Australia’s Macquarie Island marks World Albatross Day 2024 with a banner, Wandering Albatross decoy models and outstretched arms, photograph from Melanie Wells

With what seems to be a tradition that has been steadily growing since 2020, albatross islands in the Southern Ocean have once more displayed banners to celebrate World Albatross Day, held two days ago on 19 June.  This year’s crop of photographs follows – well done to all the island teams!

The 19-strong overwintering team on Marion Island, (the 81st since occupation in 1947) has pooled its resources to sponsor a hectare to the Mouse-Free Marion Project to mark World Albatross Day on 19 June and its 2024 theme of “Marine Protected Areas – Safeguarding our Oceans”, photograph from Vanessa Stephen and Monique van Bers

The 69th Overwintering Team on Gough Island in the South Atlantic poses with its recycled WAD2024 banner - and a decoy

Out in the snow.  The four-person overwintering team on Bird Island has gone with plasticine Light-mantled and Wandering Albatrosses to hold up its WAD204 banner.  Modelling by Liz Holmes and photograph by George Day

The Bird Island Overwintering Team on the research station’s jetty.  From left: Liz Holmes, George Day, Izzy Stubbs and Adam Owen

Not to be outdone, the French sub-Antarctic islands have celebrated WAD2024 with six albatross photos rather than with a banner, photograph of Wandering Albatrosses from Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (TAAF)

Not on an oceanic island or a banner but just as good.  The Royal Albatross Centre, situated next to the mainland colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head, has once again made a life-sized Northern Royal Albatross cake to mark World Albatross Day in 2024!

With thanks to George Day, Liz Holmes, Richard Phillips, Antje Steinfurth, Vanessa Stephen, Monique van Bers and Mellanie Wells.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 21 June 2024

The completed Mokio Preserve predator-proof fence, photograph by Butch Haase, Moloka'i Land Trust

The American Bird Conservancy and the Moloka‘i Land Trust have announced completion of a 1.7-km -long predator-proof fence at the Mokio Preserve on the Hawaiian island of Molokai this month, well in time for yesterday's World Albatross Day.  “Vulnerable seabirds, including the Laysan (Mōlī) and Black-footed Albatross (Ka‘upu), will have a chance to replenish their populations inside the nearly 100-acre [40-ha] elevated wildlife sanctuary, safe from sea level rise and invasive predators that prey upon their breeding colonies.

 “We've already begun seeing benefits from the newly installed fence, including Wedge-tailed Shearwater (‘Ua'u Kani) chicks this year, compared to previous years when all chicks were lost to mongoose predation.  Through social attraction and active translocation methods, we hope to establish species that are losing their nesting sites due to sea level rise in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, such as Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses, Bonin Petrels (Nunulu), and Tristram's Storm-Petrels (Akihikeʻehiʻale).”

Construction of the predator-proof fence began in August 2020.  Even before the fence was completed, several Laysan Albatrosses and one Black-footed Albatross have been documented at the site, responding to a solar-powered system that broadcasts albatross sounds and decoy albatross models.

A Laysan Albatross visits the decoys within the newly fenced area, photograph by Butch Haase, Moloka'i Land Trust

“The conservation fence at Mokio Preserve will cause a cascade of positive ecological impacts.  Increased numbers of nesting seabirds will bring marine-derived nutrients to the land and nearshore areas in the form of guano.  This will in turn provide nutrients to coastal plants which will create more habitat for native insects.”

The Mokio fence is an of upgraded design providing superior saltwater corrosion resistance. “Replacing an old deer fence that enabled the restoration of native vegetation, the new predator-proof fence will facilitate a more comprehensive recovery by keeping out small rodents that wreak havoc on native plants and nests, in addition to the cats and mongoose that prey on seabirds. Gates allow human access for research”.

Another view of the completed fence, photograph by Butch Haase, Moloka'i Land Trust

Access earlier articles in ACAP Latest News on the Mokio Preserve and its predator-proof fence here.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 20 June 2024

This year's World Albatross Day poster by Geoff Tyler highlights how Marine Protected Areas can help conservation efforts in safeguarding albatrosses

In celebration of World Albatross Day today, the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), has chosen to focus on the critical connection between albatrosses and the ocean with the theme, “Marine Protected Areas: Safeguarding our Oceans”.

Concerningly, most species of albatrosses are in decline. Since ACAP entered into force, the annual count of breeding Antipodean Albatrosses has halved. Sadly, this example is not atypical; the populations of over 40% of the 31 species listed by ACAP have decreased over the last 20 years. This year’s theme highlights how Marine Protected Areas can help improve the conservation status of these incredible birds.

ACAP’s Advisory Committee Chair, Dr Mike Double says these statistics are driven by a myriad of impacts such as invasive species, habitat destruction, climate change and disease but fisheries bycatch remains the greatest threat to most ACAP-listed species. And this is where Marine Protected Areas offer hope. 

“Marine Protected Areas may help in turning this grim reality around as they provide levels of protection for the species and ecosystems located within their defined geographical boundaries,” he said.

Currently designated by governments within their own territorial waters, the establishment of MPAs can assist in improving the conservation status of albatrosses through the protection of the immediate surrounds of their breeding localities and key regions across their migratory ranges, and through the management of activities permitted within them, such as fishing. 

This year’s celebration is particularly significant in light of the landmark signature by 84 nations of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ treaty). 

Once ratified, this historic agreement will enable the creation of MPAs in waters commonly known as the High Seas, filling a critical gap in international law and providing a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine life in areas beyond national jurisdictions —an area covering almost two-thirds of the ocean.  

ACAP’s Executive Secretary, Dr Christine Bogle says the time to act has come.

“In the face of a conservation crisis, these birds can’t wait, action is required now, or it will be too late,” she said. “The establishment of Marine Protected Areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction is one more tool that can be used to safeguard these magnificent birds, who so urgently need the world to act.”

World Albatross Day, held annually on 19 June, is a global event promoting conservation efforts for the world’s most iconic seabird - albatrosses. This special day raises awareness about the threats these incredible birds face and encourages conservation actions worldwide. 

For more information on World Albatross Day please visit www.acap.aq.

19 June 2024

 Albatrosses and petrels gather behind a fishing vessel; photograph by Nahuel Chavez

Note: Today is Day Six of “WADWEEK2024”, a series of seven daily posts to ACAP Latest News leading to World Albatross Day on 19 June, in support of this year’s theme of “Marine Protected Areas – Safeguarding our Oceans”.

From 1 October, a transformative shift will sweep across New Zealand’s pelagic longline fishing fleet. Fisheries New Zealand has unveiled new regulations designed to significantly reduce the accidental capture of seabirds, particularly its many species of albatrosses.

The new regulations are grounded in ACAP's Best Practice Advice, which identifies the most effective methods to reduce seabird bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries. ACAP recommends that fishers simultaneously implement three key measures: branch line weighting, night setting, and bird scaring lines. Alternatively, the use of an assessed hook-shielding device or underwater bait setting device is recommended.

Sebastián Jimenez, Co-convenor of ACAP’s Seabird Bycatch Working Group said the announcement from Fisheries New Zealand is warmly welcomed by the Agreement. 

“These regulations are a significant step forward in protecting seabirds from the threats posed by bycatch. By adopting these proven measures, New Zealand is demonstrating global leadership in marine conservation."

These ACAP-endorsed measures, known as 'three out of three,' will replace the current rules, which require only two of the seabird mitigation measures to be implemented. This comprehensive approach ensures that New Zealand’s fishing practices align with the highest standards of seabird conservation.

Fisheries New Zealand’s Director of Fisheries Management, Emma Taylor says the new rules will strengthen protections for some of the nation’s most vulnerable seabirds and have come only months after the installation of electronic monitoring (EM) camera systems on 100% of New Zealand’s fishing fleet. 

"We have systems to monitor the position of all commercial fishing vessels in real time, and fishers are legally required to report their catch and position to us electronically. Alongside this, onboard cameras provide independent verification of fishing activity, including accidental bycatch of protected species.”

ACAP Best Practice Advice for seabird bycatch mitigation, including its Factsheets are available at the website under, Resources, here.

18 June 2024