Albatrosses have the highest proportion of threatened species in any bird family on the planet; consequently they are the most vulnerable and threatened of all seabirds. Southern hemisphere albatrosses and petrels are highly migratory species and frequently move within and between State jurisdictions and fishing vessels on the high seas. Some even migrate annually around the world. A major threat to the populations of these species arises from longline fisheries activities, with other threats including human disturbance, pollution, introduced predators, disease, and the effects of climate change. Although most Range States of breeding populations undertake action to conserve albatrosses and petrels within their national jurisdictions, the highly migratory nature of these species dictates that additional international cooperative action is required.

 

The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) was adopted in Cape Town, South Africa and opened for signature in Canberra, Australia in 2001. Covering the 21 albatross and 7 larger petrel species of the southern hemisphere, the purpose of the Agreement is to establish a cooperative and comprehensive framework and process to restore these species to a favourable conservation status. The Agreement aims to stop or reverse population declines by coordinating action to mitigate known threats to albatross and petrel populations, and the collection, analysis and dissemination of information. The Agreement will came into force on 1 February 2004, with the number of Signatory States continuing to increase.  For the latest information on the Parties to the Agreement visit http://www.acap.aq/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=47

 

The UK signed the Agreement in 2001 and is currently working towards ratification, on behalf of itself and a number of Overseas Territories.

 

JNCC provided scientific advice to the UK Government (Department for Environment, food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Foreign Office) during negotiation sessions to draw up the Agreement and subsequently. This advice included research on the status of albatross populations and knowledge of the working of mechanisms to implement other Agreements.