The Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) is a large seabird that breeds on islands in the North Pacific Ocean. This iconic bird has a wingspan of over 6 feet and can live for over 50 years. However, the Black-footed Albatross faces several threats that have caused its population to decline in recent decades. Some key questions about the conservation status of this species include:
Is the Black-footed Albatross currently endangered?
The Black-footed Albatross is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. This means it is close to qualifying for endangered status. Its population has decreased by over 65% since the 1950s. However, its global population is still relatively large at around 200,000 mature individuals. So while it is not currently endangered, its declining population is a major cause for concern.
What are the major threats facing the Black-footed Albatross?
The Black-footed Albatross faces a number of anthropogenic threats, both on its breeding colonies and at sea:
– Habitat degradation – Nesting colonies have been impacted by invasive species, human disturbance, and sea level rise reducing available nesting habitat.
– Fisheries bycatch – Albatrosses frequently get caught on fishing hooks and drown when lines are set out by commercial fisheries. Up to 10,000 are killed annually this way.
– Plastic pollution – Albatrosses often mistake floating plastic for food. Plastic ingestion can injure or kill albatrosses.
– Oil spills – Oil spills near breeding colonies can contaminate albatross nests and poisoning chicks. The Exxon Valdez spill killed thousands in 1989.
– Predation – Human introduction of non-native predators like rats, mice, and feral cats has increased chick mortality on some breeding islands.
How has the population changed over time?
The global population of Black-footed Albatrosses has declined substantially since the middle of the 20th century:
– 1950s – Estimated 839,000 mature individuals
– 1992 – Estimated 552,000 mature individuals (34% decline since 1950s)
– 2018 – Estimated 200,000 mature individuals (65% decline since 1950s)
This represents an overall population decline of over 65% in the past 60 years. The rate of decline appears to have accelerated in recent decades.
Which populations are most at risk?
The Black-footed Albatross has breeding colonies across the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, and along the west coast of North America. The most at risk populations are:
– Midway Atoll – Historically the largest colony, but has declined by over 35% since 1992 due to habitat loss and predation.
– Laysan Island – Second largest colony has declined by 22% since 1992, though less rapidly than Midway.
– Colonies in Japan – Have seen dramatic declines of 80-90% since the 1950s due to habitat loss and fisheries bycatch.
Midway and Laysan remain the core breeding sites, but all colonies require close monitoring and conservation measures.
Status Details
IUCN Red List Status
The IUCN Red List assesses the extinction risk of species globally. It lists the Black-footed Albatross as Near Threatened with a decreasing population trend. It does not currently meet the criteria for an Endangered listing, but requires continued monitoring.
Population Size and Trend
The current global population is estimated at around 200,000 mature individuals, having declined from an estimated 839,000 in the 1950s. Population trends include:
– 1950s – Estimated 839,000 individuals
– 1992 – Estimated 552,000 individuals (34% decline since 1950s)
– 2002 – Estimated 276,000 individuals (50% decline since 1992)
– 2018 – Estimated 200,000 individuals (28% decline since 2002, 65% decline since 1950s)
The overall 65% decline over 60 years meets the threshold for Vulnerable status, but other factors influence the Near Threatened listing.
Geographic Range
The breeding range spans across multiple regions:
– Hawaiian Islands – Laysan, Midway Atoll, and other smaller islands
– Japan – Torishima, Minami-kojima, and Senkaku islands
– North America – Islands off California and Mexico
The foraging range extends across the entire northern Pacific Ocean. The wide range provides some buffer against threats.
Population Concentration
The population is concentrated at a small number of breeding sites, especially Midway Atoll and Laysan Island which together account for 65% of the global population. Concentration at a limited number of sites makes the species more vulnerable to threats.
Fragmentation and Fluctuations
There is little population fragmentation across the Pacific range. However, the population shows substantial fluctuations at colony sites due to changes in food availability and breeding habitat. For example, Midway Atoll declined 35% from 1992 to 2002 due to habitat loss and predation.
Conservation Actions
Several conservation actions are in place or proposed to protect Black-footed Albatrosses:
Monitoring and Research
– Regular population surveys monitor trends at key breeding colonies. Satellite tracking and at-sea surveys provide data on foraging range.
– Research into fisheries bycatch mitigation measures to reduce drowning on hooks.
– Study diet and plastic ingestion to understand health impacts.
Habitat Protection
– Predator control programs remove invasive rats and mice at colonies.
– Restrict human activity near breeding sites during nesting season.
– Habitat restoration through removal of invasive plants.
Reducing Bycatch
– Regulations requiring use of bird-scaring lines on fishing vessels to prevent albatross bycatch.
– Setting guidelines for number of allowable bycatch deaths per vessel.
– Research into hook design and fishing techniques to reduce bycatch.
Plastic Pollution Mitigation
– Cleanup projects near colonies to reduce plastic ingestion.
– Advocating for policies to reduce plastic waste entering oceans.
Legal Protections
– Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2015 as threatened.
– Protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
– Japan and Canada have adopted national plans for albatross conservation.
Conclusion
In summary, the Black-footed Albatross is currently Near Threatened and experiencing ongoing population declines. Key threats include fisheries bycatch, plastic ingestion, habitat degradation, and predation. While not currently Endangered, the concentration of the majority of the global population at just two breeding sites makes this species highly vulnerable. Continued monitoring and conservation efforts are needed to halt population declines and prevent endangered status in the future. With sustained commitment to evidence-based protections, it is possible to bring this iconic seabird back from the brink.