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Statistical assessment of Southern Ocean seabirds

A statistical assessment of the status and trends of Antarctic and Subantarctic seabirds Woehler EJ, Cooper J, Croxall JP, Fraser WR, Kooyman GL, Miller GD, Nel DC, Patterson DL, Peter H-U, Ribic CA, Salwicka K, Trivelpiece WZ & Weimerskirch H

ABSTRACT

A workshop held under the auspices of SCAR, CCAMLR & NSF in Montana in May 1999 examined statistically all available long-term population data for Southern Ocean seabirds.

For the workshop, long-term was defined as either: i) continuous for more than 10 years, or ii) discontinuous for more than 10 years, but with more than 50% coverage.

A total of 61 long-term data sets for 25 taxa was examined. Species and regional syntheses were undertaken where data permitted. Significant decreases in populations are evident for those species known to be caught on longline fisheries (albatrosses, Southern Giant Petrels and Procellaria spp.).Substantial changes were noted for many of the penguin populations examined, but these varied in terms of degree and direction among species and geographical areas, so that no completely consistent overall pattern emerged. However, decreases in all penguins other than King Penguins in the Subantarctic was a feature of the data.

For some species of unfavourable conservation status (BirdLife International 2000) very limited, if any, data are available for assessment of population trends (eg Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena, White-chinned Petrel, Spectacled Petrel P. conspicillata and Grey Petrel P. cinerea). Other species with notably inadequate data include Light-mantled and Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. No time-series population data appear to exist for Antarctic Petrels, a species that is endemic to the Antarctic continent and adjacent waters. Other characteristic Antarctic species for which there is little current population monitoring include Cape and Snow Petrels and Southern Fulmar. Priorities for collateral data to assist future assessments, for other analytical techniques and for additional data are indicated.

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Dr Eric J Woehler Chair,
SCAR Bird Biology Subcommittee Australian Antarctic Division
Channel Highway, Kingston Tasmania 7050 AUSTRALIA
ph 03 6232 3376 (Int +613 6232 3376)
fax 03 6232 3351 (Int +613 6232 3351)
Eric.Woehler@aad.gov.au
http://www.scar.org/