Audubon's "Living Oceans Program" strongly supports 'Cape Town Agreement', calling it a vital step in the protection of threatened Albatross and Petrels
New York, NY February 14th, 2001 - the National Audubon Society's "Living Oceans Program" today praised the signing of a new international treaty, the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), which protects these highly threatened and rapidly declining pelagic seabirds. The treaty was finalized following a week-long meeting hosted by the South African Government in Cape Town, which included government representatives from albatross and petrel range states and nations with fishing fleets that interact with these highly threatened seabirds.
"We are driving the world's greatest flying creatures toward extinction not to feed humanity but to catch high-priced fish that few people can afford," said Dr. Carl Safina, Audubon's Vice President of Marine Conservation. "The planet itself cannot afford to see these birds vanish, and already-developed techniques must be used to eliminate the problem of albatross kills on longlines."
"Audubon's Living Oceans Program strongly supports this new agreement, legally binding under the Convention on Migratory Species," said Living Oceans Pacific Representative Eric Gilman. "ACAP promises to fill gaps in currently available conservation tools, addressing the urgent threats facing these magnificent, beleaguered birds. It's an agreement that holistically approaches albatross and petrel conservation."
Albatrosses are the most imperiled of all the world's seabirds. Scientists fear that 26 species of albatross and petrel may soon become extinct unless firm steps are taken to reverse the destructive effects of uncontrolled longline fishing, pollution, habitat degradation, human disturbance of breeding sites, and introduced diseases and predators. Of the 24 species of albatross, 21 species have declining populations, or have populations of unknown status. About 50 percent of albatross populations contain fewer than 100 breeding pairs, making the birds extremely susceptible to random events or even low levels of mortality.
Despite the existence of cost-effective mitigation techniques, the incidental mortality of seabirds in longline fisheries is considered the most critical threat facing albatrosses and petrels. This has contributed to the decline of several Southern Hemisphere species, and it also threatens the Northern Hemisphere's three albatross species. "The agreement provides a comprehensive framework to identify actions needed to conserve Southern Hemisphere albatross and petrels, with an overall goal of restoring them to health," continued Safina. "It also has the capability of being expanded to address the conservation needs of northern albatross species, which are also at serious risk."
The agreement's action plan describes key conservation measures to be implemented by signatories to the proposed Agreement. These include conservation of critical marine habitat, research and monitoring, reduction of incidental mortality in fisheries, eradication of non-native predators at breeding sites, reduction of disturbance and habitat loss, and reducing pollution.
BirdLife International (of which the Audubon Society is the partner designate for North America) also endorsed the outcome of the negotiations and called for countries to begin implementing the terms of the Agreement immediately, without waiting for the formality of entry into force. "I want to echo Bird Life International's support of ACAP," continued Living Ocean's Gilman. "Thousands of albatrosses and petrels are dying on the hooks of longlines. All countries holding the fate of these birds in their hands should implement this agreement as soon as possible."
Contact John Bianchi for further information: jbianchi@audubon.org 212/979-3026
