|
|
Falklands Conservation |
Falkland Islands Government Adopts Plans to Save Seabirds
The long-term survival of the Falklands Black-browed albatross population (the Islands hold 70% of the global breeding population) has been boosted by the Falkland Islands Government adoption of a National Plan of Action for Seabirds. The plan was drafted by Falklands Conservation (BirdLife in the Falklands) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife in the UK), under the guidelines of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The introduction of local mitigation measures to the longlining fleet has led to a significant reduction in the number of seabirds killed in recent years. The vast majority of seabird mortality in the Falkland Islands is now caused by factory trawlers that discharge offal. The adoption of a specific plan to address the problems caused by trawling makes a significant first in seabird conservation around the world. The entire offshore commercial fishing fleet in the Falkland Islands is now covered by detailed plans to reduce seabird mortality.
"The adoption of these Falkland Action Plans is a milestone in protecting the beleaguered albatrosses of the Southern Ocean. They put the Falklands at the forefront of seabird-friendly fishing and have lit a beacon for other fishing nations to follow."
Dr Euan Dunn, Head of the RSPB Marine Unit
Since 1998, Falklands Conservation has carried out extensive research into the Black-browed albatross, investigating their foraging behaviour and at-sea interactions with vessels, as well as conducting a complete census in 2000-2001 which resulted in the re-classification of the species as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2003. Between 1995 and 2000 over 87,500 pairs were lost, at rate of 4% per year, or 2 birds every hour.
The Falklands Conservation Seabirds at Sea Team and the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department have been working closely with the local fishing industry to develop and trial mitigation methods for trawlers. This recently culminated in experimental trials that identified a successful mitigation method that will become a licensing condition for all trawlers for the second season in 2004 and is hoped will reduce seabird deaths to negligible levels in a relatively short time frame.
|
Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative |