📋 Tender Overview
In Peru, Albatros and Petreles are found in the National Reserves of Paracas; Nasca dorsal; Tropical Grau Sea and Islands, Islets and Guaneras System.Photo credit: Fernando Angulo Pratolongo
On June 19, World Albatros Day is celebrated by conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts as an opportunity to raise awareness about the conservation crisis faced by these emblematic Ocean birds. This years commemoration seeks to make visible the impact that diseases have and in particular the high pathogenicity avian influenza (avian flu), on vulnerable populations of albatros and petreles.
Albatros and Petreles, which are recognized for their notable long distance flights, play a crucial role in the maintenance of the health of marine ecosystems. As top predators, they feed on fish, squid and other marine organisms. By excreting the nutrients obtained from these dams, they contribute to the natural recycling of nutrients in the ocean. In addition, they act as marine health indicators: a decrease in their populations usually points out changes in fishery resources or broader environmental problems, such as climate change or pollution. The albatros are true sentries of our oceans: if they are in danger, it is a sign that the entire marine ecosystem is under stress.
Albatros are among the most threatened groups of birds in the world: 15 of the 22 species are currently classified as critically threatened, in danger or vulnerable according to the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Albatros face important threats such as incidental capture in industrial fisheries, invasive species in their areas of reproduction, chemical pollution and plastics, in addition to climate change, explains Dr. Laura Roberts, veterinarian of the Department of Agriculture of the Province of the Western Cape, South Africa.
Currently, with the global outbreak of aviar flu, these majestic birds face a convergence of unprecedented threats that is leading to many species even closer to extinction. We are seeing a perfect threat storm, says Dr. Marcela Uhart, Wildlife Health expert at the University of California, Davis, USA. The need for a global conservation action, coordinated and based on science has never been more urgent.
Even before the appearance of aviar flu, other infectious diseases were already affecting sea birds worldwide. The Yellow Nose Albatros of the Indian on the Amsterdam Island have faced recurring outbreaks of avian cholera, a bacterial disease, since the mid -80s, says Dr. Amandine Gamble, an ecologist of infectious diseases at the University of Cornell, New York, USA. The avian flu represents an additional threat to these already weakened populations, he adds. Other infectious diseases that affect Albatros and Petreles include, for example, Poxvirus.
Albatros and Petreles, many of which are reproduced in colonies with a high density of individuals, are particularly vulnerable to pathogens. Once the aviar flu reaches a colony of sea birds, our ability to reduce mortality is extremely limited, warns Patricia Serafini, an environmental analyst at the National Pesquisis Center and Wild Bird Conservation (Cemave) in Brazil and co-coordinator of the working group on populations and state of conservation of the ACAP. We must do everything possible to prevent its spread, while addressing other conservation threats for which there are already available mitigation measures.
World Albatros Day reminds us of the multiple and intertwined threats facing marine life. Protecting albatros and Petreles is not just saving beautiful birds, but it is also to protect the natural balance of the oceans who inhabit, says Patricia Serafini.
Albatros and Petreles live throughout the ocean, so we can find them in the National Reserves of Paracas; Nasca dorsal; Tropical Grau Sea and Islands, Islets and Guaneras System, among other Marine-Costera Protected Natural Areas. In Peru, the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp), an agency assigned to the Ministry of Environment of Peru, has identified the importance of conserving the albatros, together with the Petreles, and also protecting their habitat, so it is building the Relative Abundance Monitoring Protocol for Albatros and Petreles in the Nasca National Reserve.
Accompany us this June 19 to celebrate World Albatros Day and advocate for the protection of these extraordinary centinelas of the sea. For more information on how to participate and support conservation efforts, visit: https://www.acap.aq/
The data
The agreement for the conservation of Albatros y Petreles (Acap) is an intergovernmental initiative focused on conserving AlbatRos and Petreles through the coordination of international efforts to address threats to their populations. The Acap opened to the firm on June 19, 2001 and entered into force in February 2004. Currently, the agreement covers the 22 species of albatros and 9 species of Petreles. The Acap has 13 parts and its secretariat is based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
