbsap/)) will be expected, as mandated by CBD COP 10, to cover the full range of activities needed to implement all biodiversity-related conventions (such as the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Disappointment_Island_by_Barry_Baker.jpg "Disappointment Island, part of New Zealand's Auckland Islands. Photograph by Barry Baker") Extracted and adapted from the Convention on Migratory Species ([CMS](http://www.cms.int/)) web site ([click here](http://www.cms.int/news/PRESS/nwPR2011/01_jan/nw_UN_decade_biodiversity.htm) to read the full CMS story. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-united-nations-declares-2011-2020-a-decade-of-biodiversity.md) ## Mediterranean Seabird Conference to be held this year by Medmaravis [Medmaravis](http://www.medmaravis.org/) is an international non-governmental association dealing with the study and conservation of coastal habitats and marine avifauna thoughout the Mediterranean region. The 13th Medmaravis Pan-Mediterranean Symposium will be held in Alghero, Sardinia from 14-17 October 2011.  The overall theme of the conference is "Mediterranean Seabird Ecology and Conservation: Update and Progress". Information on the conference, including the call for abstracts (deadline 15 May), may be found at [http://www.medmaravis.org/13th%20Medmara%20Symposium.html](http://www.medmaravis.org/13th%20Medmara%20Symposium.html). Although the Mediterranean Sea is only very rarely visited by ACAP-listed species as vagrants ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/crossing-the-line-albatrosses-changing-hemispheres)), several shearwaters that breed within the region have been proposed for listing within the Agreement, including the Mediterranean-endemic Balearic Shearwater *Puffinus mauretanicus* ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/conservation-research-on-the-balearic-shearwater-of-the-mediterranean-a-potential-acap-species)).  Ecology and migration of shearwaters forms one of the 2011 meeting themes. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Balearic/balearic_shearwater_daniel_oro.jpg "Balearic Shearwater in its breeding cave. Photograph by Daniel Oro")](http://www.medmaravis.org/) Similar to previous Medmaravis conferences, it is intended to publish a proceedings made up of accepted papers presented at the symposium.  [Click here](http://www.medmaravis.org/Publications.html) to view a list of Medmaravis publications since 1986, including proceedings of its previous conferences. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/mediterranean-seabird-conference-to-be-held-this-year-by-medmaravis.md) ## South Atlantic Wandering Albatrosses may be doing a little better this year The latest Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* egg count in at least one locality in the South Atlantic has led surveyors to be guardedly optimistic about the future of the birds there. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_prion_island_anton_wolfaardt.jpg "Wandering Albatross breeding on Prion Island. Photograph by Anton Wolfaardt") At the end of December last year Sally Poncet and Ken Passfield undertook a count of Wandering Albatross eggs in nests on Albatross and Prion Islands in the Bay of Isles.  This is the thirteenth consecutive year of survey, a period which has seen an alarming decline in the egg count across the two islands from a maximum of 217 in 2001 to a minimum of 159 in 2007 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/numbers-of-wandering-albatrosses-breeding-in-the-south-atlantic-down-in-2010) to read a report on the previous season's census). For logistical reasons the census in the Bay of Isles, normally done around 12 January, took place early this season. A total of 165 eggs was recorded, but Sally said: "There are a few more birds to lay yet, maybe up to six on Albatross Island, and at least one on Prion Island, as it is nearly two weeks earlier than usual and well before the last egg-lay date."  Counts in recent seasons appear to show a cessation in the decline in numbers of breeding birds, maybe even signs of a slow recovery. The researchers camped on Albatross Island from 29 December to 1 January.  They then had just a single day to count the birds on Prion Island but were luckily blessed with good weather. Other studies undertaken at Albatross and Prion Islands include censuses of giant petrels *Macronectes*; an assessment of the degradation of seabird habitat due to trampling of vegetation by fur seals; monitoring of tourism numbers from visiting cruise ships; and assessing any impact of the boardwalk on Prion Island. The Bay of Isles Wandering Albatross censuses are to continue for at least another three years. [Click here](http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/%28h%29South_Georgia_Newsletter%2C_December_2010) to access the original story and to view the 13-year trend. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 January 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/south-atlantic-wandering-albatrosses-seem-to-doing-a-little-better-this-year.md) ## FAO's Committee on Fisheries will consider seabird bycatch issues in Rome next week. The Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ([FAO](http://www.fao.org/)) will hold its Twenty-Ninth Session in Rome, Italy over 31 January to 4 February ([click here](http://www.fao.org/cofi/cofi2011/en/)). COFI constitutes theonly global inter-governmental forum where major international fisheries problems and issues are examinedand recommendations addressed to governments, regional fishery bodies, NGOs, fishers and the international community on a world-wide basis.  COFI has also been used as a forum in which global agreements and non-binding instruments are negotiated, such as the [Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries](http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/v9878e/v9878e00.htm) and the International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries ([IPOA-Seabirds](http://www.fao.org/fishery/ipoa-seabirds/en)). [Click here](http://www.fao.org/cofi/cofi2011/64143/en/) to access the various working documents and information papers to be considered at the 2011 meeting.  Two of these documents are of interest in relation to fisheries-induced mortality of seabirds, as outlined below. Firstly, FAO-COFI-29 will consider working document COFI/2011/2 which reports on progress with the Code of Conduct and related instruments, including the IPOA-Seabirds.  "Fifty-nine percent of FAO Members reported that they had assessed longline fisheries and associated incidental seabird bycatch problems, a result similar to past reports, and 44% of Members assessed that an NPOA-Seabirds was required.  Members having implemented a plan have risen from 33% in 2005, 60% in 2007, 78% in 2009 and 80% in 2011."  The document also reports on mitigation measures used. The document goes on to report that "Fourteen RFBs [regional fishery bodies] reported that they had adopted measures over the last two years to limit or strengthen existing measures on fisheries bycatch and discards.  They included promoting research programmes, introducing action plans, bycatch and/or minimum size limits as well as various mitigation technologies, and adopting agreements and/or resolutions to minimize discards and bycatch, to the extent possible, of non-target species such as sharks, sea turtles, seabirds and dolphins." Further, "Eight RFBs listed their efforts to assist in the implementation of the IPOA-Seabirds.  Efforts included conservation measures aimed at mitigating seabird bycatch, introducing devices to minimize seabird interaction such as tori poles [=bird-scaring lines], support and encouragement for the establishment and implementation of national plans of action, data collection on seabird interactions and regular reviews to identify best practices for seabird bycatch mitigation techniques." Secondly, COFI in 2011 will also consider the Report of the Technical Consultation to Develop International Guidelines on Bycatch Management and Reduction of Discards, held late last year ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-food-and-agiculture-organization-fao-makes-progress-with-adopting-international-guidelines-on-bycatch-management-and-reduction-of-discards) for an earlier news item on this development). ACAP will be represented at the 29th FAO-COFI by its Executive Secretary, Warren Papworth. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/white_chinned_petrel_hooked_by nicolas_gasco.jpg "A longline-hooked White-chinned Petrel. Photograph by Nicolas Gasco") **References:** [COFI/2011/2](http://www.fao.org/cofi/23746-04410ed04b38ca1fd22aa01aec173330a.pdf):  Progress in the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and related instruments, including International Plans of Action and strategies, and other matters.  [COFI/2011/Inf.11](http://www.fao.org/cofi/24783-031746950243fc578576fbcc736d66f52.pdf):  Report of the Technical Consultation to Develop International Guidelines on Bycatch Management and Reduction of Discards.  Rome, 6-10 December 2010. *FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Report*.  No. 957.  Rome, FAO.  2010. 32 pp. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/faos-committee-on-fisheries-will-consider-seabird-bycatch-issues-meet-in-rome-next-week.md) ## BirdLife International's Albatross Task Force tests bird-scaring lines off Uruguay with success BirdLife International's [Albatross Task Force](http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/taskforce/) now operates in seven southern hemisphere fishing nations in Africa and South America.  One of these is Uruguay where recent at-sea experiments have confirmed the value of deploying bird-scaring ("Tori") lines behind pelagic longliners to reduce the mortality of albatrosses and petrels. Two recent reports of this success by ATF-Uruguay members Martin Abreu and Sebastián Jiménez may be read on the [Task Force Blog](http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/albatross/). Sebastián reports that in 2009-2010 ATF Uruguay completed eight fishing trips on commercial longliners.  During days when longline gear was set without using a bird-scaring line 25 birds were caught.  However, with longlines set under the protection of a bird-scaring line not a single bird was killed.  In support of this positive finding Martin went to sea on a research vessel and again deployment of a bird-scaring line resulted in no mortalities, although when not used, birds were killed.  Work is now planned for 2011 to reduce the chances of the longline and bird-scaring line becoming entangled.  Use of a weak link on the bird-scaring line that canj break when an entanglement occurs has shown promise in this regard. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/White_capped/white_capped_alb_male_bird_island_by_richard_phillips11.jpg "White-capped Albatrosses occur in Uruguayan waters. Photograph by Richard Phillips") The Uruguayan Albatross Task Force team is employed by Proyecto Albatros y Petreles - Uruguay and works closely with the National Programme of Observers Onboard the Tuna Fleet (Programa Nacional de Observadores a Bordo de la Flota Atunera Uruguaya ([PNOFA](http://www.dinara.gub.uy/web_dinara/index.php?option=com_content&id=179)) and the Pelagic Resources Department (Departamento de Recursos Pelágicos) of the National Direction of Aquatic Resources (Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; [DINARA](http://www.dinara.gub.uy/web_dinara/)). [Click here](http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MU09048.htm) to access a scientific publication by Proyecto Albatros y Petreles - Uruguay on interactions of seabirds with the Uruguayan longline fishing fleet. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 January 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/birdlife-internationals-albatross-task-force-tests-bird-scaring-lines-off-uruguay-with-success.md) ## Change and Loss in Marine Biodiversity from Bycatch in Marine Capture Fisheries: conference call A session on fisheries bycatch will be held as part of the [World Conference on Marine Biodiversity](http://www.marine-biodiversity.org) over 26-30 September 2011 in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Overexploitation of bycatch and target species in marine capture fisheries is the most widespread and direct driver of change and loss of global marine biodiversity.  The thematic session "Change and Loss in Marine Biodiversity from Bycatch in Marine Capture Fisheries" aims to cover the following issues: (i)  Ecological risk assessment methods to augment knowledge of the genetic- to ecosystem-level effects of fisheries bycatch; (ii)  Components for effective governance of fisheries bycatch, including monitoring, data collection protocols, open access to datasets, conservation and management measures, surveillance and enforcement; (iii)  Alternative methods to avoid, reduce and offset the capture of sensitive species groups and reduce injury and mortality from interactions with marine capture fisheries (e.g. marine spatial planning, networks of protected sites of relative importance to populations vulnerable to bycatch, gear technology methods, market-based mechanisms, compensatory mitigation); and (iv)  Considerations to achieve industry uptake of effective gear technology bycatch mitigation methods, including efficacy, economic viability, practicality and crew safety. Presentations addressing other sub-themes related to bycatch are encouraged. To submit abstracts and for more information or suggestions for the thematic session contact: Eric Gilman, College of Natural & Computational Sciences, Hawaii Pacific University, USA, [EricLGilman@gmail.com](mailto:EricLGilman@gmail.com) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Fishing_Gear/safe_leads_acap_by_graham_robertson.jpg "Helping seabirds: safe leads. Photograph by Graham Robertson") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 31 January 2010* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/change-and-loss-in-marine-biodiversity-from-bycatch-in-marine-capture-fisheries-conference-call.md) ## Hope for Macquarie Island's birds as its vegetation starts to recover As many people might be aware, introduced European Rabbit numbers on Australia's sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island have increased over the last 15 years with significant impacts on the island's vegetation.  The devastating loss of habitat over this time has also impacted on many of the island's seabird species, including ACAP-listed albatrosses and many of the burrowing petrels. In May 2010 an attempt was made to begin the eradication of rabbits and rodents from Macquarie Island using poison bait dropped from helicopters ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/eradication-of-rabbits-and-rodents-will-continue-at-macquarie-island-in-2011)).  Unfortunately, only around 10% of the island was baited before the attempt had to be abandoned due to unrelenting bad weather.  Nevertheless, researchers Justine Shaw and Aleks Terauds visited the island this summer and report that the vegetation recovery in the baited areas is significant and encouraging. In the six months since the bait was dropped rabbits have all but disappeared from the baited areas, tussock grass *Poa* sp. and Silver-leaf Daisy*Pleurophyllum* *hookeri*seedlings are in abundance and the Macquarie Island Cabbage *Stilbocarpa polaris* is starting to grow back in some of the places where it was badly grazed.  This bodes well for the success of the eradication operation due to start again in May 2011.  The operation is scheduled to start earlier this year to maximize the chances of better weather and a successful island-wide bait drop. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/macquarie-vegetarion_recovery_justine_shaw_by_aleks_terauds.jpg "Justine Shaw climbing up among recovering tussock Poa foliosa on Macquarie Island's south-eastern corner. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") Regular news of the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013) can be obtained from its newsletter *[Macquarie Dispatch](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13001)*.  [Click here](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=21621) for the latest edition: No. 7 of February 2011. With thanks to Aleks Terauds for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/hope-for-macquarie-islands-birds-as-its-vegetation-starts-to-recover.md) ## Bycatch to be discussed at the 3rd Joint Meeting of the Tuna RFMOs (Kobe III) in the USA in July Kobe III (the 3rd Joint Meeting of the [Tuna RFMOs](http://www.tuna-org.org/)) will be held from 11-15 July 2011 in La Jolla, California, USA, and will bring together the five Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.  The Albatross and Petrel Agreement has been invited to attend as an Observer by the Kobe III organizers and it is expected it will be represented at the meeting. It is intended that the conference will be preceded by the first meeting (over one day) of the Joint Technical Bycatch Working Group, whose Terms of Reference were developed at the Kobe II Bycatch Workshop.  It is intended that this meeting will consist of two to three technical experts from each Tuna RFMO, as well as invited observers from interested and involved organizations such as ACAP. See [www.regonline.com/kobe3](http://www.regonline.com/kobe3) for more information. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_04_Fig3.jpg) For information on the Kobe II Bycatch Workshop held in Brisbane, Australia in June 2010 and to access its final report [click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/report-of-the-kobe-ii-bycatch-workshop-now-available).  See also [http://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tuna-commissions-kobe-ii-workshop-and-cms-scientific-council-feedback-on-recent-discussions-on-seabird-bycatch](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/tuna-commissions-kobe-ii-workshop-and-cms-scientific-council-feedback-on-recent-discussions-on-seabird-bycatch). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 3 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/bycatch-to-be-discussed-at-the-3rd-joint-meeting-of-the-tuna-rfmos-kobe-iii-in-the-usa-in-july.md) ## Opportunities exist for eradicating invasive mammals from islands supporting ACAP-listed species Richard Phillips of the [British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/), and [Convenor](https://www.acap.aq/working-groups/working-groups/breeding-sites-wg-convener?catid=261) of the ACAP Breeding Sites Working Group, has published an editorial in the Australian journal *[Emu Austral Ornithology](http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/96.htm)* reviewing the presence of alien mammals on islands - and what might best be done about them. The paper's conclusions follow: "Given the clear evidence for impacts of invasive species on birds, and the focus on mitigating and reversing biodiversity loss generated by the International Year of Biodiversity, the time is now ripe for conservation managers and researchers to make a difference at the grass-roots level.  There is sufficient information available that with good planning and advice from an eradication expert, campaigns to eliminate invasive mammals from small islands (<500 ha) can be achieved with relatively modest budgets and small teams (5-10 people).  It is important to caution that despite many recent successes, the effort needed to eradicate introduced mammals should not be underestimated, as indicated by the failure of several well-resourced programmes for a variety of reasons, including inadequate baiting regimes, competition for bait from terrestrial invertebrates, deviation from agreed protocols, problems with nontarget poisoning leading to cancellation, lack of funding and public support.  Nevertheless, by widening awareness of the available technology and expertise, learning lessons from past campaigns, and considering ecosystemwide implications, both the political will and opportunities for eradications and the associated research are currently unprecedented." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/Gough_Island_Met_Base_by_John_Cooper.jpg "Gough Island, where alien House Mice are causing havoc. Photograph by John Cooper ") There are introduced mammals present on many islands on which ACAP species currently breed, and attempts are underway, or are planned, for their removal from several of them, as regularly publicized on this web site.  Richard Phillips has also produced, on behalf of ACAP, a document entitled "Guidelines for Eradication of Introduced Mammals from Breeding Sites of ACAP-listed Seabirds" (to access [click here](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/PDF_Docs/En/acap_eradication_guidelines_en1.1.pdf)). **Reference:** Phillips, R.A. 2010.  Eradications of invasive mammals from islands: why, where, how and what next?  [*Emu* 110: i-vii](http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=MUv110n4_ED.pdf). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 4 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/opportunities-exist-for-eradicating-invasive-mammals-from-islands-supporting-acap-listed-species.md) ## South Atlantic rodent eradication set to get started this month This year a start will be made to eradicate introduced Norway Rats *Rattus norvegicus* from the main island of South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* in the South Atlantic. It is hoped removal of rats will aid [significant populations](http://www.springerlink.com/content/e416r1p26423752v/ ) of the ACAP-listed White-chinned Petrel *Procellaria aequinoctialis*, as well as of other species of burrowing procellariiform seabirds that breed on the island. Phase One begins this month with the Habitat Restoration Project team arriving on the island with two helicopters and fuel that will be used for the poison bait drop.   Phase One will continue with helicopter test flights, setting up accommodation and radio equipment, trialling of equipment and calibrating bait buckets.  When the second group of team members arrive, a search and rescue exercise will be conducted, and initial monitoring activities will take place. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/White_chinned_Petrel_by_Ben Phalan.jpg "Whie-chinned Petrels displaying. Photograph by Ben Phalan") The first bait drop is scheduled for 1 March.  When weather permits, the helicopters will disperse bait over Greene Peninsula, Thatcher Peninsula, Mercer Bay and Saddle Island.  The team will undertake further monitoring activities into April and complete any final bait spreading before packing up the equipment and mothballing the helicopters on the island for the austral winter.  Phase 2 is planned to take place over 2013-2015 and is aimed to rid the entire island of rats.  Monitoring will be carried out throughout the island in 2016 and 2017 in order to ensure that no rats have survived. [Click here](http://www.sght.org/projects.htm) for more information on the project and to access its newsletters and the operational plan. To read about another ongoing eradication effort at a Southern Ocean island, visit the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project.](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 5 February 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.* * [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/south-atlantic-rodent-eradication-set-to-get-started-this-month.md) ## FAO Committee on Fisheries adopts international guidelines on bycatch management in Rome last week The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Committee on Fisheries (FAO-COFI) meeting in its [29th Session](http://www.fao.org/cofi/cofi2011/en/) in Rome, Italy this last week has adopted **International Guidelines on Bycatch Management and Reduction of Discards**that were developed at a technical consultation held in December last year. The guideline's summary follows: "These International Guidelines on Bycatch Management and Reduction of Discards were developed and adopted by the FAO Technical Consultation held in Rome from 6 to 10 December 2010.  They are intended to assist States and RFMO/As in the management of bycatch and reduction of discards in conformity with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries." [Click here](http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i2024e/i2024e00.pdf)to access the technical consultation report and the appended guidelines document. Go to an earlier [ACAP news item](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-food-and-agiculture-organization-fao-makes-progress-with-adopting-international-guidelines-on-bycatch-management-and-reduction-of-discards) for more information on the guidelines. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_10_Fig1.jpg) ACAP was represented at the 2011 meeting of COFI by its Executive Secretary, Warren Papworth. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 6 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/fao-committee-on-fisheries-adopts-international-guidelines-on-bycatch-management-in-rome-this-week.md) ## More news of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project: distributing Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus in carrots The following news is taken from the latest [This Week at Macquarie](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island). "As part of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project and under the management of TASPARKS ranger Justin, we are gearing up to distribute Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus to the pest rabbits here.  This pest animal bio-control procedure is being undertaken as a prelude to the aerial laid poison bait programme planned for the coming winter. It is hoped that the virus (which is completely harmless to other wildlife) will spread effectively and kill rabbits now in order to reduce the number of poison-baited carcasses produced next winter.  We have commenced distribution of chopped carrot to pre-feed rabbits prior to distributing carrot with virus at selected sites around the island, and also trapping for direct injection." ([click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/2011/4-february-2011/2) to view illustrations of trapping and carrot dispersing). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/macquarie-vegetarion_recovery_justine_shaw_by_aleks_terauds.jpg "Macquarie Island: recovering vegetation. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") Go to an earlier ACAP [news item](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/hope-for-macquarie-islands-birds-as-its-vegetation-starts-to-recover) to learn more about the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 7 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/more-news-of-the-macquarie-island-pest-eradication-project-distributing-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease-virus-in-carrots.md) ## "The Mists of Time": Cymba, a Wandering Albatross from the South Atlantic gets into print *The Mists of Time* is a fictionalised account of the life of a South Atlantic Wandering Albatross from being reared by its parents, finding its life-long mate and embarking on a lifetime of epic voyages and a final return to its starting point. It is a haunting tale in the tradition of classic heroes and heroic voyages, although the dangers Cymba faces are of our own time and of humanity's making. The book is illustrated with photographs by internationally respected wildlife photographers, several of whom donated images as their contribution to this initiative for the protection and conservation of the Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans*.  All profits from the sale of the book have been donated by the author to the *South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering albatross display by Rowan Treblico.jpg "Wandering Albatrosses displaying. Photograph by Rowan Treblico") Retired business executive Jim Wilkinson writes under the pen name of James McQuilken, which was his old Irish family name until the early 19th century.  *The Mists of Time* is his response to the appalling wholesale slaughter of seabirds in the Southern Ocean. **Reference:** McQuilken, J. 2010.  *The Mists of Time.*  *The Amazing Story of Cymba, the Wandering Albatross from the Islands of South Georgia.*  York: Sessions of York, England.  162 pp, 15 colour photographs.  ISBN 978-1-85072-409-4.  UK£15.00.  ([Click here](http://www.southgeorgia.absolutewebhosting2.co.uk/prod5.asp?prod_id=148&id=266&grpid=148&msg=&offset=#prod_anchor) to order). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/publications-acap-species/childrens-books-on-albatrosses-and-petrels) for a listing of children's books and other fictional accounts of ACAP-listed species, including the following title written about a southern Indian Ocean Wanderer from Marion Island. James, N. & Mackintosh, R. 2009.  *Allie makes a Difference*.  Wynberg: Don Nelson Publishers.  104 pp.  ISBN 978-1-86806-278-2. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 February 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/qthe-mists-of-timeq-cymba-a-wandering-albatross-from-the-south-atlantic-gets-into-print.md) ## A "Perfect Storm" kills hundreds of breeding Black-browed Albatrosses [Beauchêne Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauchene_Island ) in the South Atlantic Ocean harbours the second largest breeding colony of the [Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3959) Black-browed Albatross *Thalassarche melanophris* in the World, the largest colony being found at [Steeple Jason Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steeple_Jason_Island), also in the South Atlantic.  More than 100 000 pairs of Black-browed Albatrosses breed in dense colonies, mostly along the western coast and in the south of Beauchêne, which is approximately 170 ha in size.  Large numbers of Southern Rockhopper Penguins *Eudyptes chrysocome* also nest within these mixed colonies. Due mostly to its remote nature, Beauchêne Island is rarely visited.  In December 2010 a small research team spent three weeks camping on the island to conduct a range of studies on the island's Rockhopper Penguins and Black-browed Albatrosses.  During this period the area was affected by a particularly severe storm event, which had significant consequences for the island's seabird populations.  A deep low-pressure system had been building up from the Drake Passage, and by the time it hit Beauchêne Island (on the afternoon of 13 December) the wind speed had increased to 60-80 knots, resulting in open ocean swells in excess of 10 metres.  The wind and swell were from a south-westerly direction, making the south and west coasts of the island, where the majority of the seabirds nests, especially exposed. As the wind increased in strength, the albatrosses hunkered down on their nests and many were observed using their wings to anchor themselves.  By the evening of 13 December waves breaking on the western coast had reached some of the nesting seabirds on the southern and western side of the island.  A single wave was observed breaking over an area comprising about 100 Black-browed albatross nests, a similar number of Rockhopper Penguin nests, and about 30 Imperial Cormorant *Phalacrocorax atriceps* nests, pulling out to sea many of the adult birds in the process.  The storm continued to intensify through the night, and surveys conducted the following day revealed that the strong winds and large waves had resulted in a substantial loss of eggs and chicks, especially for Black-browed Albatrosses, Rockhopper Penguins and Gentoo Penguins *Pygoscelis papua*. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_6_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_3_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_5_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_4_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_2_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_1_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/B/Black_browed/black-browed_albatross_beauchene_storm_7_anton_wolfaardt.jpg) Most Rockhopper Penguin nests had small chicks at the time, and the albatross nests had a mixture of eggs and recently hatched chicks.  The area most severely affected by the storm, which contained approximately 12 000 to 13 000 Black-browed Albatross nests, suffered almost 100% breeding failure.  Although many adult albatrosses were still sitting on or near their nests, these were all flooded.  Large numbers of eggs and dead chicks lay strewn across the colony, and there was evidence of waves having reached areas relatively high up in the colony.  Many adult albatrosses were found pinned under rocks or tree trunks that had washed up during previous storms, others were entangled in kelp, and an estimated 300 adult birds died as a result, the majority of which were Black-browed Albatrosses.  Some adult birds, weak and injured as a consequence of the storm, were observed attempting to leave the colony, but were unable to gain sufficient height to fly over the breaking waves. These birds were battered by the large waves, and later washed up on the shore either dead or with broken wings.  Other areas on the island which were more elevated, and so were not impacted directly by the breaking waves, were also found to have suffered significant breeding failure, probably due to exposure to the strong wind and the deluge of heavy salt spray over the island. Although there are previous reports of rough seas around Beauchêne Island, none has recorded relatively large numbers of adult birds dying as a consequence.  The storm of 13-14 December 2010 had a severe impact on the breeding success of seabirds at a number of other islands in the South Atlantic.  At Steeple Jason Island, the storm also resulted in the death of adult birds, although in fewer numbers than were observed on Beauchêne Island. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species) to access the ACAP Species Assessment for the Black-browed Albatross. With thanks to Anton Wolfaardt for photographs and information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 9 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-qperfect-stormq-kills-hundreds-of-breeding-black-browed-albatrosses.md) ## New Marine Protected Areas south of New Zealand should help protect albatrosses and petrels Three marine reserves totalling 435 163 ha are to be established around New Zealand's [southern islands](http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/land-and-freshwater/offshore-islands/new-zealands-subantarctic-islands/), according to the New Zealand Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson and Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley. The Ministers' decision will see a marine reserve cover the entire territorial sea (out to 12 nautical miles) around Antipodes Island, with two further marine reserves around the Bounty Islands and Campbell Island, covering 58% and 39% of those islands' territorial waters, respectively. New prohibitions on fishing (Danish seining) will be introduced in the remaining territorial waters around the island groups, ensuring the entire area of 688 548 ha achieves Marine Protected Area status.  Long-lining for Ling *Genypterus blacodes* in some areas around the Bounty Islands will continue to be allowed as this method is targeted and has a limited by-catch. New Zealand's southern islands of the Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell and Snares collectively are a [World Heritage Site](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/877) and support large numbers of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels, including some species (such as the [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30007) Campbell Albatross *Thalassarche impavida*) which are endemic to the region. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Campbell/Campbell Albatross flying by Aleks Terauds.jpg "The Campbell Albatross will now have an MPA to fly within. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") A [marine reserve](http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/marine-reserves-a-z/auckland-islands/find-out-more/) already exists around the Auckland Island Group . When promulgated, the new Marine Protected Areas will boost the area of New Zealand's 12-nm territorial waters that are protected to over 10%.  [Click here](http://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/SubantMPA_Media.pdf) for a map of the proposed new MPAs. [Click here ](http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/news/media-releases/subantarctic-islands-to-become-marine-reserves/)to read more about New Zealand's new sub-Antarctic MPAs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 10 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/new-marine-protected-areas-south-of-new-zealand-should-help-protect-albatrosses-and-petrels.md) ## The Royal Albatrosses at Taiaroa Head are doing well, with help from another female-female pair The mainland colony of Northern Royal Albatrosses *Diomedea sanfordi* at Taiaroa Head, near Dunedin in New Zealand, is one of the few albatross breeding localities accessible to the general public without the need to take an expensive sea cruise into the Southern Ocean. This breeding season things are going well so far with 23 of the 24 eggs laid hatching and seven pairs breeding for the first time.  One of the new pairs is made up of two females (the fourth in the colony's recorded history) and their egg (fertilized by a male who "didn't stay around") has hatched.  In the previous season a different female-female pair also hatched an egg. "If we are lucky enough to get all 24 through to fledgling time, it'll be the second highest that we've had," reports New Zealand Department of Conservation Officer Lyndon Perriman. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/N/Northern_Royal/Northern_Royal_Albatross_500th_chick_by_Lyndon_Perriman.jpg "Northern Royal Albatross and chick at Taiaroa Head. Photograph by Lyndon Perriman ") For more information on this season's breeding at Taiaroa Head visit: [http://www.albatross.org.nz/news.html](http://www.albatross.org.nz/news.html) and [http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/147084/female-pairing-raising-chick](http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/147084/female-pairing-raising-chick). Female-female pairings have been recorded in other species of albatrosses, including recently in the Short-tailed *Phoebastria albatrus* of the North Pacific ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/component/option,com_search/ordering,/searchphrase,all/searchword,Female-female/)). Information on how to visit Taiaroa Head and view its albatrosses may be found at the Royal Albatross Centre's [web site](http://www.albatross.org.nz/). With thanks to Graham Parker for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-royal-albatrosses-at-taiaroa-head-are-doing-well-with-help-from-another-female-female-pair.md) ## First bird back! Good news from the Short-tailed Albatross Translocation Project on Japan's Mukojima Island Two significant events have taken place on Japan's Mukojima Island in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands this month where attempts are being made to start a new breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* by translocating chicks from Toroshima. On 8 February 15 chicks were moved to Mukojima and established on their artificial nests.  This is the fourth year such a translocation has taken place, bringing the total number of chicks moved to 55.  The chicks are fed by hand at their nest sites until they fledge. The translocations began in 2008, as a cooperative project involving the [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/toppage.html) in Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Environment and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Even more exciting is that the first fledged bird (Red Y01, from the original 2008 cohort), thought to be a male, returned on 10 February to the translocation colony where it has been seen and photographed interacting with the 2011 chicks and with the decoy models.  The bird fledged on 20 May 2008, so it has returned in less than three years to Mukojima. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_y01_mukojima_tomohiro_deguchi.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/short-tailed_albatross_y01_mukojima_2_tomohiro_deguchi.jpg "Red Y01: the first Short-tailed Albatross returns to Mukojima. Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi ") With this development (and the successful hatching of a STAL egg on the USA's Midway Island, the first ever; [click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/a-real-american-chick-the-midway-short-tailed-albatrosses-hatch-their-egg) for story) the future for this once abundant but now rare North Pacific albatross seems a lot brighter. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/component/option,com_search/ordering,/searchphrase,all/searchword,Mukojima/) to access previous ACAP stories on the translocation project.  See also [http://sciencelinks.jp/content/view/715/241/](http://sciencelinks.jp/content/view/715/241/). With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi and Ozaki Kiyoaki for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 12 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/first-bird-back-good-news-from-the-short-tailed-albatross-translocation-project-on-japans-mukojima-island.md) ## Short-tailed Albatross population on Torishima continues to grow News is available on the size of the 2010/11 breeding population of [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3956) Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* on Japan's [Torishima Island](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torishima_(Izu_Islands)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short-tailed_Albatrosses_by_Hiroshi_Hasegawa1.jpg "Short-tailed Albatross. Photograph by Hiroshi Hasegawa") In December 2010 Hiroshi Hasegawa of the [Biology Department, Toho University](http://www.toho-u.ac.jp/english/undergraduateschool/sci/sci_cur/cur_bio.html) counted 481 breeding pairs, up by 35 from the previous season's count of 446. Of this total, 79 pairs were counted breeding at the less exposed site on the island where models have been used to attract birds.  The previous season there were 57 breeding pairs at this locality.  The main colony is on a steep slope made of volcanic sand at risk to landslides and erosion. Information in this news item has been taken from the National Audubon Society's [Project Puffin Seabird Restoration Program](http://www.projectpuffin.org/) ([click here](http://www.projectpuffin.org/nsarchive/ERUsrpUpdates2010b.html)). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-bird-back-good-news-from-the-short-tailed-albatross-translocation-project-on-japans-mukojima-island ) to access other recent news on the improving fortunes of the Short-tailed Albatross at Japan's Mukojima and the USA's Midway Islands. For more information on the population trends of Torishima's STALs consult the [ACAP Species Assessment](https://www.acap.aq/acap-species). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/short-tailed-albatross-population-on-torishima-continues-to-grow.md) ## The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission works towards revising its seabird bycatch resolution The report of the 13th Meeting of the Scientific Committee (SC) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission ([IOTC](http://www.iotc.org)) is now available [online](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2010/sc/IOTC-2010-SC-R[E].pdf). The meeting, held in Victoria, Seychelles over 6-10 December 2010, *inter alia* considered whether and how to amend IOTC [Resolution 10/06](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/misc/ComReportsTexts/resolutions_E.pdf) on **Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries**. Although in the event Resolution 10/06, adopted at the [14th Session](http://www.iotc.org/files/proceedings/2010/s/IOTC-2010-S14-R[E]_rev1.pdf) of the Commission of the IOTC held in Korea in March 1010 was not revised at the meeting, it was agreed that a major revision should follow an assessment of seabird bycatch within the IOTC region.  Such a revision might include the removal of the use of line shooters and offal management from the list of seabird mitigation measures listed in the Resolution. The relevant text from the SC report follows: "No assessment has been undertaken by the IOTC WPEB [Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch] for seabirds due to the lack of data from CPCs [Parties to the Commission]. The SC noted the current IUCN threat status for each of the seabird species reported as caught in IOTC longline fisheries to date. Resolution 10/06 *on reducing the incidental bycatch of seabirds in longline fisheries*includes an evaluation requirement by the Scientific Committee in time for the 2011 meeting of the Commission.  However, given the lack of reporting of seabird interactions by CPCs to date, such an evaluation cannot be undertaken at this stage. The SC recommended that mechanisms are developed by the Commission to encourage CPCs to comply with their reporting requirement on seabirds. The SC recommended that a major revision of the Resolution 10/06 *on reducing the incidental bycatch of seabirds in longline fisheries*should be considered, in the near future, once its impact is examined.  Such revision may include the removal of the use of line shooters and offal management from the list of seabird mitigation measures." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Fact_Sheet_08_Fig1.jpg) Follow earlier ACAP news items on progress with the IOTC's seabird bycatch resoluion backwards from  [http://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/indian-ocean-tuna-commissions-scientific-committee-to-discuss-seabird-mortality-this-week](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/indian-ocean-tuna-commissions-scientific-committee-to-discuss-seabird-mortality-this-week). With thanks to Ross Wanless for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 14 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-indian-ocean-tuna-commission-works-towards-revising-its-seabird-bycatch-resolution.md) ## How many White-chinned and Spectacled Petrels are out there? "30 000 holes on Marion Island" Researchers at the University of Cape Town's Percy FitzPatrick Institute have reported on the populations of White-chinned Petrels *Procellaria aequinoctialis* at Marion Island in the southern Indian Ocean and of Spectacled Petrels *P. conspicillata* on Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic in South Africa's popular ornithological magazine *[Africa Birds & Birding](http://www.africageographic.com/magazines/birds-and-birding/)*. Ben Dilly, Genevieve Jones and Peter Ryan counted 30 000 White-chin burrows on Marion Island in South Africa's Prince Edward Island Group in 2009 over a two-week period: the first survey of the numbers of any burrowing petrel at the island. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/white-chinned petrel_by_Ben Palan.jpg "White-chinned Petrel. Photograph by Ben Palan") With previously published numbers of White-chinned Petrels for other southern islands in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, progress is being made to assess the global population - against which losses to longlines may be measured. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/Spectacled/spectacled_petrel_inaccessible_island_by_peter_ryan.jpg "Spectacled Petrel. Photograph by Peter Ryan") Inaccessible's Spectacled Petrels, endemic to the island, appear to be doing better than the much more abundant and wide-spread White-chins.  A survey in 2009 by Peter Ryan and Ron Ronconi revealed a 40% increase since the previous one conducted in 2004, which itself showed a 7% annual increase since the original 1999 survey. **Reference:** Percy FitzPatrick Institute 2011.  30000 holes on Marion Island.  [*Africa Birds & Birding* 16(1): 22](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/africa_birds/fitzfm11.pdf).  *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 15 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/how-many-white-chinned-and-spectacled-petrels-are-out-there-q30-000-holes-on-marion-islandq.md) ## The Ka'ena Point Laysan Albatrosses are doing well as their predator-proof fence approaches completion It is that time of year again: when small balls of fluff start appearing all over the Hawaiian Islands as Laysan *Phoebastria immutabilis* and Black-footed *P. nigripes* Albatross chicks begin hatching. At [Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaena_Point), an hour outside of urban Honolulu on Oahu, one of the USA's Hawaiian Islands, 57 Laysan Albatross eggs were laid this breeding season.  Although this is the same number as in the previous season, this year has seen an increase in hatching success with 34 chicks hatching (60%).  This represents an increase from the 28 hatchlings in 2010, and is a record high for the colony. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_kaena_point_1__lindsay_young.jpg "Colour-banded Laysan Albatrosses at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/laysan_albatross_kaena_point_2__lindsay_young.jpg "Laysan Albatross pair with chick, Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") The predator-proof fence is in the final construction phases to protect the colony and it is possible that the fence is already having an effect by lowering the predation rate (even though predator control has not yet begun) by preventing the continual immigration of predators into the colony.  The fence is scheduled to be completed next month with predator removal following immediately thereafter. It is hoped that the record-setting trend will continue by having a higher fledging rate and thus overall breeding success following the removal of predators. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/kaena_point_fence_lindsay_young.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Islands/kaena_point_fence_2_lindsay_young.jpg "The Ka'eana Point fence starts to go up. Photographs by Lindsay Young") [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/predator-proof-fence-to-protect-the-laysan-albatross-colony-at-hawaiis-kaena-point-begins-construction) to access earlier ACAP news items on the Ka'ena Point albatrosses and the predator-proof fence. For more information, visit the Ka'ena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project at [www.restorekaena.org](http://www.restorekaena.org/) and [click here](http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Oahu/2000s/2009-06-23-OA-FEA-Kaena-Point-Ecosystem-Restoration.pdf)for the project's Final Environmental Assessment.  Read one person's account of a recent visit to Ka'ena Point at [http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/hawaii/2011/blog/day-2-kaena-point-albatross-monk-seals-and-whales..oh-my](http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/hawaii/2011/blog/day-2-kaena-point-albatross-monk-seals-and-whales..oh-my) *Lindsay Young, ACAP North American News Correspondent, 16 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-kaena-point-laysan-albatrosses-are-doing-well-as-their-predator-fence-approaches-completion.md) ## News from Midway: watch America's first ever Short-tailed Albatross chick get fed [Click here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/) to view the latest pictures of the first Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* chick on USA soil: on Eastern Island, in the [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/), part of the [Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument](http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Chain, including a video of it being fed on 29 January. [![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_midway_female_sarah_gutowsky.jpg "Eastern Island's Short-tailed Albatross between two decoys. Photograph by Sarah Gutowsky ")](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/)[http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157625522391142/) For a student's report of a visit to the STAL nest site on Eastern Island last month [click here](http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/hawaii/2011/blog/day-seven-midway-is-for-the-birds). Access earlier ACAP [news items](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/a-real-american-chick-the-midway-short-tailed-albatrosses-hatch-their-egg) on Midway's STALs. With thanks to Lindsay Young for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/news-from-midway-watch-americas-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-get-fed.md) ## South Atlantic island rat eradication gets underway The latest newsletter of the South Georgia* Habitat Restoration Project ([No. 4, February 2011](http://www.sght.org/documents/HRnewsletterFeb11.pdf)) gives the news that the two poison bait-dropping helicopters required for Phase One of the project arrived on the South Atlantic island this month on the tourist ship *Marina Svetaeva*. Final preparations for the commencement of bait spreading to eradicate Norway Rats *Rattus norvegicus* have now begun.  Priorities are to ready the helicopters for the work, check the whereabouts of every piece of equipment, ensure all staff are properly briefed and trained, and place and secure the VHF repeater station.  By month-end all members of the eradication team should have reached the island, along with the poison bait and the rest of the equipment. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/W/White_chinned/White_chinned_Petrel_by_Ben Phalan.jpg "White-chinned Petrels should benefit from eradication of rats. Photograph by Ben Phalan") [Click here](http://www.sght.org/projects.htm) for more information on the project and to access its earlier newsletters and the operational plan. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/south-atlantic-rodent-eradication-set-to-get-started-this-month) to read an earlier ACAP news item about this project. To read about another ongoing eradication effort on a Southern Ocean island, visit the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 February 2011* *A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas. [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/south-atlantic-island-rat-eradication-gets-underway.md) ## A timely opportunity: save an albatross (and a petrel) with a Rolex Award? Since their initiation in 1976, the [Rolex Awards for Enterprise](http://www.rolexawards.com/en/index.jsp?cmpid=dw20101964) have supported more than 30 environmental projects impacting over 60 species of rare and endangered plants and animals. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise recognize pioneers whose work contributes broadly to the betterment of humankind and the natural environment; and Rolex provides selected individuals with US$100 000 towards their projects, a Rolex chronometer, and the benefits of international publicity.  Rolex has launched its latest edition of the awards with a worldwide call for entries. Prospective entrants can apply to the 2012 Rolex Awards through its [website](http://extranet.rolexawards.com/). The deadline for pre-applications is 31 May 2011. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_by_Ross_Wanless_and_Andrea_Angel.jpg "A male Tristan Albatross with its chick on Gough Island. Photograph by Andrea Angel/Ross Wanless") *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-timely-opportunity-save-an-albatross-and-a-petrel-with-a-rolex-award.md) ## The Pacific Seabird Group's next Annual Meeting is to be held in Hawai'i in 2012 North Pacific albatrosses have been in the news of late, especially the Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus*, with the [first American chick](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/news-from-midway-watch-americas-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-get-fed) doing well on Midway and the first [translocated fledgling](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-bird-back-good-news-from-the-short-tailed-albatross-translocation-project-on-japans-mukojima-island) returning to Mukojima Island. The [Pacific Seabird Group](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/) will hold its 38th Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawai'i, planned for February 2012.  Attendees at the PSG meeting should have the opportunity to see some North Pacific albatrosses up close for themselves, as Laysan Albatrosses *P. immutabilis* breed on Oahu in the [Ka'ena Point Natural Area Refuge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilauea_Point_National_Wildlife_Refuge), a site open to the public, and which is currently being protected by a [predator-proof fence](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/the-kaena-point-laysan-albatrosses-are-doing-well-as-their-predator-fence-approaches-completion). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Laysan_Albatross_Kaena_Point_by_Lindsay_Young.jpg "Laysan Albatross and chick at Ka'ena Point. Photograph by Lindsay Young") Breeding Laysan Albatrosses can also be viewed at the [Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint/) on the nearby Hawaiian island of Kauai. The deadline for submitting suggested topics for a special paper session or a symposium (to Kim Rivera at [Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov](mailto:Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov)) for the 2012 PSG meeting is 15 May 2011 ([click here](http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/publications/SymposiaGuidelinesVer1.pdf) to access the guidelines). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 20 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-pacific-seabird-groups-next-annual-meeting-is-to-be-held-in-hawaii-in-2012.md) ## Announcement of opportunity - SCAR Antarctic Science and COMNAP Antarctic Research Fellowships Two leading Antarctic organisations have announced recently opportunities for early career researchers.  The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research ([SCAR](http://www.scar.org)) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs ([COMNAP](https://www.comnap.aq/)) are working together to attract talented researchers, engineers and other professionals to strengthen international capacity and cooperation. The Fellowships are worth up to $US15 000 each and up to five (four SCAR and one COMNAP Fellowships) are on offer for 2011.  SCAR has been offering scientific fellowships to early career scientists since 2005.  Such fellowships have enabled Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientists to participate in a range of significant research. Since 2005, 25 SCAR Fellowships have been awarded.  Up to four awards are being offered by SCAR in this round.  This year COMNAP has joined in to offer one to two additional fellowship opportunities for early career researchers.  The two schemes are being jointly promoted by both organisations. The fellowships support the scientific goals of SCAR and the international cooperation goal of COMNAP to develop and promote best practice in managing the support to Antarctic science.  The fellowships enable early career researchers to join a project team from another country, opening up new opportunities and often creating research partnerships that last many years and over many Antarctic research seasons.  If successful, it is envisioned that COMNAP will continue to be able to provide Fellowships in future years along with the SCAR Fellowships. The SCAR "Area of Interest" includes the sub-Antarctic islands where many of the ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels breed as well as the Southern Ocean where they forage. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/Wandering_Albatross_by_Warwick_Barnes.jpg "A Wandering Albatross flies over the Southern Ocean. Photograph by Warwick Barnes") The deadline for applications is 15 May 2011. Go to [SCAR](http://www.scar.org/awards/fellowships/applicationdetails.html) or [COMNAP](https://www.comnap.aq/2011fellowships) for more details and for application packs. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 21 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/announcement-of-opportunity-scar-antarctic-science-and-comnap-antarctic-research-fellowships.md) ## Marion Island's Wandering Albatrosses: 2011 whole-island count successfully completed The 2011 census of incubating Wandering Albatrosses *Diomedea exulans* on South Africa's Marion Island was successfully completed over the period 24 January to 18 February, continuing a series of whole-island counts that begun on annual basis in the mid 1980s. Counts this year were undertaken by the all-woman team of Mia Cerfonteyn, Linda Clokie and Yolokasi Galada, working for a project jointly managed by the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town and Branch Oceans & Coasts of the Department of Environmental Affairs. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatross_and_mia _cerfonteyn.jpg "Mia Cerfonteyn restrains a Wanderer on Marion Island for banding purposes") A total of 1711 incubating birds was counted in the 23 standard count areas, a figure similar to recent counts but somewhat more than in earlier years (Ryan *et al*. 2009).  The Wanderers of Marion represent about 20% of the species' global population.  Nearby Prince Edward Island, although a smaller island, supports similar numbers, so the island group is home to about 40% of the total population. During the census three birds bearing French bands were found.  French-banded Wanderers come from the Crozet Islands, a thousand kilometres to the east.  Movements of Wandering Albatrosses between the two island groups have been regularly reported in small numbers, with a total of 57 individual birds recorded up to 2003 (Cooper & Weimerskirch 2003).  Nineteen of these birds were banded as fledglings on one island group and had been found breeding on the other, representing a genuine exchange; nearly all (18) of these exchange birds had moved to the west from the Crozets to the Prince Edwards. In three of the count areas, breeding birds are followed more intensively throughout the season, with their nests staked and metal and colour bands used to identify partners.  This year 257 occupied nests (15% of the island's total count) are being followed in a long-term demographic study that also dates back to the 1980s. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/W/Wandering/wandering_albatrosses_marion_cobus_cronje.jpg "Courting Wandering Albatrosses on Marion Island. Photograph by Cobus Cronje") **References:** Ryan, P.G., Jones, M.G.W., Dyer, B.M., Upfold, L. & Crawford, R.J.M. 2009.  Recent population estimates and trends in numbers of albatrosses and giant petrels breeding at the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.* [African Journal of Marine Science](http://www.nisc.co.za/oneAbstract?absId=3305)*[31: 409-471](http://www.nisc.co.za/oneAbstract?absId=3305). Cooper, J. & Weimerskirch, H. 2005.  Exchange of the Wandering Albatross *Diomedea exulans* between the Prince Edward and Crozet Islands: implications for conservation.  [*African Journal of Marine Science* 25: 519-523](http://www.nisc.co.za/oneAbstract?absId=1022). With thanks to Mia Cerfonteyn for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/marion-islands-wandering-albatrosses-2011-whole-island-count-successfully-completed.md) ## Do Black-browed and Campbell Albatrosses prefer to forage in coastal waters? Ewan Wakefield of the United Kingdom's [British Antarctic Survey](http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/ ) and colleagues from four other countries writing in the journal *[Ecological Monographs](http://www.esajournals.org/loi/emon)* have looked into the at-sea habitat preferences of the closely related Black-browed and Campbell Albatrosses. The paper's abstract follows: "Telemetry methods and remote sensing now make it possible to record the spatial usage of wide-ranging marine animals and the biophysical characteristics of their pelagic habitats.  Furthermore, recent statistical advances mean such data can be used to test ecological hypotheses and estimate species' distributions.  Black-browed albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophrys* *[sic]* are highly mobile marine predators with a circumpolar breeding and foraging distribution in the southern hemisphere.  Although they remain relatively abundant, increased fisheries bycatch has led to their listing as endangered by conservation bodies.  We satellite-tracked 163 breeding black-browed albatrosses and eight closely-related Campbell albatrosses *T. impavida* from nine colonies.  We then quantified habitat usage, and modeled population-level spatial distribution at spatiotemporal scales >50 km and 1 month, as a function of habitat accessibility, habitat preference and intra-specific competition, using mixed-effects Generalized Additive Models.  During incubation, birds foraged over a wider area than in the post-brood chick-rearing period, when they are more time-constrained.  Throughout breeding, the order of habitat preference of black-browed albatrosses was for neritic (0-500 m), shelf-break and upper shelf-slope (500 - 1000 m), and then oceanic (>1000 m) waters.  Black-browed albatrosses also preferred areas with steeper (>3{degree sign}) bathymetric relief and in addition, during incubation, warmer sea surface temperatures (peak preference ~16{degree sign}).  Although this suggests specialization in neritic habitats, incubation stage black-browed albatrosses from South Georgia also foraged extensively in oceanic waters, preferring areas with high Eddy Kinetic Energy (>250 cm2/s2), especially the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence, a region of intense mesoscale turbulence.  During chick-rearing this species, had a more southerly distribution, and following the seasonal retreat of sea ice birds from some populations utilized neritic polar waters.  Campbell albatrosses showed similar bathymetric preferences but also preferred positive sea level anomalies.  Black-browed albatross foraging areas were partially spatially segregated with respect to colony and region, with birds preferring locations distant from neighboring colonies, presumably in order to reduce competition between parapatric conspecifics.  At the global scale, the greatest concentrations of breeding black-browed albatrosses are in southern South American neritic, shelf-break and shelf-slope waters.  These regions also hold large fisheries and should therefore be a priority for introduction of bycatch mitigation measures." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/C/Campbell/Campbell Albatross flying by Aleks Terauds.jpg "Campbell Albatross. Photograph by Aleks Terauds") **Reference:** Wakefield, E., Phillips, R., Trathan, P., Arata, J., Gales, R., Huin, N., Robertson, G., Waugh, S., Weimerskirch, H. & Matthiopoulos, J. In press.  Habitat preference, accessibility and competition limit the global distribution of breeding black-browed albatrosses.  [*Ecological Monographs*  [doi:10.1890/09-0763.1].](http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/09-0763.1) *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/do-black-browed-and-campbell-albatrosses-prefer-to-forage-in-coastal-waters.md) ## The first rabbit at Macquarie Island succumbs to Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease The Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project ([MIPEP](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=13013)) aims to reduce the numbers of introduced European Rabbits on the island before this year's poison bait drop so there will be fewer poisoned corpses for scavenging seabirds to feed from come May.  Last year's aborted bait drop resulted in large numbers of ACAP-listed Northern Giant Petrels *Macronectes halli* dying from secondary poisoning after scavenging on rabbit corpses ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/male-northern-giant-petrels-are-at-risk-from-secondary-poisoning-on-macquarie-island)). ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/N/Northern_Giant/Northern_Giant_Petrel_by_Marienne_de_Villiers.jpg "Northern Giant Petrel. Photograph by Marienne de Villiers") The aim is to avoid as much as possible this happening again, both by introducing Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus via carrots to reduce the numbers of rabbits in advance and later during and after the bait drop by collecting as many poisoned carcasses as possible. The latest *‘This week at Macquarie Island'* ([click here](http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/page?id=35602&st=Macquarie&dt=MjAxMS0wMi0xOA==)) carries a picture of the first rabbit mortality from the virus. "This preliminary bio-control step is aimed at reducing rabbit numbers as much as possible prior to the helicopter bait laying programme, to commence in May.  We are doing this by distributing virus-laden grated carrot at selected high density sites, together with night catching (using spotlights to directly inject the virus) before release." The Macquarie weekly news also reports that the Commonwealth Government has given approval for the MIPEP operation to take place this winter through the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act process ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/macquarie-island-pest-eradication-project-only-a-week-left-to-comment-on-the-proposal-for-2011) to access the review process and [here](https://www.acap.aq/2010-news-archive/eradication-of-rabbits-and-rodents-will-continue-at-macquarie-island-in-2011) to read its conclusion). *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 24 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-first-rabbit-at-macquarie-island-succumbs-to-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease.md) ## Demographic study of Tristan Albatrosses on Gough Island goes into its fifth year In 2007 I initiated a demographic study of the [Critically Endangered](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30013) Tristan Albatross *Diomedea dabbenena* on Gough Island in the South Atlantic.  In three chosen areas (Gonydale, the Hummocks and Tafelkop) all the occupied nests were staked during incubation in January-February and the birds were metal- and colour-banded as well as being measured and photographed for sexing purposes.  Up to five repeat visits to each study area were needed to record all the partners. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_ Yellow A43_by_Marienne_de_Villiers.jpg "Colour-banded Tristan Albatross on Gough Island. Photograph by Marienne de Villiers") Later in the year the chicks were banded and breeding success (lamentably very low due to attacks on unguarded chicks in winter months by introduced House Mice *Mus musculus*) was calculated.  I repeated the study in 2008 but from 2009 the project has been managed jointly by the Percy FitzPatrick Institute at the University of Cape Town and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the United Kingdom.  Each year since 2009 two RSPB field assistants have been placed on the island and their work has included regular visits to the albatross study sites in the island's mountainous interior. In January field assistants Ross Cowlin and Nic le Maitre with help from meteorologist Prince Mlongwana commenced year five of the study.  From this month Nic, with occasional support from members of the South African weather station on the island, is continuing the study solo: a tricky task given the terrain, the weather and the difficulty of banding and measuring such large birds on one's own. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/tristan_albatross_banding__prince_mlongwana.jpg "Nic and Ross process a Tristan Albatross in the demographic study site. Photograph by Prince Mlongwana") So far a total of 211 nests has been staked out and the incubating birds checked, and banded if necessary.  Repeated return visits at 4-6-day intervals are now required to record all the mates, with one quarter of them recorded at the time of writing. The study is supported financially by the UK's Overseas Territories Environment Programme and logistically by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs.  Ornithological research on Gough Island is conducted with the approval of the Tristan Conservation Department.  In the past the Tristan Albatross demographic study has also been supported financially by the Albatross and Petrel Agreement, Birds Australia and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. With thanks to Nic Le Maitre for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/demographic-study-of-tristan-albatrosses-on-gough-island-goes-into-its-fifth-year.md) ## The Christchurch earthquake In November 2006 Christchurch in New Zealand's South Island welcomed delegates to the Second Meeting of Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.  A most successful meeting was held, supported by the friendly hosts and excellent facilities of the city. The ACAP Secretariat wishes to extend its sympathies to its New Zealand colleagues, especially those that reside in Christchurch, and to all the people of that city and of New Zealand affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with you. *Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary and the Secretariat staff, 26 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-christchurch-earthquake.md) ## A second translocated Short-tailed Albatross visits Mukojima Island Following the visit of Red Y01, the first Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* to return to Japan's Mukojima Island after translocation as a chick from Torishima Island in 2008 ([click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/first-bird-back-good-news-from-the-short-tailed-albatross-translocation-project-on-japans-mukojima-island)), a second translocated bird has now visited the artificial colony, where it was photographed by Tomohiro Deguchi on 24 February. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_y04_2_mukojima.jpg "Red Y04 displays his colour band on Mukojima. Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi") Red Y04, identified after translocation as a male from a blood sample to assess its physiological condition, was photographed ashore on Mukojima interacting with the 2011 translocated chicks.  One of these newly translocated chicks exhibited begging behaviour to Y04. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_y04_mukojima.jpg "Red Y04 investigates a translocated chick on Mukojima. Photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi") Like Red Y01, this new bird is also from the original 2008 cohort of 10 chicks moved between the two islands. Adding to the story is that Red Y04 has been reported previously by Fumio Sato as visiting Torishima, spending the period 8-14 and 22 February ashore in the recently-established Hatsune-zaki colony.  Time will tell on which island, and in which colony it eventually settles down to breed, although it is the hope it will be on Mukojima. The translocation project is a cooperative one involving the [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/toppage.html) in Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Environment and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 27 February 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/a-second-translocated-short-tailed-albatross-visits-mukojima-island.md) ## The Short-tailed Albatrosses of Midway: America's favourite chick survives a storm The following dramatic story of survival of the USA's first-ever Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus* chick comes from John Klavitter, writing from the [Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/midway/), part of the [Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nationa](http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html)l Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Chain. "Gale force winds, rain, thunder, and lightning rocked Midway Atoll on Friday night, 11 February, leading to moderate damage and loss of wildlife.  Fortunately, no island residents or visitors were hurt and no major infrastructure was damaged. For at least an hour, winds were sustained at 60 mph and gusted to 74 mph causing the following impacts: approximately 40 Ironwood trees were toppled; an estimated 100 adult Laysan Albatross and several thousand young chicks and 25 Bonin Petrels were killed by downed trees and flooding; and the Short-tailed Albatross (STAL) nest on Eastern Island was washed over. Staff and volunteers checked the STAL nest the next afternoon and observed the male on the nest, but storm surge the night before had washed over the nest and the chick was not initially observed.  After several minutes of searching, the chick was found about 25 m away, apparently washed out of the nest cup by the surf.  Fortunately, the chick appeared to be in good health and was returned back to the nest cup by refuge staff.  The adult male initially moved a few feet from the nest when the chick was placed in the cup, but returned to the nest about 45 minutes later. Although no feedings have been observed, we are confident that both parents continue feeding the chick since it has increased in size since 12 February and remains healthy.  At present the chick is no longer being brooded by the parents and is approximately 50% larger than the largest Black-footed Albatross chicks.  Unfortunately, our remote camera that was monitoring the chick is not operational at this time (we are waiting for a replacement modem). The size of the STAL chick and its return to its nest cup most likely allowed it to survive the waves that washed over its nest on 11 February.  Unfortunately, nearly all Black-footed and Laysan Albatross chicks (thousands) within 60 m of the ocean on the eastern side of Eastern Island were dead by 14 February from the storm surge or from not being fed by parents (since the chicks were displaced from their nest cups)." ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_chick_john_klavitter.jpg "Midway's Short-tailed Albatross safely back in its nest - post storm. Photograph by John Klavitter") For more pictures of the STAL breeding attempt on Midway [click here](http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/5471086329/in/set-72157625522391142/). [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/news-from-midway-watch-americas-first-ever-short-tailed-albatross-chick-get-fed) to access earlier ACAP news stories on the STALs of Midway. Carl Safina in his 2002 book ‘*Eye of the Albatross. Visions of Hope and Survival'* (pp. 66-68) writes of high seas flooding Tern Island (also a US island within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument) following heavy rain, resulting in the deaths of many albatross chicks. [Click here](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/a-qperfect-stormq-kills-hundreds-of-breeding-black-browed-albatrosses) to read about Black-browed Albatrosses *Thalassarche melanophris* succumbing to a major storm in the South Atlantic. With thanks to Lindsay Young, ACAP North Pacific News Correspondent, for information. *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 28 February 2011*   [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/the-short-tailed-albatrosses-of-midway-americas-favourite-chick-survives-a-storm.md) ## IslandNet Newsletter No. 6 reports on island alien eradications The *IslandNet Newsletter* is published electronically by the [Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre](http://www.invasiveanimals.com/), Australia's largest integrated invasive animal research programme. [Newsletter No. 6](http://www.feral.org.au/islandnet/newsletter/) of February 2011 reports on latest developments with the [Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project](http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=13013) (poison baiting this year is to start in April). Research towards removing introduced rodents from Muttonbird Island in New South Wales, home to Wedge-tailed Shearwaters *Puffinus pacificus* (a potential ACAP species), without harming an indigenous rat is reviewed. Other stories give news of rodent eradications undertaken on or planned for seabird islands as far afield as Alaska (USA), Antigua, Mexico, New Zealand, the Seychelles and the United Kingdom's [Henderson Island](http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-241934) in the South Pacific. ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/T/Tristan/Tristan_Albatross_wounded_Rob_Ronconi_by_Peter_Ryan.jpg "Attacked by mice! This Tristan Albatross chick did not survive. Photograph by Peter Ryan") "The Invasive Animals CRC concentrates on developing smarter tools to prevent and detect new invasions, advanced and tactical tools to strengthen integrated management strategies of carp and other pest fish, and new tools and integrated management strategies for major pests including foxes, wild dogs, feral pigs, rats and mice, cane toads, feral cats and rabbits." *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 1 March 2011* [Lees meer...](https://www.acap.aq/2011-news-archive/islandnet-newsletter-no-6-reports-on-island-alien-eradications.md)