Balearic Shearwater by ABUN artist Mary Ann Stafford, watercolour and collage, after a photograph by Pep Arcos

Marina Ramírez-Bal (Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, Pasaia, Spain) and colleagues have published open access in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation on migration of the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus.  Their study shows that core non-breeding areas for the species are in the Bay of Biscay, outside the Mediterranaean and the western Iberian coast, inside it.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Understanding the migratory patterns of declining species is essential to guide targeted conservation efforts. We studied the migratory dynamics of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) using geolocator data spanning 88 annual cycles from 53 individuals tracked between 2017 and 2022. Breeding birds were tagged at colonies across their main breeding islands in the Balearic archipelago (Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca). Post-breeding movements revealed distinct migratory routes: all individuals from Ibiza and Mallorca (n = 78) migrated to the Atlantic, whereas 80 % of those from Menorca (n = 10) remained within the Mediterranean. Among Atlantic migrants, 54 % established core non-breeding areas in the Bay of Biscay, 41 % in the Western Iberia, and 5 % in the Gulf of Cadiz. Of the 27 individuals tracked across multiple years, 89 % consistently returned to the same non-breeding area, demonstrating strong site fidelity. Duration of stay in these regions ranged from one to seven months, with earlier arrivals typically remaining longer. Migration timing was influenced by breeding success: failed breeders departed approximately one month earlier than successful ones. These results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring programmes in capturing individual-level migratory patterns. By revealing consistent use of specific non-breeding areas, such programmes help identify sites that are repeatedly important across both space and time. Enabled by biologging technology, these insights are invaluable for the conservation of declining species. Site-based conservation actions focused on key Atlantic areas could deliver tangible benefits during the non-breeding season.”

Reference:

Ramírez-Bal, M., García-Barón, I., García, D., Arcos, J.M., Carrasco, G., Lewin, P., Delord, K. & Louzao, M. 2026.  Individual migratory patterns of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater: A multi-colony and multi-year study in the NE Atlantic.  Global Ecology and Conservation 65.  e03989.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 10 April 2026

“Albatross chick reaction when facing a Southern Giant Petrel (left) and a cat (right)”, from the publication

Anais Cotton (Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l’Environnement, Université de Toulouse, France) and colleagues have published open access in the Journal of Comparative Physiology A on the responses of Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans chicks to feral cats on France’s Kerguelen Island.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“In long-standing predator-prey systems, prey typically evolve costly responses to predation risk. How prey respond to novel predators is less investigated. We explored physiological (corticosterone, triglyceride), morphological (body condition) and behavioural (defensive posture) responses of wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) chicks to a novel predator, the feral cat (Felis catus) in Kerguelen archipelago. We implemented a semi-experimental design to increase the variance in cat abundance by regulating cat populations in certain zones of the study colony. The aforementioned chick traits were then monitored and analysed at the zone scale, by comparing nests located within regulated and non-regulated zones, and at the nest scale, by recording cat abundance through intensive camera traps monitoring. This fine-scale approach further enabled us to investigate how chicks responded to southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus), an opportunistic predator-scavenger that has co-evolved with albatrosses. Cat abundances had no effect on chick traits. In contrast, higher abundances of giant petrel were associated with an elevated rate of corticosterone increase and lower triglyceride levels. In accordance with these results suggesting a more accurate perception of predation risk mediated by giant petrels than by cats, chicks were more prone to display a defensive posture when facing a giant petrel than a cat. We discuss these results in the light of contrasting evolutionary histories and predation patterns between albatrosses and their predators, and we emphasise that studies of predator impacts on prey populations must consider both the direct and indirect effects of all predators, as well as their interactions.”

Reaf more about feral cats on Kerguelen here.

Reference:

Cotton, A., Barbraud, C., Leclaire, S., Delord, K., Bodin, A., Stier, A., Ribout, C., Parenteau, C.,  Ferdy, J.-B., Bourgoin, C., White, J., Angelier, F. & Blanchard, P.2026.   Physiological and behavioural responses of wandering albatross chicks (Diomedea exulans) to novel and non-novel predators.  Journal of Comparative Physiology A doi.org/10.1007/s00359-026-01793-6.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 09 April 2026

Succulent vegetation flowering on Deen Maar Island, photograph from the

Deen Maar, also known as Lady Julia Percy Island, is located approximately 20 km south-west of Port Fairy, Victoria in Australia’s Bass Strait. European Rabbits were first introduced in 1868 to the 133-h island to provide a food source for potential shipwreck survivors.  Two years after an eradication exercise, the island, a State Faunal Reserve, has been officially declared rabbit free.  Burrowing seabirds, including Short-tailed Shearwaters Ardenna tenuirostris (90 000 pairs estimated in 1964, but only 15 000 pairs reported in 1976), Fairy Prions Pachyptila turtur, Common Diving Petrels Pelecanoides urinatrix and Little Penguins Eudyptula minor, are now reported reclaiming sites previously overrun with rabbit warrens and using the empty holes as nest sites.

“The project was delivered in phases, including the use of calicivirus, aerial baiting, and monitoring and eradication trips. After the last rabbit was controlled in late October 2023, the project team undertook two years of monitoring, helping to protect the site’s cultural heritage and native ecosystem.” (click here).  Calcivirus was administered in chopped carrots and helicopters dispersed cereal bait pellets.

News of success comes in the year ACAP has chosen “Habitat Restoration” at its theme for World Albatross Day on 19 June 2026.

The Deen Maar Island Rabbit Eradication Project was led by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in partnership with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation and Parks Victoria.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 08 April 2026

The Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary extends out to 200 nautical miles

Following a Presidential Executive Order issued in April 2025, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council took action last month to allow fishing within the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary that surrounds the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  The sanctuary is one of the world's largest marine conservation areas, declared in 2025.  It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses on Kure Atoll, photograph from the Kure Atoll Conservancy

The atolls that form a chain within the marine sanctuary are breeding sites for the bulk of the global populations of Black-footed Phoebastria nigripes and Laysan P. immutabilis Albatrosses, as well as many other seabirds.  Both albatross species are categorised as Near Threatened.

“The recommended fishing areas to open are 3 to 200 nm [nautical miles] in Papahānaumokuākea for bottomfish and pelagic fisheries only.  In Papahānaumokuākea, the 0 to 3 nm closure for all commercial fisheries and longline fishing shoreward of 50 nm would remain prohibited.  Lifting commercial fishing prohibitions would allow fisheries to operate under existing permit, reporting, gear restriction, area closure, catch limit and protected species requirements.”

The Council’s decision will now be transmitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service for further consideration through the federal process in response to Executive Order 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness”.

Read about the establishment of the marine sanctuary here.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 07 April 2026

A Waved Albatross pair, artwork by Birgit Bührlé of Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for the inaugural World Albatross Day on 19 June 2020, after a photograph by Laurie Smaglick Johnson

Jonathan Handley (BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK) and colleagues have reviewed open access in the journal Biological Conservation the intentional take of migratory seabirds for human consumption, finding records for 105 species.  For the tubenose order, Procellariiformes, it was found that 22 of 92 reviewed species were subject to take.  Three ACAP-listed species, Critically Endangered Waved Albatross Phoebastria irrorata, Vulnerable Pink-footed Shearwater Ardenna creatopus and Endangered Westland Petrel Pterodroma westlandica are recorded as subject to intentional take.

The review states that “The ACAP Working Group on Population and Conservation Status could be the most appropriate group for considering seabird take recommendations for the three ACAP-listed species with records of take.”

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Addressing the threat posed by the exploitation of migratory species is challenging because many move across national boundaries. To inform directions to tackle this threat for migratory species in the most threatened group of birds, seabirds, we conducted a global literature review to evaluate the scale and drivers of intentional take of migratory seabirds (318 of 365 species). The review follows the recent recognition that “hunting and trapping” is the fourth biggest threat to seabirds, and that the nature and severity of seabird take are poorly understood. We investigated reported population impacts, any reporting, management or enforcement measures in place, and any health risks associated with consuming seabirds. Across at least 56 countries/territories, 105 migratory species are subject to take, with adults and eggs taken most. The majority of documented take is legal or of unknown legal status and is conducted by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLC) for subsistence. Illegal take was primarily associated with poachers and fishers. A minority of records included data on the number of birds taken or the presence of management or enforcement mechanisms. While seldom documented, some seabird populations subject to take are in decline or have been extirpated. Human health risks were typically associated with IPLCs consuming seabirds with heavy metals. Similar

ly for other migratory species, key knowledge and governance gaps to understand and manage seabird take include review of species action plans, listing of species on appendices of international agreements, co-management of harvest sites, and improving monitoring to facilitate evidence-based conservation action.”

Reference:

Handley, J.M., Morten, J., Baker, G.B., Küehl-Stenzel, A., Djondo, M.K., Taylor, G.A., Ramirez, I., Frisch-Nwakanma, H., Kümpel, N. F. & Davies, T.E. 2026.  Intentional take of seabirds for human consumption: a global review to inform conservation and policy needs for migratory species.  Biological Conservation 316, doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2026.111740.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 06 April 2026

Branchline weighting options tested, from left to right: 50 g 16/0 Procella hook, 62 g 16/0 Procella hook, 14/0 weighted swivel hook (53 g total weight), Hookpod and 60 g lumo lead with 22 g 16/0 hook.  Hookpod with 22 g 16/0 hook, 60 g lumo lead, 40 g lumo lead. Note lumo leads were deployed on branchlines with 22 g 16/0 circle hooks (from the publication)

D. Goad and C Schweder-Goad (Vita Maris, New Zealand) have produced a final report for the New Zealand Department of Conservation’s Conservation Services Programme (CSP) on sink rates of weighted longline hooks.

The report’s Summary follows:

“The use of line weighting to rapidly sink baited hooks under the protection of a tori line is recognised as an effective mitigation measure to reduce the bycatch of seabirds during the deployment of pelagic longlines.

Time depth recorders (TDRs) were used to compare sink profiles of heavy hooks and hook shielding devices to established best practice line weighting configurations. Tests were conducted both from a stationary vessel and during fishing operations. Sink times to depth were slower and more variable under real-world fishing conditions than under controlled conditions.

Both 60 g and 50 g heavy hooks sank with similar profiles to the current ACAP best practice line weighting recommendations of 60 g at a metre from the hook or 40 g at half a metre. The size and density of hook shielding devices reduced sink times, particularly under fishing “conditions, indicating that the bulk of devices added to branchlines should be considered.”

Reference:

Goad, D. & Schweder-Goad, C. 2025.  Assessment of Weighted Hooks as a Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Option for Surface Longline Fisheries. MIT2024-03. Final Report.  Vita Maris.  9 pp.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 03 April 2026

An Antipodean Albatross breeds next to the megaherb,

UPDATE:

New Zealand introduced a report (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.31.2.9) to the Committee of the Whole (CoW) at the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Migratory Species on implementation of the Concerted Action for the Endangered Antipodean Albatross Diomedea antipodensis (UNEP/CMS/Concerted Action 13.12) that had been submitted by the Governments of Australia, Chile and New Zealand, noting engagement with fisheries and improved understanding with tracking tools (see below).  The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) supported the proposed Concerted Action.  The CoW then submitted the report to the COP, which formally approved the Concerted Action at its final plenary meeting on 29 March.

**************************************

The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS, also known as the Bonn Convention) is considering a report (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.31.2.9, also available in French and Spanish) on the Endangered Antipodean Albatross Diomedea antipodensis (listed on CMS Appendix I) at its Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15), being held this week in Campo Grande, Brazil.  The 16-page report on implementation of the Concerted Action for the albatross, (UNEP/CMS/Concerted Action 13.12) adopted at COP13 in 2020, has been submitted by the Governments of Australia, Chile and New Zealand.  Its Summary follows:

“This report provides the third implementation update for the Antipodean albatross Concerted Action.  Good progress towards achieving the various fisheries management and research objectives is reported.  In particular, a number of new domestic fisheries management measures have been implemented and intensive satellite tracking has identified key areas of overlap with fishing activity in the high seas.  However, progress in addressing high seas fishery bycatch (the greatest threat) remains limited and population monitoring shows no recovery.  As such, a revised Concerted Action is proposed for the next intersessional period, with a particular focus on addressing high seas fishery bycatch.”

Antipodean Albatross, artwork by Lea Finke for the inaugural World Albatross Day on 19 June 2020, after a photograph by Kirk Zufelt

The report ends with a call for action: “Given the lack of recovery of Antipodean albatross, and the slow progress in addressing the greatest threats (fisheries bycatch in the high seas), we propose an updated Concerted Action is endorsed for the next intersessional period.  The updated Concerted Action will guide and prioritise future actions, in particular towards addressing the threat of fisheries bycatch in the high seas.”

"CMS Appendix I comprises migratory species in danger of extinction in the wild throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Parties that are Range States to a migratory species listed on Appendix I endeavour to strictly protect them by prohibiting the taking of such species (including the deliberate killing, capture or disturbance), with a very restricted scope for exceptions; conserving and, where appropriate, restoring their habitats; preventing, removing or mitigating obstacles to their migration; and controlling other factors that might endanger them" (click here).

Access ACAP's report (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Inf.10.3.2) to COP15 here.  In its report ACAP welcomes the third report on the implementation of, and proposal for, a continuation of the Concerted Action for the Antipodean Albatross.  It also  notes the proposal for a Concerted Action for the Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes that links to the proposal for the listing of this species on Appendix II (read more here).

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 25 March 2026, updated 02 April 2026

Flesh-footed Shearwater in flight, photograph by Mike Double

The Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) held its Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) in Campo Grande, Brazil over 23-29 March 2026.  Australia, France and New Zealand had proposed (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.30.2.6) including the Near threatened Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes on Appendix II of the Convention (click here).

The proposal stated that the species’ “listing on Appendix II will elevate the suitability score of flesh-footed shearwater for inclusion on Annex 1 of ACAP.  A listing on Annex 1 of ACAP would further facilitate the anticipated benefits identified here as ACAP is very active in the development and promotion of best-practice seabird bycatch mitigation advice for relevant fisheries.”

During the week’s meeting, the Committee of the Whole (CoW) recommended the proposal, supported by ACAP, to add the shearwater to Appendix II be adopted by the Conference of Parties.

New Zealand then introduced the proposed Concerted Action for the Flesh-footed Shearwater (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.31.3.10), emphasizing the need for scaled-up action on the threat posed by bycatch.  ACAP supported the proposal, noting it was “well-overdue”.  The CoW forwarded both proposals to the COP for adoption.

Approved!

The Conference of Parties met in plenary on the last day of COP15 and accepted both the COW’s proposals, formally adopting the Flesh-footed Shearwater onto Appendix II and approving the proposed Concerted Action for the species.

Two shearwaters, the Critically Endangered Balearic Puffinus mauretanicus and the Vulnerable Pink-footed Ardenna creatopus, are listed on Annex 1 of the Albatross and Petrel Agreement.  Both are also listed on Appendix 1 of the Convention on Migratory Species, now joined by the Flesh-footed Shearwater.  Two earlier ACAP Monthly Missives have considered whether the Flesh-footed Shearwater should be listed by the Albatross and Petrel Agreement (click here).

At COP15, the Federal Government of Germany, depository of the Convention and host of the CMS Secretariat, offered to host COP16 in Bonn in 2029.  COP16 will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Convention, also known as the Bonn Convention, which was signed in Bonn in June 1979.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 01 April 2026

In 2021, the LIFE Raft (Rathlin Acting for Tomorrow) project began with the aim to remove feral Ferrets Mustela furo and Brown or Norway Rats Rattus norvegicus to help secure the future of Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony on inhabited 1371-ha Rathlin Island, off the north coast of County Antrim. Ferrets were released on the island in the 1980s and rats have been present since the 19th century.

“Rathlin is home to over 250 000 seabirds, including internationally important populations of Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots.  Researchers on Rathlin found one ferret was responsible for killing 27 adult birds in just two days” (click here).

“In 2025 following the successful eradication of the ferrets [formally announced in March 2026], which were preying on eggs, chicks, and adult seabirds, Manx Shearwaters were recorded breeding on the island for the first time in over two decades.  “Using night-vision technology, the LIFE Raft team captured footage of young birds ready to fledge from their burrows, providing the confirmation of Manx Shearwaters successfully nesting and raising chicks on the island.”

From the LIFE Raft Facebook page

Tthe ferrets were removed by the deployment of 600 kill and live traps. To eliminate the rats over 6500 rodenticide bait stations made of corrugated plastic piping were then placed every 50 m over the whole island, supported by volunteer teams, rope work on cliffs, field cameras, thermal drones, 28 000 wax chew blocks to detect presence and Woody, the rat detection dog.  “No ferrets have been seen on the island since Autumn of 2023 and only two rats have been seen in 2025.  The project is currently following international eradication best practice and will continue our rat eradication efforts this Winter, starting November 2025” (click here).

According to ‘Biz’ Bell of Wildlife Management International, Rathlin is the first island from which ferrets have been eliminated.

Manx Shearwater fledglings leave their Rathlin burrows at night, from the LIFE Raft Facebook page

Watch a video about the natural history of Rathlin Island, read a press release about the end of the ferrets and see an earlier ACAP Latest News article on the island’s shearwaters.

News of the project’s success comes in a year when ACAP has chosen “Habitat Restoration” as its theme for World Albatross Day on 19 June 2026.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 31 March 2026

The proposed petrels include single-island endemics and poorly known taxa.  They are mainly of low-latitude and tropical islands in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.  Four gadfly petrels are already listed on CMS Appendix I.  They are the Bermuda P. cahow, Galapagos P. phaeopygia, Hawaiian P. sandwichensis and Henderson P. atrata Petrels.

New Zealand introduced the proposal to list the gadfly petrels, noting they are “some of the rarest, most endangered, and poorly understood seabirds in the world.”  Many Parties attending COP15 expressed strong support in the Committee of the Whole (CoW).  The proposal was then submitted for adoption by the Conference of Parties, which formally adopted all the proposed taxa onto its Appendices on 30 March, the closing day of COP15.

The gadfly petrel proposal is available in English, French and Spanish (click here).

The Albatross and Petrel Agreement held a workshop in Wellington, New Zealand in 2017 with the objective of advancing understanding about best approaches for international cooperation in the conservation of Pterodroma and other small burrowing petrel species.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 30 March 2026