Albatross Task Force ‘spreads its wings’ to cover more countries

28-03-2008

Fighting to save the albatross from extinction, BirdLife International and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) are doubling the number of countries – from three to six - in which they work.

New research from Namibia, Uruguay and Argentina highlights these iconic seabirds are dying in large numbers within their waters. All three countries represent globally important hotspots for albatrosses. A recent report shows that Namibian longline fisheries alone kill over 30,000 seabirds, including albatrosses annually.

In response, BirdLife International and the RSPB are committing over £2million ($4million) to double the reach of the Albatross Task Force (ATF). The ATF is the world’s first international team of experts advising fishermen about ways to reduce seabird deaths by making fishing techniques more ‘albatross friendly’

Peter Ryan

This haul of dead seabirds is from one fishing trip by a single boat.
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“Operating in some of the harshest seas in the world, the ATF has made outstanding first steps towards its goal of reducing seabird bycatch and stemming the decline of albatross populations” —Dr Ben Sullivan, BirdLife Global Seabird Programme Coordinator

The organisers of the initiative - part of the BirdLife International’s Global Seabird Programme - believe doubling the ATF will prevent needless deaths of birds in the three new countries.

Dr Ben Sullivan, the BirdLife Global Seabird Programme Coordinator, said: “Operating in some of the harshest seas in the world, the ATF has made outstanding first steps towards its goal of reducing seabird bycatch and stemming the decline of albatross populations.”

All albatross species are of global conservation concern, and 86% (19 species) are facing extinction. The main cause of these population declines is bycatch in longline and trawl fisheries. Existing ATF teams in Brazil, Chile and South Africa have already highlighted albatross bycatch hotspots and are working with the fishing industry to introduce measures, like streamer lines, to minimize this bycatch.

“Albatrosses are dying today needlessly. The increase in the Albatross Task Force will enable us to put more members on boats to prevent more albatrosses dying tomorrow” —Dr Ben Sullivan, BirdLife Global Seabird Programme Coordinator

Dr Ben Sullivan added: “Early results from the Brazilian Task Force suggests that the number of birds killed is more than halved when vessels are deploying streamer lines”.

“We are delighted that the Task Force is showing signs of success. Albatrosses are dying today needlessly. The increase in the Albatross Task Force will enable us to put more members on boats to prevent more albatrosses dying tomorrow”, said Dr Sullivan.

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ATF in Brazil is represented by Projeto Albatroz whose main sponsor is the Programa Petrobras Ambiental.

Credits: Albatross Task Force