Pictured left to right: CCAMLR Executive Secretary, David Agnew, and ACAP Executive Secretary, Dr Christine Bogle, signing the renwal of  the Momorandum of Understanding between the two organisations

The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) have reaffirmed their commitment to seabird conservation by renewing their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another three years. This collaboration underscores the shared goals of both organisations to mitigate seabird bycatch and promote marine biodiversity conservation.

The renewal was discussed during the 43rd CCAMLR Meeting under Agenda Item 11, Cooperation with Other Organisations. ACAP expressed gratitude to the CCAMLR Executive Secretary for recommending the extension and highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation at CCAMLR meetings and through collaborative efforts.

ACAP has been an active contributor to CCAMLR’s deliberations, particularly in the Working Group on Incidental Mortality Associated with Fishing (WG-IMAF) and the Scientific Committee. Much of this input focuses on best practices for seabird bycatch mitigation. In addition, ACAP provides updates on relevant developments, including guidance related to the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza pandemic. 

ACAP encouraged CCAMLR Members to engage with its work by attending upcoming meetings and sharing relevant research. ACAP’s next triennial Meeting of the Parties will take place in May 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand, followed by Working Group meetings in 2026.

The renewed MoU, availble on the ACAP website, reflects the ongoing partnership between ACAP and CCAMLR and highlights their mutual dedication to safeguarding seabirds and marine ecosystems. 

2 December 2024

“Wisdom and her mate talk to their newly laid egg"

ACAP Latest News has reported many times over the years on the fortunes of Wisdom, the 70-something Laysan Albatross Phoebastrai immutabilis – and the world’s oldest known wild bird – on her home of Midway Atoll (click here). She is now reported by the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge as being back on Midway’s Sand Island, sighted near her usual nest site on 26 November, with a new mate incubating an egg for the new 2024/2025 season.

“The oldest known banded bird in the wild, a Mōlī or Laysan albatross known as Wisdom and who is at least 74 years old, has once again mystified biologists.  Being able to reproduce and develop an egg, much less survive at sea and rear at least 30 chicks during her 74+ years defies logic and is truly remarkable.  She is more than a symbol of hope and resilience, she also helps scientists better understand how to fully support such long lived and majestic seabirds.  Enjoy the affectionate moments as Wisdom (band number Z333) and her mate welcome their offspring into the world.  All images were captured by photographer and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Volunteer Dan Rapp and were made possible to share with [the] world because of the members and donors of the Friends of Midway Atoll.”

“Wisdom's mate positions himself in preparation for the first incubation of their newly laid egg.  Soon after Wisdom departs out to sea to rest, feed and recuperate”

“Wisdom's journey over more than seven decades continues to inspire thousands of people around the world with hope for the thriving success of not just her species, but countless other species thanks to the driven workers, volunteers, and agencies devoted to bringing balance to natural places around our planet [Pacific Islands: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]”.

A personal note:  As a septuagenarian myself and having visited Midway Atoll back in 2000 as part of the Second International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and other Petrels held in Honolulu, I feel a special affinity for Wisdom.  After all, I always wear on my wrist a replica of her red colour band Z333!

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 29 November 2024

Traps equipped with SmartTrap technology await deployment next to a White-chinned Petrel artificial burrow on New Island

Vulnerable White-chinned Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis breed in very small numbers on New Island in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)* as recently reported in ACAP Latest News.  Prior to an attempt by the New Island Restoration Project (NIRP) to eradicate the island’s rodents and feral cats, efforts have been made to protect the colony by installing artificial burrows.  Further on-site protection now comes from the use of SmartTrap technology (a biosecurity wireless monitoring system), as the NIRP reports on its Facebook page.

Sending a message: part of the ‘SmartTrap’ set up on New Island

“We've just installed brand-new ‘smart traps’ at the White-chinned Petrel colony here on New Island.  These traps are a game-changer in our mission to protect this small and vulnerable colony, which is on the brink of local extinction and is threatened by predation from invasive mammals.

Equipped with advanced technology from Econode New Zealand, these traps send instant notifications when triggered, allowing us to respond quickly and efficiently.  This will improve the chances of White-chinned Petrels successfully raising chicks through to fledging.

A huge thank you to Biodiversity Challenge Funds for funding the purchase of this equipment and supporting our efforts to conserve New Island's unique biodiversity.”

After dark: a White-chinned Petrel at the mouth of its artificial burrow on New Island

Reference:

Reid, T., Lecoq, M, & Catry, P. 2007.  The White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis population of the Falkland Islands.  Marine Ornithology 35: 57-60.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 28 November 2024

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.

 A view of Lord Howe Island, photograph by Ian Hutton

Lord Howe Island is a World Heritage natural property situated some 600 km off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, in the Tasman Sea.  In 2019 the Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project saw the end of the island's introdiced rodents (click here).  Now five years on the island is blossoming with rediscoveries and recoveries of birds (such as the Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis and Providence Petrel P. solandri), invertebrates and plants, many endemic to the island, as described and illustrated in a recent online article.

27 November 2024