Which countries are important for albatrosses?

Richard Thomas / BirdLife The Black-browed Albatross breeds in the territories of a number of different countries Zoom In

Despite the fact that he majority of these threatened species are found in the Southern Ocean, all longlining nations have a responsibility to prevent the needless slaughter and death of seabirds.

However, some key nations and territories are especially important as they harbour crucial breeding populations of albatrosses. These include:

United Kingdoms Overseas Territories

Tristan and Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses (both endemic to Tristan-Gough), Grey-headed Albatross (majority of world population at South Georgia), Black-browed Albatross (majority of world population in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)), Wandering and Light-mantled Albatrosses (South Georgia), Sooty Albatross (Tristan-Gough).

New Zealand

Twelve breeding albatross species, more than any other country: Chatham, Antipodean, Northern Royal, Southern Royal, Campbell, Buller's, Wandering, Grey-headed, Salvin's, Black-browed, Shy and Light-mantled

France's Southern Territories

Amsterdam, Wandering, Grey-headed, Black-browed, Light-mantled, Indian Yellow-nosed and Sooty Albatrosses

South Africa

Wandering, Grey-headed, Light-mantled, Indian Yellow-nosed and Sooty Albatrosses

Australia

Shy, Wandering, Grey-headed, Light-mantled and Black-browed Albatrosses.