Antipodean albatross multi-threat risk assessment

Antipodean albatross breed at Antipodes Islands, to the south of New Zealand. Its population has been declining since 2005. Data collected since 1994 were used to make a model of the albatross population. The model showed that the number of albatrosses, their survival rates (especially for females), and their breeding rates have all decreased. This study looked at whether fishing, climate change, plastic pollution, and diseases could be causing the population decline. To find out, the study looked at where the albatrosses go when they are away from Antipodes Island. Female albatrosses spend more time in the Tasman Sea and north-east of New Zealand than males do. The study didn’t find one clear reason for the albatross decline. But, it suggested that an increase in tuna fishing in the Tasman Sea, after 2006, might be a factor. The study suggested that we need more information on albatross captures by tuna fishing vessels in the Tasman Sea.

Also presented as Joint SBWG12/PaCSWG8 Doc 08 and WCPFC SC20-EB-IP-26.