The threatened species listing for Australia’s Shy Albatross was updated last week from vulnerable to endangered on the first international ‘Day’ dedicated to the Albatross.
Announced by the Minister for the Environment, Susan Ley the large seabird was reassessed by an independent expert, the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, which recommended the species be “up-listed” because of its limited breeding range and population decline.
“As Australia’s only endemic albatross species, the Shy Albatross breeds on just three islands in the world – all off the coast of Tasmania – these islands are protected and recognised as critical habitat for the species,” Ms Ley said
“Significant progress has been made in abating threats to the Shy Albatross, including the protection of breeding sites and reductions in bycatch from commercial longline fishing,” she said.
“But bycatch in other commercial fisheries, disease and competition with other seabirds were all key factors in my decision to list the species as endangered.”
Ms Ley said the scientific name of the species had also been updated from Thalassarche cauta cauta to Thalassarche cauta to reflect current science and keep consistent with international identification.
World Albatross Day was held on 19 June, marking the anniversary of the signing of the international Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) in Canberra in 2001.
