Over 70% of the global population of Black-browed Albatross breed in the Falkland Islands.

In the space of three years, 44,000 breeding pairs of albatross and 59,000 breeding pairs of penguins have vanished from one of the worlds’ most important breeding sites. New research by Falklands Conservation on Steeple Jason in November 2003 has shown disturbing decreases in the populations of both Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins. There is now an urgent need to implement efforts to save these seabird populations.

The Falklands is the stronghold of the Black-browed Albatross.

There are clearly major implications for the rest of the Falklands population, which at this stage remains uncounted since 2000. A reduction in numbers here will have a severe impact on its status and long-term survival worldwide. Ironically, these figures come to light as the John Ridgway ‘Save the Albatross’ voyage approaches the Falklands, due to arrive in early March. Supported by BirdLife International, this voyage plans to highlight the plight of the worlds’ albatross.

Over the last five years, Falklands Conservation have carried out extensive research into the Black-browed Albatross, investigating their foraging behaviour and at-sea interaction with fishing vessels, as well as conducting a complete census 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 breeding pairs were lost, a rate of 4% per year, or 2 albatross per hour. This recent decline suggests that efforts to conserve the albatross population need to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

The drop in albatross numbers is usually connected to fishing. Throughout the foraging grounds of the Black-browed Albatross, many thousands of adult birds are killed each year through interaction with both longline and trawl vessels. The bulk of the birds are most likely killed by illegal and unregulated fisheries, with over 10,000 birds killed by longline fisheries over a 3-year period along the Patagonian Shelf. Even within Falkland waters themselves, trawl fisheries kill 1500 adult birds a season. However, recent harmful algal blooms within Falkland waters (link to Penguin Death Results) have been observed to have a dramatic effect on seabirds, with many hundreds of albatross being affected and killed during last summer. Dead birds were even reported from colony areas – a rare occurrence under normal circumstances.

Rockhopper Penguin

Even more dramatic is the decline in Rockhopper penguin numbers.

From a population of 89,000 breeding pairs in 2000, only 30,000 breeding pairs remain at the site. The species had been thought to be stable during the late 1990’s, following a dramatic population crash in the mid-1980’s, from which they have never fully recovered. This recent reduction is yet more evidence of a serious problem, not yet understood. As with the albatross, many hundreds of penguins were recently affected by algal poisoning around the Falklands, which may have been a contributory factor. Large scale changes in ocean currents and food availability may also be responsible for the decline in numbers. “This highlights the urgent need for in-depth long-term monitoring of this species’ states Falklands Conservation senior scientist Nic Huin. ‘Without detailed data on the survival rate of birds of all age classes, diet through the breeding season and foraging patterns of birds throughout the years, it remains impossible to determine the causes of such declines and to take measures to conserve the species”.

This further decrease in numbers of birds, already endangered or vulnerable, is alarming. It is possible that time is running out for these birds unless concerted and committed steps are taken now. Falklands Conservation strongly urges the following action: The Falkland Island Government adopt and implement the National Plans of Action to Reduce Seabird Mortality and the UK Government ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels without any further delay and work closely with the Falkland Islands Government to ensure the inclusion of the Falklands within it.