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BirdLife International is currently giving consideration to changing the threat categories of six species of ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels and has invited comments via its Threatened Seabird Forum.

Of these six species, it is proposed that three should be up-listed (i.e. their category of threat increased) and three should be down-listed (reflecting an improvement in their conservation status).  Justifications for each of these suggested changes can be read on-line (see the species list below).  Comments are called for up to July 2013, with final decisions expected to be announced in September 2013.

Amsterdam Albatross Diomedea amsterdamensis: down-list to Endangered?

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris: down-list to Near Threatened?

Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma: up-list to Endangered?

White-capped Albatross Thalassarche steadi: up-list to Vulnerable?

Black-footed Albatross Phoebastria nigripes: down-list to Near Threatened?

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis: up-list to Endangered?

Grey-headed Albatross.  Photograph by Richard Phillips

ACAP’s Population and Conservation Status Working Group considered and commented on these proposals (PCSWG1 Doc 04 Rev) at its first meeting that was held last month in France (see its report AC7 Doc. 12).

The Working Group recommended that the ACAP Secretariat transmits relevant information to BirdLife International for incorporation into the current re-assessments.  It also encouraged working group members and other experts to participate in the discussion fora.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 29 May 2013