ALBATROSS FACE EXTINCTION DUE TO ANTARCTIC PIRATE FISHING

27 January 1999

Amsterdam/Macquarie Island -- The timeless seafaring symbol immortalised in the Coleridge poem "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" -- the albatross -- is being driven toward extinction by pirate fishing around Antarctica, Greenpeace said today.

The Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise is visiting Macquarie Island to investigate and highlight the devastating impact of the rampant illegal fishery for Patagonian toothfish and to document the impacts of the fishery on the region's remote and fragile ecosystems (1).

"Toothfish is not the only species put under threat by the fish poachers raging in the Southern Ocean," said Greenpeace campaigner Cristina Mormoruni on board the Arctic Sunrise. "The decimation of albatross and other Southern Ocean wildlife is one more reason why the out-of-control illegal toothfish fishery must be stopped".

These great ocean wanderers are the largest sea birds in the world, with a wingspan of up to 3.5 metres, and live for up to 85 years mating for life. Albatross rarely come ashore, except to lay eggs and rear their young on remote islands. Macquarie Island is one of the few sub-Antarctic islands to which albatrosses return to breed. Once they leave the nest, they spend between five and eight years at sea, often feeding in key commercial fishing grounds.

Scientists estimate that 100,000 seabirds are hooked and drowned each year by 'longline' fishing vessels such as those engaged in the goldrush illegal toothfish fishery. These vessels set lines with up to 20,000 baited hooks. Albatross and other seabirds are attracted by the bait, take the hook in their mouths as it is shot from the stern of the vessel and are pulled under the water and drowned. In just one year, the pirate fishery for Patagonian Toothfish has drowned 15% of some albatross species.

Of the 24 species of albatross, 21 are known to be killed on longlines and two species are critically endangered (2). Closest to extinction is the Amsterdam albatross, which has been reduced to between five and eight breeding pairs on the French territory of Amsterdam Island. The Wandering albatross population is down to 10 to 12 breeding pairs.

"The loss of one breeding bird of the Wandering Albatross population can potentially have significant ramification in the future. We depend on every breeding bird around here", said Aleks Terauds, scientist with Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife.

The target fish, Patagonian toothfish, is itself expected to become commercially extinct within two to three years if pirate fishing continues at its current pace and is not brought under control.

This week, ministers and officials from 24 nations are meeting in Antarctica and the illegal fishing for Patagonian Toothfish is on the agenda. The "Ministers on Ice" meeting will end Thursday 28th January.

"The countries attending the Antarctic meeting represent over 95% of the world's markets in toothfish," said Mormorunni. "The Ministers must now ensure they turn their words into action to stop the pirate plunder and the killing of seabirds like the albatross. If they are serious about protecting Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean, these politicians must take steps immediately to ban imports of illegally caught toothfish into their countries".

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Cristina Mormoruni, Greenpeace International, on board the Arctic Sunrise, satellite phone +872 130 2577 ($10 per min.)
- Matt Gianni, Greenpeace International, +31 20 52 36 279 (Amsterdam)
- Luisa Colasimone, Greenpeace Communications, +31 20 52 49 546 or mobile +31 6 53 66 29 70

Visuals available from Greenpeace Communications, +31 20 52 49 543 (footage) or 580 (stills)
Maps of the region are also available upon request from Greenpeace Communications

(1) Macquarie Island is a sub-Antarctic island located in the Southern Ocean at a latitude of 54 degrees 30 minutes south, 158 degrees 57 minutes east. Part of the state of Tasmania, it is 1500 kilometres south east of the island of Tasmania and 1300 kilometres north of the Antarctic continent.

It is home to a large variety of wildlife including: Elephant Seals, Fur Seals, Royal Penguins, King Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Rockhopper Penguins, Albatross.

Macquarie Island has four species of albatross: the wandering albatross (10 breeding pairs), Black Browed albatross (38 breeding pairs), Grey Headed albatross and Light Mantled Sooty albatross. It also has both species of Giant Petrel -- the Southern and Northern Giant Petrel. These large birds are also at risk from longline fishing.

Australia gave the island protected status after internationally-renowned polar explorer Sir Douglas Mawson voiced his concern in 1919 about the threats to the island's seal and penguin colonies.

(2) Conservation status of the various species of albatross. This list is taken from Croxall and Gales (in press) cited in Alexander, Robertson and Gales (1997).

Critically Endangered: Amsterdam albatross, Chatham albatross

Endangered: Northern Royal albatross, Tristan albatross

Vulnerable: Antipodean albatross, Gibson's albatross, Wandering albatross, Black-footed albatross, Short-tailed albatross, Campbell albatross, Pacific albatross, Salvin's albatross, White-capped albatross, Indian yellow-nosed albatross, Buller's albatross, Grey-headed albatross, Shy albatross, Sooty albatross, Southern Royal albatross, Waved albatross

Near Threatened: Black Browed albatross

Least Concern: Laysan albatross

Data Deficient: Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, Light-mantled albatross.