The Albatross and Petrel Agreement’s series of ACAP Species Infographics has expanded with the addition today of French and Spanish versions of the latest infographic, that for the Near Threatened Light-mantled Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata.  This brings the number of ACAP-listed species with infographics produced so far in all three ACAP official languages to 10.

As for all the others produced so far, the latest infographics have been designed and illustrated by Namasri Nuimim, who is based in Bangkok, Thailand.  They have been sponsored by BirdLife South Africa on behalf of the Mouse-Free Marion Project.

Two further infographics will be produced in the first half of the year, firstly for the abundant and widespread Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris, to be followed by the globally Endangered Northern Royal Albatross D. sanfordi, endemic to New Zealand.  The infographic for the former species is being sponsored by the Australian Antarctic Program, the latter by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.  Both will be in support of World Albatross Day on 19 June and its theme for this year of “Plastic Pollution”.

All the ACAP Species Infographics are freely available for printing as posters from the ACAP website. English and Portuguese language versions of infographics are available to download here, whilst French and Spanish versions can be found in their respective language menus for the website under, Infographies sur les espèces and Infographía sobres las especies. ACAP requests it be acknowledged in their use for conservation purposes.  They should not be used for financial gain.

With thanks to Pep Arcos and Karine Delord, for their careful checking of texts.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 02 March 2023

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek described Macquarie Island as a remote wildlife wonderland – a critical habitat for millions of seabirds, seals and penguins. Globally Endangered Grey-headed Albatrosses such as the one pictured could benefit under the expansion of the marine park; photograph by Melanie Wells

The Australian Government is planning to add an area approximately the size of Germany to the marine protected area around sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.

The proposed addition of 388,000 square kilometres will triple the size of the marine park, aligning with the government’s commitment to protect 30 per cent of Australia's land and 30 per cent of Australia's oceans by 2030.

Halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica, the remote and rugged island was proclaimed a World Heritage Natural Site in 1997 and is an important breeding site for seven ACAP-listed albatrosses and petrels: the Grey-headed Thalassarche chrysostoma and Black-browed T. melanophris Albatrosses, Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans, Light-mantled Albatrosses Phoebetria palpebrate, Grey Petrels Procellaria cinerea, and Southern Giant Macronectes giganteus and Northern Giant M. halli Petrels. 

A Grey Petrel chick in its burrow on Macquarie Island; photograph by Jeremy Bird

Commenting on the expansion, Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said, “Expanding and increasing the protection of the waters surrounding Macquarie Island will allow us to better manage this important ecosystem for the future.” 

The Patagonian toothfish fishery which already operates in waters off Macquarie Island will be permitted to continue its operations under the government's proposal.

Macquarie Island's marine protected area is set to increase significantly. The map shows the island's current fishery zone (in yellow) which will become a part of the marine park. 

Parks Australia manage the Macquarie Island Marine Park and the current management plan is set to expire this year. This prompted the government to review the island's protection and management arrangements.

Consultation on the proposed expansion will open shortly and the public is encouraged to provide comment.

1 March 2023

Northern Royal Albatrosses display at Taiaroa Head, photograph by Sharyn Broni, poster design by Bree Forrer

New Zealand’s endemic Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi is one of four albatross species being featured for this year’s World Albatross Day with its theme of “Plastic Pollution” on 19 June.  A good time then to report that the mainland colony at Taiaroa Head/Pukekura of this globally Endangered and nationally Vulnerable albatross species has hatched its second highest number of chicks in the current 2022/23 breeding season.

Despite losing four eggs to suspected poachers back in November last year (click here), 33 eggs have hatched successfully.  This compares to the 2020/21 season when 36 chicks hatched – the highest number since the colony was established in the 1930s.  A total of 41 eggs was laid and 33 chicks fledged in that season (click here).

You can follow the fortunes of the intensively managed colony on Facebook and via the 24-hour livestreaming “Royal Cam”.  View and download this year’s posters featuring Northern Royals for WAD2023 here.

With thanks to Sharyn Broni, Ranger, Department of Conservation, Taiaroa Head.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 28 February 2023

Enjoying the great outdoors: Ornithological Field Assistant, Lucy Smyth, on Marion Island; photograph by Monica Leitner

Inspired by ACAP’s rallying cry to get involved in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count and increase the number of ACAP-listed birds in the results, Ornithological Field Assistant, Lucy Smyth, who is currently stationed on South Africa’s sub-Antarctic Marion Island, braved pouring rain to notch up her count (see table below). 

When asked about getting involved in the GBBC, Lucy responded, "A lot of fieldwork on Marion Island is very much a solo affair. Day after day after day I walk around, counting and monitoring birds from sunrise to sunset, with only myself for company. While I treasure this time alone, it was great to feel a sense of community on the day of the GBBC, and to think of all the people, all over the world, doing the same thing that day. We were all connected through our love for birds, despite the thousands of kilometres of ocean that lie between us."

A Wandering Albatross chick on Marion Island; photograph by Lucy Smyth

Lucy is a  member of the 79th Marion Island Overwintering Team who are stationed on Marion until May 2023. She has been monitoring Wandering Albatrosses and other seabird species at Marion Island.

The GBBC took place over four-days from February 17-20. Checklists are being counted until March 1, but currently over 315,000 checklists have been submitted and 7,493 species observed.

A map displaying submissions to the GBBC on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Yellow dots indicate a checklist submission, which revert to a white dot in the background.

Head to birdcount.org to explore data that has been submitted to date and to watch the GBBC’s real-time map displaying the locations of participants from all over the world as they submitted their checklists.

ACAP will report on the final results once available.

With thanks to Dr Maëlle Connan of Nelson Mandela University's, Marine Apex Predator Research Unit for alerting ACAP to Lucy's count.

27 February 2023