CCAMLR

The conservation status of albatrosses has been re-evaluated using the recent suggested taxonomic revisions of albatrosses and the new IUCN criteria for identification of threatened taxa. The evaluations of threat status and categories were prepared by independent albatross specialists before being critically reviewed and endorsed by Birdlife International.
This evaluation reveals albatrosses to have the highest proportion of threatened species in any bird family that comprises more than a single species. Of the 24 albatross species recognized in the new taxonomy, two species (Amsterdam Albatross and Chatham Albatross) are Critically Endangered, two species (Northern Royal Albatross and Tristan Albatross( are Endangered, and 16 species are classed as Vulnerable. Currently only the two most abundant albatross species, the Black-browed (Near Threatened) and Laysan Albatrosses are classified as Lower Risk. For two species (Light-mantled Albatross and Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross) the present level of knowledge regarding population trend and status provides an inadequate basis for classification and these are assessed as Data Deficient.

The major recent advances in studies of albatross biology, ecology and conservation are reviewed. In addition to highlights arising during the first Albatross Conference, pioneering research on topics little covered therein (e.g., behaviour, moult, diet, physiology) are summarised. Important topics and opportunities for future research are suggested. The major historical and current threats to albatrosses are reviewed and the priority initiatives needed to tackle the latest – and greatest – threat, that of incidental mortality associated with longline fisheries, summarised.

In 1994, an experimental longline fisheri for hake Merluccius spp. commenced in the shelf water of South Africa. Participants were required to record any birds caught, and these data were supplemented by ship-based observers on several vessels. Longlines are set at night, and the white-chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis was the only seabird species caught while attempting to scavenge bait during gear setting. Small numbers of great shearwaters Puffinus gravis and pintado petrels Daption capense were killed during hauling operations. The hake longline fishery is estimated to kill 8000 ± 6400 white-chinned petrels a year in South African waters at a rate of 0.44 birds per 1000 hooks. This represents

In response to the Department of Conservation's concerns for the accidental capture of seabirds by Surface Long Liners and subsequent contract 9513004, several concepts of bait placement devices were evaluated. Two methods being selected for further in depth evaluation.
The first concept being a towed paravane with an endless cable employed to transport and release the bait at the depth to which the paravane was set. Although practical bait carrying devices were designed, the ability to retrieve the endless cable and paravane proved problematical. At this point this concept was abandoned.
The second concept being a transportation capsule which clamps the baited snood until the capsule reaches its determined depth. At this point in time the carry over action of the capsule and retrieval action would release the bait. This design concept proved worthy of construction and trial. Sea trials of this device proved successful with a 100 percent bait release rate achieved.

The accidental/incidental capture of seabirds by longline gear may be causing a significant decline in the numbers of some species (most notably albatross Diomedea sp) in the Southern Oceans.
In response to the sea bird problem, the New Zealand Department of Conservation funded a programme in 1996 to develop a device to set baits underwater on commercial longliners.
Trials on two U tube devices are reported in this document. One with the tube opening facing forward was unsuccessful ,in flushing bait to the setting depth, however a backward facing U tube succeeded in flushing the bait on all trials to the setting depth of 1.5 metres.
A second trial was undertaken with the backward facing U tube. On all trials the U tube * successfully flushed the baits to the required three metre depth.
The U tube is a simple mechanical device requiring only one additional item of equipment - a deckhose. The device requires minimal operator skill, and is easy to build and maintain.
The U tube has the potential to set baits at greater than three metres. However, this capability has not been tested. Further study is required to test the device on commercial tuna vessel operating conditions and to assess the effectiveness of the device in thwarting seabirds from capturing the baits underwater.