Introduction to World Albatross Day

In May 2019 ACAP's Advisory Committee at its most recent meeting held in Brazil declared that a conservation crisis continues to be faced by its 31 listed species, with thousands of albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters dying every year as a result of fisheries operations. To increase awareness of this crisis ACAP has inaugurated a World Albatross Day, to be held annually from 2020 on 19 June, the date the Agreement was signed in 2001. The theme for ‘WAD2020’ is “Eradicating Island Pests”, chosen to highlight the threats albatrosses and petrels can also face on their breeding islands from introduced rodents, cats and pigs. This theme also recognizes the efforts being made to eliminate the introduced “killer” House Mice that have taken to attacking and killing breeding albatrosses and their chicks on both Gough and Midway Islands.

In a 12-month build up the Agreement reached out to communities around the world, but especially within the 13 Parties, to encourage them to undertake their own activities to mark World Albatross Day on 19 June.

Click here to learn about this poster by Owen Davey

Posted March 2020, updated 8 July 2020