Strategic Engagement in Seabird Conservation: Strategic Engagement in Seabird Conservation An Opportunities Assessment and Action Guide for the Waterbird Conservation Council Prepared by Nicole Balloffet, Wendel Landes and Nicole Le Boeuf Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology Program The University of Maryland, College Park Quito, Ecuador - January 18, 2007 ` `


Presentation Outline: Presentation Outline State of Seabirds and their Conservation Introduction Seabirds Organizational Response American Bird Conservancy Birdlife International Photo by: Mike Danzenbaker UMD Findings and Recommendations Findings – Seabirds and Council Recommendations Flagship Conservation Key Points for Discussion


Introduction: Introduction Our charge: “…the Council desires input on how it should become involved as an entity in seabird conservation. In what strategies and in collaboration with what partners is the Council most likely to provide added value? What projects are most appropriate and feasible for the Council’s current and possibly future membership?” Photo by: Eric Preston


Seabirds: Seabirds Definitions and characteristics Natural history Seabird syndrome Families considered for analysis Diomedeidae (albatrosses) Procellariidae (petrels, shearwaters, fulmars) Hydrobatidae (storm-petrels) Phaethontidae (tropicbirds) Sulidae (boobies and gannets) Fregatidae (frigatebirds) Alcidae (auklets, murres, puffins) Tropical members of Laridae (terns and noddies) Photo Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service


Global Seabird Status: Global Seabird Status IUCN Red List analysis Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, and Hydrobatidae make-up 47% of global seabird species and 74% of seabirds on IUCN Red List NAWCP Assessments All “highly imperiled” species within these families (11/11) Nearly 25% of species of “high concern” within these families (10/44)


Slide6: Global Seabird Status By Family Based Upon the IUCN Red List


Global Threats: Global Threats On Land Introduced mammalian predators, outright habitat loss, soil erosion and compaction, harvest At Sea Bycatch in commercial fisheries, prey depletion, water pollution, and ingestion of debris such as plastics Emerging Issues Climate change, sea level rise Photo by: Graham Roberston


International Response: International Response Fisheries FAO Code of Conduct and International Plan of Action for Seabirds Regional fisheries efforts Island Conservation Intensive local efforts around the world Needs Photo by: Juan Pablo Galvan


Council Partners – In Conservation Action: Council Partners – In Conservation Action Jennifer Arnold – American Bird Conservancy – Seabird Program Esteban Frere – Birdlife International – South America Seabird Program


Presentation Outline: Presentation Outline State of Seabirds and their Conservation Introduction Seabirds Organizational Response American Bird Conservancy Birdlife International Photo by: Mike Danzenbaker UMD Findings and Recommendations Findings – Seabirds and Council Recommendations Flagship Conservation Key Points for Discussion


Conservation Gaps: Conservation Gaps Knowledge At-sea distribution Impact of fisheries interactions Capacity Resources Technical expertise Integration No Western Hemisphere-wide body coordinating seabird conservation Species


Species Gap: Species Gap Seabirds are a gap within waterbirds Procellariids are a gap within seabirds The majority are not a focus of ACAP in the Southern Hemisphere Basic baseline population and threat data are lacking Regional and species-specific work ongoing, but no coordinated effort for procellariids as a group


Procellariids: Procellariids Ecology Migration Biological and political links between north and south and beyond Threats From Shaffer et al. 2006


Slide14: Nesting Sites of Procellariids in the Americas Legend Nesting Procellariids Present Nesting Procellariids Absent IUCN Red List Species IUCN Species of Least Concern


Waterbird Conservation Council: Waterbird Conservation Council Reviewed NAWCP, annual meeting notes, website Interviews: Strengths Limitations Council benefits Council structure Best Council niche Photo by: Waterbird Conservation Council


Waterbird Conservation Council: Waterbird Conservation Council Council structure 60% North America Little Policy/Fisheries Topical committees Strengths Passionate & dedicated people Diverse expertise & geographies Well-connected Council benefits Information node Networking Opportunities to make an impact Limitations Mainly voluntary Diverse expertise & geographies Little funding


Best Council Niche: Best Council Niche Opportunities and areas of collaboration Raising awareness Information sharing Influencing policy Leveraging funding Identifying research needs Capacity building Photo by: Waterbird Conservation Council


Next Steps Should…: Next Steps Should… Capitalize on existing members talents/interests Contain broad geographic coverage & connectivity Be tangible and focused Make use of existing connections; build new ones Build upon existing work, priorities, recommendations Engage members at individual & Council levels Inspire the Council to rally behind an initiative


Recommendations: Recommendations Critical Issues to Promote Specific Projects Internal Affairs Flagship Conservation Concept


Critical Issues to Promote: Critical Issues to Promote Protection of important habitat At-sea science Bycatch issues Oiling and pollution Climate change Identification of additional emerging threats


Projects to Consider: Projects to Consider Seabird nesting site threat assessment Cost-effective seabird conservation ACAP Disseminate Technical Information Photo by: Falklands Conservation


Internal Affairs : Internal Affairs Funding Capacity building Membership and structure Outreach and awareness The inspiration factor Photo by: Karl Kaufmann


Flagship Conservation: Flagship Conservation Flagship concept Conservation gap in procellariids Albatrosses and fisheries interactions ACAP coverage Distribution throughout the Americas Trans-equatorial migrants Substantial numbers breed in the Americas THE seabird of the Americas Would focus Council effort, expertise and experience Drawing by: Alexander Balloffet


Flagship Conservation- Common Threads: Flagship Conservation- Common Threads BirdLife International


Flagship Conservation - Opportunities: Flagship Conservation - Opportunities Promote an important issue in seabird conservation Strengthen ties and build capacity within South America and the Caribbean Raise Council’s profile within seabird community, increase collaborations and potential financial support Initiate a concerted effort and set priorities in the Americas


Flagship Conservation - Strategic Species Assessments: Flagship Conservation - Strategic Species Assessments


Strategic Connections: Strategic Connections AC3 June 2007 ValdiviaChile Tri-National Meeting May 2007 Quebec City Canada 34th Annual Meeting Feb 2007 Asilomar California Migratory Bird Table May 2007 Quebec City Canada


Key Points for Consideration: Key Points for Consideration Conservation gaps and needs of seabirds in the Americas Interests/expertise of individual members and capability/capacity of entire Council Assets and abilities of other organizations with which the Council could collaborate Focused efforts on identified list of priorities Opportunities associated with promotion of flagship conservation


Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements


Discussion: Discussion Clarifying Questions General Impressions Ideas for Action Opportunities Challenges Leading the Way Forward


Thank you and good luck!: Thank you and good luck! ¡Gracias y buena suerte! n Photo Courtesy of Juan Fernandez Island Conservancy