New research points to fishing bycatch as a major cause of the alarming decline of Antipodean albatrosses. The Department of Conservation report underlines the need for urgent action to fix New Zealand’s fishing rules, says Forest & Bird.

Published late last year, the report (Antipodean wandering albatross census and population study on Antipodes Island 2019) confirms the number of female Antipodean albatross has fallen to 42% of their 2004 numbers. The species has a ‘nationally critical’ threat status.

“The Antipodean albatross is one of the great albatrosses of the world, with a wingspan of three metres or more. We have a special responsibility to protect this bird which breeds almost exclusively on our Antipodes Island in the Sub-Antarctic,” says Forest & Bird seabird advocate Sue Maturin.

“The research, which tracked albatross by satellite, strongly indicates fishing bycatch is one of the main reasons for the alarming decline in the female population. We urgently need better rules for commercial fishing boats to keep these majestic birds from needlessly dying on longline hooks.”

A large number of the birds are believed to be killed by foreign fishing vessels in international waters. They are also killed in New Zealand’s longline fisheries, and the numbers actually caught are likely to be much higher than those reported because of the low rates of observers on commercial boats, the report states.

“Up to 14,000 birds were killed by New Zealand fishing boats last year,” Maturin says. “New Zealand’s fishing industry has pledged to aim for a zero bycatch target, so why are they – unlike our birds – being let off the hook so easily? This year, New Zealand has a chance to fix our fishing rules and do something positive for these beautiful albatrosses.”

Forest & Bird has declared 2020 to be the Year of the Seabird. Submissions on a draft National Plan of Action for Seabirds closed on 27 January.