Phoebastria albatrus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	Procellariiformes	Diomedeidae

Scientific Name:

Phoebastria albatrus

Species Authority:

(Pallas, 1769)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Short-tailed Albatross

Synonym/s:

Diomedea albatrus

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

BirdLife International

Evaluator/s:

Butchart, S. (BirdLife International Red List Authority), Small, C. & Sullivan, B. (BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme)

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because, although conservation efforts have resulted in a steady population increase, it still has a very small breeding range, limited to Torishima and Minami-kojima (Senkaku Islands), rendering it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2005	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2003	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Endangered
1988	–	Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Phoebastria albatrus breeds on Torishima (Japan), and Minami-kojima (Senkaku Islands), that are claimed jointly by Japan, mainland China and Chinese Taipei. Historically there are believed to have been at least nine colonies south of Japan and in the East China Sea ³. Its marine range covers most of the northern Pacific Ocean, but it occurs in highest densities in areas of upwelling along shelf waters of the Pacific Rim, particularly along the coasts of Japan, eastern Russia, the Aleutians and Alaska ^3,4. During breeding (December - May) it is found in highest densities around Japan. Satellite tracking has indicated that during the post-breeding period, females spend more time offshore of Japan and Russia, while males and juveniles spend greater time around the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and off the coast of North America⁴. The species declined dramatically during the 19th and 20th centuries owing to exploitation for feathers, and was believed extinct in 1949, until rediscovered in 1951. The current population is estimated, via direct counts and modelling based on productivity data, to be 2,364 individuals, with 1,922 birds on Torishima and 442 birds on Minami-kojima⁵.
Countries:	Native: Canada; China; Japan; Korea, Republic of; Mexico; Taiwan, Province of China; United States; United States Minor Outlying Islands
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Pacific – eastern central; Pacific – northwest; Pacific – northeast; Pacific – western central
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	At the end of the 2006-2007 breeding season, the global population was estimated to be 2,364 individuals, with 1,922 birds on Torishima and 442 birds on Minami-kojima (Senkaku Islands). This includes direct observation of breeding pairs on Torishima, an assumption on numbers of non-breeding birds, and an estimate for the Minami-kojima population that is based upon a 2002 estimate and an assumption of population growth rate, which, together, puts the Minami-kojima population at about 15% of the global population⁵.
Population Trend:	Increasing

Population:

At the end of the 2006-2007 breeding season, the global population was estimated to be 2,364 individuals, with 1,922 birds on Torishima and 442 birds on Minami-kojima (Senkaku Islands). This includes direct observation of breeding pairs on Torishima, an assumption on numbers of non-breeding birds, and an estimate for the Minami-kojima population that is based upon a 2002 estimate and an assumption of population growth rate, which, together, puts the Minami-kojima population at about 15% of the global population⁵.

Population Trend:

Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Historically, it preferred level, open, areas adjacent to tall clumps of the grass Miscanthus sinensis for nesting. It feeds mainly on squid and has been recorded following ships to feed on scraps and fish offal.
Systems:	Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Its historical decline was caused by exploitation. Today, the key threats are the instability of soil on its main breeding site (Torishima), the threat of mortality and habitat loss from the active volcano on Torishima, and mortality caused by fisheries. Torishima is also vulnerable to other natural disasters, such as typhoons. Introduced predators are a potential threat at colonies. Environmental contaminants at sea (oil based compounds) may also be a threat⁵. Threats at sea (fisheries, oil pollution) are exacerbated by the fact that birds concentrate into predictable hotspots³.

Major Threat(s):

Its historical decline was caused by exploitation. Today, the key threats are the instability of soil on its main breeding site (Torishima), the threat of mortality and habitat loss from the active volcano on Torishima, and mortality caused by fisheries. Torishima is also vulnerable to other natural disasters, such as typhoons. Introduced predators are a potential threat at colonies. Environmental contaminants at sea (oil based compounds) may also be a threat⁵. Threats at sea (fisheries, oil pollution) are exacerbated by the fact that birds concentrate into predictable hotspots³.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation actions underway: It is legally protected in Japan, Canada and the USA. A draft recovery plan has been developed². Mitigation measures are required in the Alaska demersal longline fishery and in the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery. Streamer lines (both heavy weight lines for large boats and lightweight lines for smaller vessels) have been designed to keep birds from longline hooks as they are set, and these are being distributed free to the Alaskan longline fleet². In 2006, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission passed a measure which requires large tuna and swordfish longline vessels (>24m long) to use a combination of two seabird bycatch mitigation measures when fishing north of 23 degrees North. Torishima has been established as a National Wildlife Protection Area. In 1981-1982, native plants were transplanted into the Torishima nesting colony, in order to stabilise the nesting habitat and the nest structures. This has enhanced breeding success, with over 60% of eggs now resulting in fledged young. Decoys have been used to attract birds to nest at another site on Torishima and the first pair started breeding at this new site in November 1995. The number of chicks fledged from this new colony has increased from one chick in 2004; four chicks in 2005; 13 chicks in 2006; 16 chicks in 2007. In October-November 2007, 35 eggs were laid at this new site. In 2007, the Japanese government approved a project to translocate chicks from Torishima to Mukojima, 300km away. If successful, this project will translocate at least ten chicks per year for five years. Conservation actions proposed: Continue to promote measures designed to protect this species from becoming hooked or entangled by commercial fishing gear. Re-establish birds within historic range as insurance against natural disasters on primary breeding colony. Promote conservation measures for the Minami-kojima population. Continue research into the at-sea distribution and marine habitat use through satellite telemetry studies. Continue land-based management and population monitoring.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation actions underway:

It is legally protected in Japan, Canada and the USA. A draft recovery plan has been developed². Mitigation measures are required in the Alaska demersal longline fishery and in the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery. Streamer lines (both heavy weight lines for large boats and lightweight lines for smaller vessels) have been designed to keep birds from longline hooks as they are set, and these are being distributed free to the Alaskan longline fleet². In 2006, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission passed a measure which requires large tuna and swordfish longline vessels (>24m long) to use a combination of two seabird bycatch mitigation measures when fishing north of 23 degrees North. Torishima has been established as a National Wildlife Protection Area. In 1981-1982, native plants were transplanted into the Torishima nesting colony, in order to stabilise the nesting habitat and the nest structures. This has enhanced breeding success, with over 60% of eggs now resulting in fledged young. Decoys have been used to attract birds to nest at another site on Torishima and the first pair started breeding at this new site in November 1995. The number of chicks fledged from this new colony has increased from one chick in 2004; four chicks in 2005; 13 chicks in 2006; 16 chicks in 2007. In October-November 2007, 35 eggs were laid at this new site. In 2007, the Japanese government approved a project to translocate chicks from Torishima to Mukojima, 300km away. If successful, this project will translocate at least ten chicks per year for five years.

Conservation actions proposed:

Continue to promote measures designed to protect this species from becoming hooked or entangled by commercial fishing gear. Re-establish birds within historic range as insurance against natural disasters on primary breeding colony. Promote conservation measures for the Minami-kojima population. Continue research into the at-sea distribution and marine habitat use through satellite telemetry studies. Continue land-based management and population monitoring.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Phoebastria albatrus. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 November 2009.
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