Thalassarche eremita

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PROCELLARIIFORMES	DIOMEDEIDAE

Scientific Name:

Thalassarche eremita

Species Authority:

Murphy, 1930

Common Name/s:

English

–

Chatham Albatross

Taxonomic Notes:

Diomedea cauta (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into cauta, eremita and salvini following Brooke (2004) and steadi following ACAP (2006) and all placed in the genus Thalassarche following Brooke (2004).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Bell, B., Bell, D., McClellan, R., Molloy, J., Moore, P., Robertson, C., Scofield, P., Stahl, J., Taylor, G. & Walker, K.

Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable as it has a very small breeding range, being restricted to one breeding site (The Pyramid), rendering it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts.

History:

2010	–	Vulnerable
2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2007	–	Critically Endangered
2005	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2003	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Thalassarche eremita breeds only on The Pyramid, a large rock stack in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Aerial photographs indicated that the breeding population was between 3,200 and 4,200 pairs (Croxall and Gales 1998), but ground counts between 1999-2003 and in 2007 revealed c.5,300 occupied sites (Robertson et al. 2003, C. J. R. Robertson in litt. 2008). Counts in recent years and aerial photographs from 1973, 1974 and 1991 suggest that the population is stable (ACAP 2009). Satellite tracking (1997-1999) and other observations indicate that it disperses within the south Pacific Ocean west to Tasmania and east to Chile and Peru. During April-July (the non-breeding season) birds migrate to the south-west coast of South America and transit northwards with the Humboldt Current into Peruvian coastal waters, as far north as 6°S (Robertson et al. 2003, BirdLife International 2004). Up to 90% of the wintering time (3-4 months) is spent in the territorial waters of Chile and Peru, which, based on at-sea data collected between 1980 and 1995, support c.73% of the estimated global population (Spear et al. 2003, BirdLife International 2004) (3,900-6,790 birds were estimated to be using the Humboldt Current each autumn, with very few there during the spring) (Spear et al. 2003). An estimated 1,200-1,500 chicks fledged each year between 1993 and 1995, 2,100 of which were banded (Croxall and Gales 1998).
Countries:	Native: American Samoa (American Samoa); Australia; Chile; Cook Islands; French Polynesia; New Zealand; Niue; Peru; Wallis and Futuna Vagrant: Antarctica Present - origin uncertain: New Caledonia; Norfolk Island
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Ground counts between 1999-2003 revealed c.5,300 occupied sites (Robertson et al. 2003), and further counts in 2007 and 2010 gave similar figures (5,247 and 5,245 occupied sites, respectively) (Robertson in litt. 2008, Fraser et al. 2011). This gives a total estimated global population of c.11,000 mature individuals, roughly equating to c.16,000 individuals in total.
Population Trend:	Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Behaviour Eggs are laid September-October, hatching November-December and fledging in March-April (Marchant and Higgins 1990). The earliest recorded breeding age is seven years, but birds return to the colony at the age of four (ACAP 2009). Habitat Breeding It usually nests on rocky ledges and steep slopes. At sea the species appears to be largely pelagic, showing less preference for waters along the continental shelf than congeners. Diet The diet has not been well studied but it is thought to feed mostly on cephalopods and fish (Marchant and Higgins 1990).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Behaviour Eggs are laid September-October, hatching November-December and fledging in March-April (Marchant and Higgins 1990). The earliest recorded breeding age is seven years, but birds return to the colony at the age of four (ACAP 2009). Habitat Breeding It usually nests on rocky ledges and steep slopes. At sea the species appears to be largely pelagic, showing less preference for waters along the continental shelf than congeners. Diet The diet has not been well studied but it is thought to feed mostly on cephalopods and fish (Marchant and Higgins 1990).

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	In 1985, a reduction in the extent and condition of vegetation on the islet occurred due to an extreme storm, with a resultant loss of soil cover. As a result, there was an increased probability of nest collapse, due to reduced moisture retention (Croxall and Gales 1998), though the impact was not as severe as that on Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi on the Sisters and Forty-Fours Islands (P. Scofield in litt..2007). Since 1998, there has been some improvement in soil and vegetation cover (Robertson et al. 2003). Parts of the colony that have been exposed to recent storms have had very low productivity (Croxall and Gales 1998), although overall c.60% of nests hatched young between 1997-2000 (Robertson et al. 2003). Mortality has been recorded in pelagic and demersal longline fisheries in New Zealand (New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries 2007), with one incident involving 12 birds among 36 albatrosses killed by one longline vessel in the Chatham Rise area in 2007 (Anon 2007). Birds also attend trawlers off both the east (mainly) and west coast (rarely) of New Zealand, and have been caught in trawl wires. Three banded or tagged birds have been reported as caught by coastal longline fisheries in Chile and Peru, 1995-1999 (Robertson et al. 2003), and mortality levels in these regions are potentially the most serious threat to the species. Illegal harvesting of chicks may occur occasionally and, although numbers are apparently small, this may have some effect on the population (Taylor 2000).

Major Threat(s):

In 1985, a reduction in the extent and condition of vegetation on the islet occurred due to an extreme storm, with a resultant loss of soil cover. As a result, there was an increased probability of nest collapse, due to reduced moisture retention (Croxall and Gales 1998), though the impact was not as severe as that on Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi on the Sisters and Forty-Fours Islands (P. Scofield in litt..2007). Since 1998, there has been some improvement in soil and vegetation cover (Robertson et al. 2003). Parts of the colony that have been exposed to recent storms have had very low productivity (Croxall and Gales 1998), although overall c.60% of nests hatched young between 1997-2000 (Robertson et al. 2003). Mortality has been recorded in pelagic and demersal longline fisheries in New Zealand (New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries 2007), with one incident involving 12 birds among 36 albatrosses killed by one longline vessel in the Chatham Rise area in 2007 (Anon 2007). Birds also attend trawlers off both the east (mainly) and west coast (rarely) of New Zealand, and have been caught in trawl wires. Three banded or tagged birds have been reported as caught by coastal longline fisheries in Chile and Peru, 1995-1999 (Robertson et al. 2003), and mortality levels in these regions are potentially the most serious threat to the species. Illegal harvesting of chicks may occur occasionally and, although numbers are apparently small, this may have some effect on the population (Taylor 2000).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway ACAP Annex 1. In 1995 detailed population studies commenced, and a five year study funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries began in 2006. The islet is privately owned (Taylor 2000). In 2008 New Zealand government introduced compulsory measures to mitigate the effects of long-lining on seabirds. Conservation Actions Proposed Continue accurate ground census over three consecutive years. Repeat census at five-year intervals. Correlate aerial and ground counts. Resolve issue of chick harvesting with local community. Discuss protection options with the owners of The Pyramid. Develop and effectively implement mitigation techniques to minimise fisheries bycatch, particularly by longliners.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
ACAP Annex 1. In 1995 detailed population studies commenced, and a five year study funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries began in 2006. The islet is privately owned (Taylor 2000). In 2008 New Zealand government introduced compulsory measures to mitigate the effects of long-lining on seabirds.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue accurate ground census over three consecutive years. Repeat census at five-year intervals. Correlate aerial and ground counts. Resolve issue of chick harvesting with local community. Discuss protection options with the owners of The Pyramid. Develop and effectively implement mitigation techniques to minimise fisheries bycatch, particularly by longliners.

Bibliography [top]

	ACAP. 2009. ACAP Species Assessment: Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita. Available at: #http://www.acap.aq/acap-species/download-document/1197-chatham-albatross#. Anon. 2007. Chatham Albatross slaughter. World Birdwatch 29(4): 3. BirdLife International. 2004. Tracking ocean wanderers: the global distribution of albatrosses and petrels. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K. BirdLife International. 2008. Killer mice bring albatross population closer to extinction. Available at: #http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/gough_island.html#. Croxall, J. P.; Gales, R. 1998. Assessment of the conservation status of albatrosses. In: Robertson, G.; Gales, R. (ed.), Albatross biology and conservation, pp. 46-65. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, Australia. Fraser, M.; Henderson, G.; Robertson, C. J. R.;Scofield, P. 2011. Population dynamics of the Chatham Mollymawk at The Pyramid, 19 November - 2 December 2010. IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012). Marchant, S.; Higgins, P. J. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, 1: ratites to ducks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries. 2007. More measures for seabird protection. Robertson, C. J. R.; Bell, D.; Sinclair, N.; Bell, B. D. 2003. Distribution of seabirds from New Zealand that overlap with fisheries worldwide. Spear, L. B.; Ainley, D. G.; Webb, S. W. 2003. Distribution, abundance and behaviour of Buller's, Chatham Island and Salvin's Albatrosses off Chile and Peru. Ibis 145: 253-269. Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

ACAP. 2009. ACAP Species Assessment: Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita. Available at: #http://www.acap.aq/acap-species/download-document/1197-chatham-albatross#.

Anon. 2007. Chatham Albatross slaughter. World Birdwatch 29(4): 3.

BirdLife International. 2004. Tracking ocean wanderers: the global distribution of albatrosses and petrels. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

BirdLife International. 2008. Killer mice bring albatross population closer to extinction. Available at: #http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/gough_island.html#.

Croxall, J. P.; Gales, R. 1998. Assessment of the conservation status of albatrosses. In: Robertson, G.; Gales, R. (ed.), Albatross biology and conservation, pp. 46-65. Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, Australia.

Fraser, M.; Henderson, G.; Robertson, C. J. R.;Scofield, P. 2011. Population dynamics of the Chatham Mollymawk at The Pyramid, 19 November - 2 December 2010.

IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012).

Marchant, S.; Higgins, P. J. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, 1: ratites to ducks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries. 2007. More measures for seabird protection.

Robertson, C. J. R.; Bell, D.; Sinclair, N.; Bell, B. D. 2003. Distribution of seabirds from New Zealand that overlap with fisheries worldwide.

Spear, L. B.; Ainley, D. G.; Webb, S. W. 2003. Distribution, abundance and behaviour of Buller's, Chatham Island and Salvin's Albatrosses off Chile and Peru. Ibis 145: 253-269.

Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Thalassarche eremita. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
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