Southern Seabird Forum launched to save the world’s largest seabird – the Albatross
Chile’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Carlos Appelgren, has welcomed international support for a forum that will help South
American fishers reduce the mortality of seabirds during fishing operations.
The forum, scheduled for mid-2005 in South America, will involve fishers from Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
and the Falklands. It has been initiated by New Zealand’s Southern Seabird Solutions, and funded by the British-based
animal welfare and conservation charity, Care for the Wild International. A host country has yet to be determined.
Ambassador Appelgren said albatrosses and petrels are important to both New Zealanders and South Americans. “These
magnificent birds are international travellers and ocean ambassadors that help link our two countries. What happens in
New Zealand’s waters, and what happens in South American waters has a huge bearing on their survival,” he said.
The South American fishers’ forum builds on the success of two international forums held in Auckland (2000) and in
Hawaii (2002). These allow fishers from different fleets to share knowledge on the issues and effective mitigation
techniques.
The South American forum, with its more regional focus, will ensure more fishers from local fleets can participate and
that problems particular to their fisheries can be discussed.
It will also allow cultural considerations to be built into the programme, Ambassador Appelgren said.
“Fishing is an important part of the economies and culture of South American countries, but as we learn more about the
effect it can have on some seabird species it is important that we do what we can to reduce these deaths,” he said.
He believes the model that Southern Seabird Solutions uses, fishers working with fishers to share their mitigation
methods, knowledge and experience would be particularly effective.
Southern Seabird Solutions Convenor, Janice Molloy, said the use of effective mitigation measures now forms part of best
practice fishing in New Zealand, and the opportunity to work with South American fishers was extremely valuable.
“Effective seabird mitigation is not just about physical changes to the vessel and how it operates, it also needs a
change of attitude and culture amongst the fishers.”
Care for the Wild International’s Chief Executive, Barbara Maas, said her organisation welcomed the opportunity to help
transfer fishing technologies and knowledge to reduce seabird mortalities to other fleets and build commitment
throughout the Southern Ocean.
According to Dr Maas “preventing albatross deaths on long lines is one of today’s most pressing marine conservation
issues and is crucial to the species’ survival.
“Each year 100,000 albatrosses are drowned by commercial long line fishing vessels.
Seabirds do not understand or respect territorial boundaries. They soar the southern oceans and that means success
depends on the international co-operation of all stakeholders. Ultimately change can only be effected if fishermen
themselves commit to seabird-safe fishing practices.”