Nic Huin Around 60% of the world's Black-browed Albatrosses breed in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Zoom In

Dramatic declines on seabird island

16-02-2004

New research carried out by Falklands Conservation (BirdLife in the Falkland Islands (Malvinus)) on Steeple Jason Island has shown huge decreases in the populations of both Black-browed Albatrosses and Rockhopper Penguins. In the space of three years up to November 2003, 44,000 breeding pairs of albatross and 59,000 breeding pairs of penguins have vanished from one of their global strongholds.

Located to the north west of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) archipelago, Steeple Jason Island was gifted to the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York three years ago by philanthropist Michael Steinhardt. It holds the worlds’ largest breeding colony of Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys and the second largest colony of Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrysocome.

Falklands Conservation have carried out extensive research into the Black-browed Albatross over the last five years. This has included investigating the birds' feeding behaviour and at-sea interaction with fishing vessels, as well as conducting a complete census in 2003 which resulted in the re-classification of the species as Endangered. Between 1995 and 2000, over 87,500 breeding pairs were lost at a rate of 4% per year, which roughly equates to 2 albatrosses per hour.

The drop in albatross numbers is usually connected to fishing. Throughout the feeding grounds of the Black-browed Albatross many thousands of adult birds are killed each year – mainly through interaction with longline fishing vessels (and to a lesser extent trawlers). However, recent harmful algal blooms within Falkland waters have been observed to have a dramatic effect on seabirds, with many hundreds of albatrosses being affected and killed. Dead birds were even reported from colony areas – a rare occurrence under normal circumstances.

Equally dramatic is the decline in Rockhopper Penguin numbers, a species classified as Vulnerable. From a population of 89,000 breeding pairs in 2000, only 30,000 breeding pairs now remain on Steeple Jason. Following a dramatic population crash in the mid-1980s (from which the species never fully recovered), the population had recently been thought to have stabilised – so this new decline is a bitter blow.

Falklands Conservation Only 30,000 breeding pairs of Rockhopper Penguins now remain on Steeple Jason Island Zoom In

"Without detailed data on diet, foraging patterns and survival rates of Rockhopper Penguins of all age classes, it remains impossible to determine the causes of this decline and to take measures to conserve the species." —Nic Huin, Senior scientist, Falklands Conservation

The causes of the recent decline are not yet properly understood. Algal poisoning around the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), as well as large-scale changes in ocean currents and food availability, are thought to be two of the most likely factors that could be to blame for the huge reduction in numbers of breeding birds.

Falklands Conservation (which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year) is pushing for improved measures to conserve seabirds. They are strongly urging the UK Government to ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels (ACAP) without further delay – making sure that the Islands are included. They are also putting pressure on the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Government to adopt and implement the National Plans of Action to Reduce Seabird Mortality, which were developed with the assistance of the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK).

Seabird conservation in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) will soon be under the spotlight, as the John Ridgway Save the Albatross voyage is due to arrive on the next stage of its mammoth journey in early March.