Protecting Migratory Seabirds

Forest and Bird, Issue 302, 1 November 2001, Page 30

Protecting Migratory Seabirds

New Zealand and Australia have recently signed an international agreement to protect petrels and albatrosses in their waters and beyond. The agreement has been developed under the Convention on Migratory Species, which is now in force in 73 countries. ‘The agreement contains legally binding obligations to safeguard the seabirds by conserving their habitats and developing ways to catch fish without catching the seabirds as well, according to the Minister of Conservation, Hon. Sandra Lee. ‘Worldwide, urgent action on the part of scientists and the fishing industry is required because some species of these birds are now threatened with extinction. ‘They are being caught on longlines in several commercial fisheries, they are menaced by alien predators and in some places their habitats are being ruined by development of recreational facilities’ The international agreement will allow better conservation, monitoring and information sharing among signatories. ‘We want all countries fortunate enough to have these magnificent birds visiting their territories to sign up, Sandra Lee says. ‘The greater the global area covered by this agreement, the more effective it will be. ‘New Zealand involvement is crucial to this initiative, given that nearly half the 28 albatross and petrel species managed under the agreement breed in this country, she says. The Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation are currently producing a ‘national plan of action’ to deal with seabird deaths. (This is a requirement of the United Nations agreement.) ‘The plan is turning into a "plan of inaction" as both the ministry and DoC refuse to put effective and binding arrangements into the plan, according to Forest and Bird's marine-issues expert, Barry Weeber. A revised draft of the plan will be released for public comment in October with submissions closing at the beginning of November. Check the Forest and Bird website www. forest-bird.org.nz for further information.