Seabird Conservation Plan
A new plan to help safeguard the future of seabirds in NZ has been launched. NZ is well-known for its unique land birds, such as the kiwi and kakapo. However, NZ is also the world centre for seabird diversity. At present, 84 seabird species, or about a quarter of the world total, breed in NZ. That is more than anywhere else in the world and includes 35 species that are endemic, or breed nowhere else in the world. By comparison, the British Isles was home to just 34 seabird species, none of which were endemic.
This plan brings together, for the first time, an overview of what state our seabird fauna is in. It outlines the current status of each species, their main threats, and what actions are needed to care for that species.
At least five seabirds have become extinct in NZ, and the remaining species are under great pressure. Threats to them range from introduced predators, loss of habitat, coastal development, pollution, oil spills, global sea temperature changes, and fisheries by-catch.
Our most threatened seabird species included fairy terns (only about 30 birds survive), the Chathams Island taiko (with a surviving population of about 100), and a range of albatross, penguin and petrel species.
| Hard copies ($20) from Sonia Nesaratnam, DOC Science Publications, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10 420, Wellington, tel (04) 471 3286, fax (04) 471 3279, email science.publications@doc.govt.nz , or from their website at www.doc.govt.nz |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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