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Save the Albatross

Many of the world's albatross and petrel species are threatened with extinction, mainly because of the impacts of longline fishing. Pollution and other fishing methods, like trawling, are also having a negative impact on albatross and petrel populations.

More Information On This Site

• Mandatory Seabird Mitigation Measures
• Speech by HRH The Prince of Wales
• Campaign Highlights
• Campaign Goals
• Albatross Fact Sheet
• Albatross Petition
• Save the Albatross Appeal
• Best Fish Guide

New Zealand, with its wide diversity of albatross species, can be rightly described as 'the albatross capital of the world'. New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands are home to more species of breeding albatross than any other country. New Zealand is also home to a diverse range of petrel species.

In the last 20 years over 65,000 albatrosses and petrels have been drowned on ling and tuna longline hooks within New Zealand waters alone.

• In 2001 one New Zealand fishing boat killed over 300 seabirds in just one trip, while fishing for ling.
• Each year over 300,000 seabirds are killed by longline fishing.
• Over the past 60 years some albatross populations have declined by 90%.
• Annually around 10,000 albatross and petrels are caught in New Zealand waters alone.

Unless changes are made within the fishing industry we will witness the extinction of some albatross species.

Act Now to Save the Albatross

Throughout the Southern Ocean seabirds face the danger of death by drowning on longline hooks. We can influence this deadly outcome. Please act now to help save the albatross.

• Join Forest & Bird to support the Albatross Campaign
• Make a donation to support the Save the Albatross Campaign
• Use our Best Fish Guide to choose fish which are caught without Albatross bycatch
• Write to the Minister of Fisheries about Mandatory Mitigation Measures (2007)

Albatross caught on longline Photo: BirdLife International.		Royal Albatross Photo: Tony Palliser/BirdLife International.

	Forest and Bird is the Partner Designate for New Zealand of BirdLife International and is actively campaigning to save the albatross as part of BirdLife's global campaign.
	New Zealand company InterCity, whose logo features an albatross, supports the international campaign to save the albatross.

This page was updated on 17 March, 2008