http://www.rspb.org.uk/international/albatross_appeal/news/alarming.asp
New research reveals alarming albatross decline
New research from South Georgia reveals that three species of albatross
nesting on the islands have declined at an alarming rate over the past
30 years and unless these declines can be halted or reversed, the
islands' albatrosses could face extinction.
This research shows that the islands, a UK Overseas Territory, have
lost nearly one third of their wandering albatross population since
1984 and that two other species breeding at South Georgia - the
black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses - are also suffering similar
rates of decline.
In common with other albatrosses around the world, the major threat
seems to be longline fishing. Research from the RSPB and BirdLife
International - who are currently running a global Save the Albatross
campaign - suggests that up to 100,000 albatrosses annually - or one
bird every five minutes - drown on the end of a longline fishing hook
as they try to snatch bait.
Sally Poncet, of South Georgia Surveys and the report's lead author,
said: 'It is well known that albatrosses world-wide are dying
needlessly in long-line fisheries. Our survey has shown that South
Georgia's albatrosses, in particular, are being pushed to the point
where three species are threatened with extinction.'
'up to 100,000 albatrosses annually - or one bird every five minutes -
drown on the end of a longline fishing hook as they try to snatch bait'
Dr Phil Trathan, Head of Conservation Biology at the British Antarctic
Survey and a co-author on the report, said: 'Our long-term research
shows birds are most likely caught thousands of miles away from their
breeding grounds. BAS scientists provide important advice to CCAMLR -
the fishery management organisation that regulates fishing activity
around South Georgia and elsewhere in the Southern Ocean.
'However, when birds feed beyond CCAMLR waters, especially off South
Africa and South America, they are at greater risk and it is therefore
important that bodies regulating these waters make them safe for
albatrosses.'
Dr Ben Sullivan, of the RSPB, said: 'The decline of albatrosses on
South Georgia mirrors declines from other South Atlantic UK Overseas
Territories, especially the Falkland Islands. With one third of the
world's albatrosses nesting on a UK overseas territory, we have a
colossal responsibility for these birds.
'Worryingly, it appears that South Atlantic albatrosses are among the
hardest hit populations in the world and without action these birds
will have a perilous future.'
As part of the Save the Albatross campaign, the RSPB and BirdLife
recently launched the Albatross Task Force, a practical project to
reduce the number of seabirds killed on longline hooks.
Specially-trained task force members are working at sea helping
long-line fishermen to adopt simple and proven measures, such as
setting streamer lines adjacent to the longlines to prevent birds
becoming hooked.
Dr Ben Sullivan, added: 'Fishermen would far rather catch fish than
seabirds and the Albatross Task Force offers a real opportunity to help
them achieve this.'
Visit www.savethealbatross.net for more information.
Source: RSPB Public Relations department
5 June 2006
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