MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Urgent Steps required to halt Falkland seabird declines

In the space of three years, 44,000 breeding pairs of albatross and 69,000 breeding pairs of penguins have vanished from one of the worlds' most important breeding sites.

New research by Falklands Conservation1 on Steeple Jason2 in November 2003 has shown disturbing decreases in the populations of both Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins. There is now an urgent need to implement efforts to save these seabird populations.

The Falklands is the stronghold of the Black-browed Albatross, with over 70% of the global population breeding in the Islands. There are clearly major implications for the rest of the Falklands population, which at this stage remains uncounted since 2000. A reduction in numbers here will have a severe impact on its status and long-term survival worldwide. Ironically, these figures come to light as the John Ridgway ?Save the Albatross' voyage approaches the Falklands3, due to arrive in early March. Supported by BirdLife International, this voyage plans to highlight the plight of the worlds' albatross.

Over the last five years, Falklands Conservation have carried out extensive research into the Black-browed Albatross, investigating their foraging behaviour and at-sea interaction with fishing vessels, as well as conducting a complete census which resulted in the re-classification of the species as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2003. Between 1995 and 2000, over 87,500 breeding pairs were lost, a rate of 4% per year, or 2 albatross per hour. This recent decline suggests that efforts to conserve the albatross population need to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

The drop in albatross numbers is usually connected to fishing. Throughout the foraging grounds of the Black-browed Albatross, many thousands of adult birds are killed each year through interaction with both longline and trawl vessels4.. Whilst the bulk of the birds are most likely killed by illegal and unregulated fisheries, over 10,000 birds were killed by longline fisheries over a 3-year period along the Patagonian shelf. Even within Falkland waters themselves, trawl fisheries kill 1500 adult birds a season. However, recent harmful algal blooms within Falkland waters have been observed to have a dramatic effect on seabirds, with many hundreds of albatross being affected and killed during last summer. Dead birds were even reported from colony areas ? a rare occurrence under normal circumstances.

Even more dramatic is the decline in Rockhopper penguin numbers. From a population of 89,0005 breeding pairs in 2000, only 30,000 breeding pairs remain at the site. The species had been thought to be stable during the late 1990's, following a dramatic population crash in the mid-1980's, from which they have never fully recovered. This recent reduction is yet more evidence of a serious problem, not yet understood. As with the albatross, many hundreds of penguins were recently affected by algal poisoning around the Falklands, which may have been a contributory factor. Large scale changes in ocean currents and food availability may also be responsible for the decline in numbers. "This highlights the urgent need for in-depth long-term monitoring of this species' states Falklands Conservation senior scientist Nic Huin. ?Without detailed data on the survival rate of birds of all age classes, diet through the breeding season and foraging patterns of birds throughout the years, it remains impossible to determine the causes of such declines and to take measures to conserve the species".

This further decrease in numbers of birds, already endangered or vulnerable, is alarming. It is possible that time is running out for these birds unless concerted and committed steps are taken now. Falklands Conservation strongly urges the following action: The Falkland Island Government adopt and implement the National Plans of Action to Reduce Seabird Mortality6; The UK Government ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels without any further delay and work closely with the Falklands government to ensure the inclusion of the Falklands within it.

Note:

1. Falklands Conservation is a non-governmental organisation and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales number 3661322, registered charity number 1073859. FC is also an Associate Partner of BirdLife International. For further information contact Company Secretary Ann Brown in London, telephone +44 208 343 0831 or email ann@falklands-nature.demon.co.uk or Conservation Officer Becky Ingham in Stanley, telephone +500 22247 or email conservation@horizon.co.fk. Through the land-based Seabird Monitoring Programme, Falklands Conservation has been studying annual changes at key seabird sites since 1986. This has highlighted problems and the need for in-depth studies to find solutions to the seabird declines.

2. Steeple Jason Island holds the worlds' largest breeding colony of Black-browed Albatross (listed as Endangered by BirdLife International) and the second largest colony of Rockhopper Penguins (listed as Vulnerable). Located to the north west of the Falklands archipelago, the island is owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York. Gifted to the organisation three years ago by philanthropist Michael Steinhardt, the island is a key breeding site for many seabirds.

3. The Save the Albatross Voyage has been undertaken by sailors John and Marie-Christine Ridgway in association with BirdLife International to raise awareness and highlight the threats to albatross around the world from illegal fishing. For further details see the website http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A894594

4. Since 1998, Falklands Conservation have carried out extensive research into the Black-browed albatross, investigating their foraging behaviour and at-sea interactions with vessels, as well as conducting a complete census in 2000-2001 which resulted in the re-classification of the species as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2003. Between 1995 and 2000, over 87,500 pairs were lost, a rate of 4% per year, or 2 birds every hour.

5. Methods used consist of estimating the breeding density of birds within the colonies (which were assumed not to have changed in size). For areas where no new data are available, the figures of the last census in 2000 were kept. Such estimates of decline as provided above are therefore thought to be conservative. Figures given are accurate to within ± 10%.

6. Through the FC Seabirds at Sea Team and funded by the RSPB (UK), National Plans of Action have been drawn up and are currently being considered by the fishing industry. These propose changes in practice and mitigation measures which would lessen the seabird death rate.

By Ann Brown UK & Company Secretary Falklands Conservation 1 Princes Avenue, Finchley, London N3 2DA. Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 208 343 0831