Seabirds are exquisitely adapted to life on the ocean. Like the far-ranging Laysan Albatross and Black-capped Petrel, most seabirds spend a large part of their lives over the open water, far from human habitation. As a group, seabirds are among the world's most endangered birds. For example, 15 of 22 species of albatross are threatened with extinction.
These remarkable birds deserve our every effort to conserve them. Many seabirds, like Waved Albatross, mate for life and can live for 60 years or more. Sadly, few reach such old age.
ABC's Marine Program protects and restores seabird populations across the Western Hemisphere through innovation, partnerships, conservation planning, and direct action. We work with three central ideas for marine conservation:
Safe Havens for Marine Birds
The establishment of fenced or protected breeding colonies free of introduced predators is among the most effective of seabird restoration techniques and facilitates and enhances additional conservation measures such as social attraction and translocation. ABC is committed to finding and protecting areas appropriate for the long-term maintenance of communities of seabirds and other compatible species, and collaborative work in invasive species removal, social attraction, and translocation. (Photo: Laysan Albatross by Cameron Rutt)
For example, ABC and partners have built a predator-proof fence around seven acres within Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in Hawai‘i. More than 100 Hawaiian Petrel and Newell’s Shearwater have been moved there to establish a new colony. (Photo: Jessica Behnke) Read more.
For Critically Endangered species such as the Black-capped Petrel, strategic conservation plans and resulting actions are essential. ABC has been a key partner in protecting nesting sites for the species in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. We now seek to restore islands in the Caribbean to a state that can once again support breeding Black-capped Petrels.
Sustainable Seascapes
Fisher commitment to the protection of marine bird populations is dependent on the economic viability of tools we offer to reduce bycatch. ABC is committed to the innovation and expansion of bycatch reduction tools and programs that are effective in working seascapes. (Photo: Daniela Schroeder/Shutterstock)
ABC has helped to develop techniques that reduce fisheries’ impacts to Waved Albatross and other birds; for example, by limiting the amount of time fishing lines are exposed in the water, where they attract and hook seabirds. This simple technique is now being used in the small boat artisanal hake fisheries in Ecuador. (Photo: Matt Tilghman) Read more.
Storm-petrels are among the smallest and least known of seabirds. ABC has made conservation gains for the Markham’s and Ringed Storm-Petrel by partnering with Chilean biologists to find and protect nesting sites, as well as to reduce threats to the birds. Lights are a particular hazard, as they disorient the night-flying birds traveling from inland breeding grounds to ocean foraging areas. We are working to reduce the impacts of night lighting and to establish national policies to protect all wildlife from unnecessary lights. (Photo: Pete Morris) Read more.
Kinship
As sailors have made our way around the globe seabirds have always been nearby. They have been a part of human exploration of the ocean from the start, icons of the comedy, grace, and challenge of a life at sea. They have been our teachers of geography and guides home. They help us find fish, and read the weather. And while seabirds are long-revered by sailors, they are nearly invisible to the majority of people. Seabirds need ambassadors and storytellers who know them and the problems they face. (Photo: Jo Crebbin/Shutterstock)
As a part of ABC’s 2024 Conservation and Justice Fellowships, the Marine Program will be exploring the kinship between maritime peoples and seabirds as a fundamental part of marine conservation.
