Update on the conservation status, population trends and priorities for albatrosses and petrels in the CCAMLR area

The incidental mortality of seabirds in longline and trawl fisheries continues to be a serious global concern, especially for threatened albatrosses and petrels. The need for international cooperation in addressing this concern was a major reason for establishing the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). There are currently 31 species listed in Annex 1 of the Agreement. Of the 22 species of albatrosses, 12 breed or forage in the Convention Area, as do four of the nine listed petrel species. This paper provides a summary of the status and current trends of these 16 species as well as an update on ACAP resources relevant to seabird bycatch mitigation in trawl and demersal longline fisheries.