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Falklands Conservation |
Importance of the Falklands for this Species
Description
Albatross Colonies in the Falklands
Diet and Inter-action with Commercial Fisheries
Egg-collecting
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Importance of the Falklands for this Species
The Black-browed Albatross (Diomedea melanophris), known in the Falkland Islands as the Mollymawk, is found all around the southern oceans between 25' and 60' S. The Falkland Islands hold over 85% of the global population and are the most important breeding station in the world for this species. The largest rookery in the world is on Steeple Jason Island with some 200-230,000 breeding pairs (1987).
Albatrosses are a member of the group of seabirds known generally as 'petrels', sometimes 'tubenoses'. When seen flying the impression is of a huge bird with long slim wings and an elegant 'sailing' flight. It flaps its wings infrequently and its flight appears almost effortless. They are very large birds with a wing span of 210-250cm (7-8ft).
Albatross Colonies in the Falklands
Black-browed albatrosses may be seen throughout the year in Falkland waters, but return to their rookeries on land in September. Breeding is concentrated at 10 major sites, all cliffs or islands mainly off West Falkland. They often form colonies in association with Rockhopper Penguins, generally on elevated sites where birds can use updrafts for flying in and out. The nest is a solid pillar of mud and guano with some tussac grass and seaweed incorporated and is re-used annually. A single egg is laid in early October. Fledged young birds leave the nest between mid-March and early April but remain within the South Atlantic as they develop to maturity. They are long lived birds surviving 30 years or more and have a strong attachment to their colony of birth.
Diet and Inter-action with Commercial Fisheries
Black-browed Albatross feeds largely in the Falkland Current on fish, lobster-krill and squid. They may travel long distances to find the best feeding - sometimes more than 200 miles in a single sorties away from the nest. They are successful scavengers of waste and offal discarded from fishing trawlers A report for Falklands Conservation (An Assessment of the Potential for Competition between Seabirds and Fisheries in the Falkland Islands) has found that about 15% of their diet was obtained as discards from the fisheries. There may be some short term gain from the provision of this food, but the direct mortality associated with fishing equipment and the potential competition between the albatross and fisheries for the birds traditional prey stocks is likely to be more harmful than beneficial. Off the South American coast many birds from the Falkland Islands population are killed by longline fishing vessels.
The collection of Albatross eggs is now illegal.
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Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative |