South Africa Joins Treaty to Protect Rare Sea Birds

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South Africa Joins Treaty to Protect Rare Sea Birds

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SOUTH AFRICA: November 7, 2003

 

 

CANBERRA - South Africa joined four other countries yesterday in a global

treaty to protect some of the world's rarest sea birds - the majestic

albatrosses and giant petrels - from extinction, Australian officials said.

 

 

 

Australia has led a campaign to conserve Southern Hemisphere albatrosses and

petrels, whose numbers have fallen in recent years due to several threats,

with New Zealand, Ecuador, Spain and now South Africa joining the battle in

recent years.

 

Australian Environment Minister David Kemp said the birds were at risk from

pollution, over-fishing of their prey and the increasing practice of

longline fishing in southern oceans when the birds become hooked on bait

attached to longlines and drown.

 

" The greatest threat is ensnarement in long-line fishing operations.

Scientists estimate that thousands of seabirds have been killed from

long-line fishing practices in the Southern Hemisphere in the past three

years, " Kemp said in a statement.

 

He welcomed South Africa's signing of the treaty by the High Commissioner to

Australia, Ian Wilcock, at a Canberra ceremony.

 

Australia will act as interim secretariat for the agreement until the

parties meet next year and determine a location of a permanent secretariat.

 

Kemp said the treaty would take effect from February 1, 2004, and allow

members to implement an action plan to protect critical habitats and control

threatening non-native species.

 

The group also plans to introduce measures to reduce the incidental catch of

seabirds in long-line fisheries and support research into conservation of

the birds.

 

There are only about 150 breeding populations of albatross around the globe

and two species of giant petrels, both of which are in decline, although

specific figures were unavailable.

 

Albatrosses are the world's largest flying birds, weighing up to 26.4 pounds

with a wingspan that can reach 11.5 feet, and can spend up to eight years at

sea after leaving the nest, flying thousands of miles in search of food.

 

 

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE