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| Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys, a previously abundant species, was identified as globally threatened in 2002. Research conducted by Falklands Conservation (BirdLife in the Falklands) and British Antarctic Survey revealed a dramatic decline in numbers breeding in the Falkland Islands, the global stronghold for this species. This catastrophic decline is almost certainly due to longlining. Photo credit: Tony Palliser. |
BirdLife International welcomes signing of global Albatross and Petrel agreement by Spain and South Africa
Cambridge, UK, 13th March 2002 - BirdLife International today welcomed news that Spain and South Africa have agreed to sign the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) [1,2, 3].
"BirdLife International has written to the Spanish and South African governments congratulating them on their decisions to sign the global Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)", said BirdLife Director and Chief Executive Dr Michael Rands.
"This is a positive step forward in moves to curb the global threat posed to albatrosses and petrels by longline fishing", said BirdLife's Save the Albatross Campaign Co-ordinator, Leon-David Viljoen.
Spain has one of the largest longline fishing fleets in the world but no breeding or wintering albatrosses. "SEO/BirdLife welcomes the commitment of the Spanish Government to contribute to seabird conservation in distant waters as well as its own", said Carles Carboneras, responsible for BirdLife's Save the Albatross Campaign in Spain and Latin America.
So far seven countries have signed ACAP - Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, New Zealand, Peru and the UK. Of these, Australia and New Zealand have ratified already; other countries, including Brazil, the UK and others in the EU and Latin America, are expected to do so soon, and it is hoped the Agreement will enter into force during 2002.
"Internationally, action is needed to reduce the threat of extinction for the 17 species of albatross that are in grave danger because of the large numbers being drowned on longlines. Most of these globally threatened albatrosses live in the Southern Ocean, including the majestic Wandering Albatross, said Dr Rands.
"Simple effective by-catch mitigation measures such as bird-scaring streamers are available but need to be more widely implemented", said Mr Viljoen.
"For the implementation of mitigation measures to be most effective, it is important for all countries holding the fate of these magnificent birds in their hands to join and implement the Agreement as soon as possible", said Dr Rands.
The Agreement, which includes an Action Plan, describes a number of conservation measures to be implemented by party states. These include research and monitoring, reduction of incidental mortality in fisheries, eradication at breeding sites of introduced species such as rats and feral cats, reduction of disturbance and habitat loss, and reduction of pollution.
It is fitting that South Africa is to sign ACAP because it hosted a meeting in Cape Town in January 2001 at which the text of the Agreement was finalised.
For further information please contact Michael Szabo at BirdLife International in Cambridge, UK, on +44 (0) 1223 277 318 or 07779 018332 (mobile), Carles Carboneras at SEO/BirdLife, Barcelona, Spain, on +34 93 289 22 84 or Leon-David Viljoen in Cape Town, South Africa, on + 27 21 855 5561.