Albatross
The albatross is one of the world's most spectacular birds. They spend most of their time at sea in Australia and New Zealand and can live up to 60 years.
19 of the world's 24 albatross species are now endangered
© WWF/Fritz PÖLKING
But 40,000 of these magnificent birds are being killed every year by illegal and unregulated fishing.
The method used to catch fish is also causing terrible damage. The long lines that these fishing vessels use can be 130 km long with up to 10,000 baited hooks attached. As the long lines float out behind the vessel, they attract albatross diving for the bait.
The albatross see thousands of pieces of food, not the hooks, diving for the bait and getting hooked through their bill. Despite their struggles they are dragged underwater and drown.
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Other Threats
Invasive species
Antarctic species like albatross have evolved in isolation from the rest of the world. Consequently, they have developed no mechanisms to fend for themselves from the invasive species carried onboard fishing vessels.
Rats are a particular danger, and large numbers have escaped into seabird breeding colonies throughout the region. Feeding on both chicks and eggs, they are devastating populations of albatross, petrel and other threatened species.
On some islands, rabbits are also a major threat. On Australia's World Heritage listed Macquarie Island, severe overgrazing by well over 100,000 rabbits is causing landslips and erosion on albatross breeding sites.
Marine pollution, debris, pollutants and oil
The Southern Ocean has become a dumping ground for rubbish. The amount of debris in the Southern Ocean increased 100 fold during the 1990s. Discarded plastic, fishing nets and hooks are causing the slow and painful death of thousands of mammals and birds each year.
Climate change - causing lost habitat and productivity
Hotter temperatures mean that fish populations could move to cooler waters in an effort to maintain the temperature normal for their habitat. However, this can leave other species (like the albatross) in dire straits that are dependent on these fish as a food source. In the Gulf of Alaska in 1993, as fish moved into cooler waters around 120,000 seabirds starved to death as they were unable to dive deep enough to reach their relocated prey.
Protecting the albatross
Line weighting trials
Thanks to WWF, line-weighting trials are being conducted during daylight hours, which is the time when albatross search for food. By weighting fishing lines so that they sit deeper in the water, the number of albatross and other seabirds snagged on these lines will hopefully be reduced.
Government and industry
WWF's work with the New Zealand Government and fishing industry has resulted in previously voluntary codes of conduct in relation to seabird mortality becoming obligatory. Fishing operators in New Zealand are now legally bound to take measures to reduce the number of albatross killed on their long-lines.
IUU
We are also campaigning for a stop to illegal fishing and the abuse of the so-called 'flags of convenience' system - a major threat to albatross and other seabirds - through national and international media. This will result in further measures being taken by countries around the world to prevent illegal fishing, which is estimated to kill around 20,000 birds a year on the Southern Ocean alone.
Looking ahead
Expanding on our success to date, we are embarking on practical projects to improve our understanding of how albatross interact with fishing fleets, seeking further improvements to fishing practices and a further reduction in albatross deaths.
WWF-Australia is working collaboratively with Antarctic expedition cruise operator Peregrine Adventures on a targeted three-year conservation project to protect important habitats in the Antarctic region. The establishment of Marine Protected Areas will assist in the protection of Southern Ocean species, especially albatross.
