Worrying declines for world鈥檚 seabirds
The status of the world鈥檚 seabirds has deteriorated rapidly over recent decades and several species and populations are now perilously close to extinction, according to a new review by BirdLife International, a partner of the 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Red List of Threatened Species鈩. Across the globe, commercial fisheries pose the most serious threat to seabirds.
The review reveals that seabirds are now more threatened than any other group of birds. Of the 346 seabird species, 97 (28%) are globally threatened, and a further 10% are listed as Near Threatened. Almost half of all seabird species are known or suspected to be experiencing population declines. The albatross family is especially imperiled, with 17 of the 22 species currently threatened with extinction.
鈥淭his new data details the rapid deterioration of creatures that provide a crucial window onto the condition of the oceans,鈥 says Jean-Christophe Vi茅, Deputy Director, 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Global Species Programme. 鈥淲e must now use this information to enact changes that will reverse the loss of such an important group of species.鈥
Human activities lie at the heart of the staggering decline of seabird populations. At sea, commercial fisheries have depleted fish stocks, an important food source for seabirds, and caused the death of innumerable seabirds through accidental bycatch. On land, the introduction of invasive species has destroyed many breeding colonies.
鈥淪eabirds are a diverse group with worldwide distribution, and as top predators they also provide a valuable indicator of wider marine health,鈥 says Professor John Croxall, Chair of BirdLife鈥檚 Global Seabird Programme, and lead author of the paper.
There may still be time to reverse these declines and the review is clear on the actions that need to be taken. The sites where seabirds congregate鈥攂oth onshore breeding colonies and offshore feeding grounds鈥攎ust be protected. BirdLife has identified many Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for seabirds on land and plans to publish the first inventory of marine IBAs in the high seas. The goal is to use the identified areas to develop a global network of Marine Protected Areas and assist in the implementation of new approaches to the management and protection of marine systems.
In order to stem the disappearance of seabird populations, invasive species鈥攕pecifically introduced rodents鈥攎ust be removed from major seabird colonies. Several successful restoration projects have already taken place, and BirdLife is currently collaborating with Island Conservation and the University of California, Santa Cruz to compile a list of priority sites for future eradication operations. There is also a need for more research to fill existing knowledge gaps and address emerging threats such as aquaculture, energy generation operations and climate change.
鈥淭he work done by BirdLife International is extremely important in identifying needed conservation action for our pursuit to protect the world鈥檚 most threatened species,鈥 says Jean-Christophe Vi茅.
Issues involving species survival will be discussed at the 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 World Conservation Congress in Jeju, Republic of Korea, from 6 to 15 September 2012.
For more information or to schedule interviews please contact:
鈥 Camellia Williams, 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Species Programme Communications, t +41 22 999 0154, e [email protected] 听
鈥 Martin Fowlie, Birdlife Communications Officer, Tel +44 (0)1223 279813 email: [email protected]