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Black-browed Albatross

The Black-browed Albatross has the largest population of any species of albatross with a majority of the population (65%) breeding within the Falkland Islands. However over the past ten years there has been a decline in numbers with a loss of 38,439 pairs (10%). 70% of Falkland birds breed at two very large colonies: on Beauchêne Island (502kb PDF) and on Steeple Jason Island (733kb PDF). Both of these sites show sharp declines (at Steeple from 214,648 in 1987 to 171,286 in 2005.) However, some of the smaller breeding sites scattered along the west coast of West Falkland have shown an increase (eg North Island, a Falklands Conservation nature reserve, in the New Island Group (578kb PDF) from 17,737 to 20,083).

Numbers in the Falklands apparently increased substantially during the 1980s, probably because of abundant offal and discards from trawl fisheries (the commercial fishing industry started up at this time). Overall, it is estimated that in the last 20 years, the population in the Falkland Islands has decreased from around 506,000 to 382,000 breeding pairs, and from 468,000 to 382,000 in the last five years alone. It is this sharp decline in population size which justifies its Endangered status and its protection under the international Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels.

A black-browed albatross colony on Beauchêne Island showing reduction in size from 1980 (on the left) to 2000 on right.

The decrease is linked to mortality at sea due to fishing activities such as long lining and trawling. This is now much reduced in Falkland waters, but the bird remains at risk throughout its range in the southern hemisphere. The reduction of such mortality to negligible levels (as recently achieved through improved management in Falkland Island waters) is an essential condition for the survival of the Black-browed Albatross.


Photo: Kevin Schafer

Southern Giant Petrel


Elephant Cays Group

In 2004/05 the first comprehensive survey (1.8Mb PDF) of all known and suspected breeding colonies on the Falkland Islands found 19,810 breeding pairs. Whilst there had been no previous census of the total population of this bird, there is clear evidence of an increase in the population since the 1950s. The reasons for this remain unclear. The recent census acts as a baseline against which future censuses (planned at 5-yearly intervals) will be measured to identify trends and determine if the population is now under threat and possibly in decline (as it is known to be in other areas).

Sandy Cay, part of the Elephant Cays Group (531kb PDF) in Falkland Sound, is the largest colony of Southern Giant Petrels in the Falkland Islands with 10,936 breeding pairs.

Southern Giant Petrels are very common around trawlers and longliners fishing in Falkland waters, with flocks in excess of 500 regularly encountered. They are regularly killed in fisheries but in smaller numbers than the Black-browed Albatross. For this reason, it is now protected under the international Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels. There appears to be an increase in numbers at sea in the winter, suggesting movements of birds breeding further south (from South Georgia or the Antarctic Peninsula).
 

White Chinned Petrel

In the summers of 2004/05 and 2005/06 a census (615kb PDF) of all known colonies in the Falkland Islands was conducted. A minimum population of 55 breeding pairs was discovered - a very small proportion of the total world population (5 million). However, this species breeds on only eight archipelagos around the southern ocean and thus the Falkland birds may be an important genetic reserve for the conservation of this species as a whole. In addition, birds from the very large population of white-chinned petrels on South Georgia regularly use Falkland Islands waters.

White-chinned Petrels are the most commonly killed seabird in the Southern Ocean and small numbers have been recorded perishing whilst interacting with longline and trawl fisheries around the Falkland Islands. For this reason, it is now protected under the international Agreement for the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels and rated as a Vulnerable species.

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