Bio 227: 1: The Albatross Around Our Necks

Bryce Aston, Bio 227

The Albatross Around Our Neck:

Saving the short-tailed albatross

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Description and Ecology:

Imagine the tallest person you know. Maybe a friend, a sibling, your mother or father. That person is probably anywhere from 6' to 6'10". Now imagine a bird...with a wingspan wider than that person is tall. What you're imagining is our friend the short-tailed albatross. These massive birds are known for being the largest seabirds in the Northern Pacific. The complete extent of their range consists of most of the temperate and subarctic Northern Pacific, including the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

The rarity of these birds can be seen in many aspects of their lives.
In particular, it is notable that today, there are only two active breeding locations left for the birds: Minami-kojima Island and Torishima Island, Japan. To make the situation even more precarious, one of those islands an active volcano!

Short-tailed albatrosses are known for being beautiful birds, with white and black plumage and light pink bills that make them distinct from other species of albatross. They reproduce slowly and live long lives; each mating pair lays one egg in the fall, and by June the young albatross is ready to head out to feeding areas in the Pacific. These birds mostly eat squid, fish, and shrimps. Because of their aquatic diet and their powerful wings, albatrosses are able to - and have been known to - not touch land for months if they are not breeding!

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The short-tailed albatross was
one of thousands of birds hunted
specifically for the feather trade
for hats such as this one.

Geographic and population changes:

The short-tailed albatross has had quite the tumultuous past. In the past, short-tailed albatrosses lived by the millions across the pacific and in the islands of Japan, and were probably the most prolific of the three species of albatross found in their range (the other two species are the black-footed albatross and the Laysan albatross.)

However, during the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the albatross became one of many birds hunted for the blossoming feather trade, which supplied plumage for all ranges of headwear and clothing. The exploitation of the albatrosses was so complete that by the middle of the 20th century, they were nearly extinct.

In summer of 2008, the existing population of short-tailed albatrosses was listed at 2400 with between 400 and 450 mating couples. This was a massive shift from their prevalence in the past, and these numbers make it quite clear the the short-tailed albatross needs to be protected in order for it to attempt recovery to the point at which it once was.

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So what happened next?

The short-tailed albatross was listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act on September 20, 2009.

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Cause of listing and main threats to continued existence:

1. Late 1800s - early 1900s: Harvested to near extinction by hunters for feather trade; nearly five million birds clubbed to death.

2. 1930's: only one active nesting island in Japan; nests damaged and wiped out by volcanic activity on island.

3. 1940's: only around 50 birds left.

The continued natural threats to these birds' existence are:

- loss of nesting habitat

- volcanic eruptions

- competition with black-footed albatrosses for nesting land

The continued human threats to these birds' existence are:

- hooking and drowning on commercial longline gear

- entanglement in abandoned fishing gear

- ingestion of plastic debris

- contamination from oil spills

- possible predation from introduced mammals on breeding land.

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Recovery Plan!

Under the ESA, it's required that a unique "recovery plan" is developed for every listed species. The recovery plan for the short-tailed albatross is estimated to span through the year 2033, costing $5,520,000 in total. The good news is that experts predict that 2033 will see roughly 5,845 pairs of birds, and that the short-tailed albatross will be delisted!

The recovery plan for the birds can be broken down into nine "recovery actions" that are most essential to ensuring the ongoing and future stability of the population:

1. Experts will continue to regulate the population of birds and the quality of habitat on Torishima.

2. Experts will monitor the population size and activity of the group living on Senkaku Island.
3. Experts will continue studies on at-sea habitat use, and the potential for birds to interact with particular fisheries.
4. There will be breeding colonies established on at least one non- volcanic island in case of the worst on Torishima.

5. There will be continued research with fisheries to help reduce the take of short-tailed albatrosses.
6. There will be other research conducted to help recovery.
7. All other non-listed measures necessary to help recovery will be taken.
8. Those knowledgeable of the species will work on awareness of the species and their situation internationally.
9. There will be protocols established for all parts of recovery
With these steps and more, there's hope that the short-tailed albatross will someday return to something like its former glory!

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