Antipodean wandering albatross at risk of extinction - scientists

Wednesday, 15 January 2020

High death rates and slow breeding of Antipodean wandering albatross mean the species could die out.

The bird's current rate of survival is 'unsustainable', according to a report released by the Department of Conservation, and the high number of deaths was likely linked to longline fishing – a mechanism used by deep-sea fishers which is heavy, long and carries a large number of baited hooks to attract fish.

The report pointed to the tracking of 16 birds last year, two of which were killed before their return to land. One died as a result of fishing activity and the other crossed paths with a vessel at the time the bird's satellite connection was lost.

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A report, released by the Department of Conservation, says the Antipodean wandering albatross (pictured) has been in sharp decline for over a decade with females disappearing at about 8 per cent per annum.

* Fishing industry under fire for killing endangered albatrosses

* Environment groups lambast fishing industry over bird deaths and sea floor damage

A graph from the Antipodean wandering albatross census and population study showing the number of breeding birds on Antipodes Island.

* More than 10,000 seabirds caught by commercial fishermen since 2013**

The report said females of the species had declined at a faster rate than males which had led to a sex imbalance since 2005. Now there are more than two adult males for every adult female, with the population of breeding females 42 per cent of its 2004 level.

White-755 gave hourly updates via her tracking device but it 'suddenly stopped' on May 19 while she was foraging near Louisville Ridge in the Southwest Pacific Ocean.

The number of pairs of Antipodean wandering albatross nesting is now 65 per cent of what it was in 1994.

A graph showing the location of the last few signals (red line) received from White-755 and the location of the longline fishing vessel (pink dots and line) when her transmitter stopped functioning. Faint blue lines are other fishing vessels.

'The population will not stop declining until female survivorship increases.'

The report noted problems ensuring tracking devices were functional and remained attached to the birds, so further tracking was needed to understand the 'scale of interaction between birds and fishing fleets'.

However, the report concluded initial satellite tracking results suggested bird deaths linked to fisheries' bycatch was a consistent explanation for the low survival rate of the female albatross.

A graph showing the number of nests on Antipodes Island.

Forest & Bird seabird advocate Sue Maturin said there was great cause for concern over the continued and rapid decline of this endemic bird, which had the same endangered status as the kākāpō.

'Scientists are predicting that they could become functionally extinct within 20 to 30 years.'

Maturin said thousands of birds were caught in the high seas on longlines and while there were some regulations in place they weren't strong enough.

Forest & Bird called on the Government to take a stronger stance on fisheries' operations and lead the global industry by example. That included surveillance and enforcement, she added.

Seafood New Zealand chief executive Tim Pankhurst said, in an emailed statement, albatross caught as a result of fishing was 'regrettable' and 'especially upsetting' given its nationally critical status.

The domestic fishing industry was not the main driver of the population decline, he said. This was likely driven by captures by foreign vessels on 'the high seas', outside New Zealand's exclusive economic zone.

'Or potentially by unknown environmental factors. New Zealand cannot directly manage captures on the high seas – international collaboration is required to mitigate those losses.

'Having said that, the industry continues to take proactive steps to mitigate its impact on all seabirds, including the Antipodean albatross.'

The Government has reviewed its National Plan of Action for Seabirds and is currently asking the public to provide feedback on the changes before 5pm on Monday, January 27.

'Seabirds face a wide range of threats, including interactions with fisheries. The New Zealand Government's commitment to reducing interactions with fisheries,' the Fisheries New Zealand said.