A new international treaty, the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), sparks great hope for the future of albatrosses and petrels around the world. The ACAP treaty legally binds signatory governments to reduce the threats to seabirds posed by longline fishing. Conservationists hope that this effort will, in turn, improve the birds' conservation status. The ACAP treaty also aims to address other conservation aspects through research and management of the birds' habitat.

Longline fishing is used to catch Patagonian toothfish, tunafish, and other commercially sought-after species. This fishing technique poses a grave danger to seabirds, killing hundreds of thousands of birds annually. The fishing lines, sometimes stretching more than 80 miles in length, snare birds as they skim the water to feed. Instead of capturing fish, the lines catch unwary birds that are then left to die.

Once ratified, the ACAP treaty will bind signatory governments to combat the hazards of longline fishing practices.

The capture of any non-target animals (such albatrosses, sea turtles, marine mammals, or non-commercially valued fishes) during fishing activities is referred to as bycatch. Longline fishing is not the only fishing method that results in singificant and damaging levels of bycatch. Trawl nets, gill nets, and traps also result in bycatch.

There are a total of 22 species of albatrosses worldwide, of which 19 are threatened by longline fishing. The species that face the most risk include:

• Amsterdam albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis) - critically endangered
• Chatham albatross (Thalassarche eremita) - critically endangered
• Tristan albatross (Diomedea dabbenena) - endangered
• Black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophris) - endangered
• Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) - vulenerable

Find out more:

• Save the Albatross Campaign (BirdLife)
• Albatrosses Get Prince's Protection (BBC News)
• Safe Haven for Albatrosses (BBC News)
• Where the Albatross Wanders (BBC News)

Photo © Clara Natoli / Shutterstock.