A recent study reveals new information about the migratory patterns of albatrosses—information that could help conservationists as they try to tailor their protection efforts for this highly endangered group of birds. Albatrosses are the world's most endangered family of birds. The main cause of their decline has been longline fishing, a commercial fishing technique used to capture large fish such as tuna and swordfish.

The fishing technique uses numerous baited hooks attached to extensive fishing lines that are stretched across open ocean. Albatrosses, attracted to the fish bait on the longlines, become entangled in the lines and drown.

Until now, conservationists had little information about the migration patterns of albatrosses, making it difficult to protect them from the hazards of longline fishing.

But a recent study by scientists with the British Antarctic Survey now reveals valuable information about the extensive paths taken by migrating albatrosses. By attaching sophistsicated tracking devices to the birds' feet, researchers found that albatrosses exhibited the following three migration patterns:

• some birds circumnavigated the southern hemisphere
• other birds were shown to remain close to their breeding grounds
• others migrated to a region of the Indian Ocean

By understanding the path albatrosses fly between breeding seasons, conservationists can focuse their efforts on reducing the impact of longline fishing along critical migratory paths.

Find out more:

• Albatrosses Fly Around World After Mating (National Geographic)
• Tracking Reveals Albatross Habits (BBC News)

Photo © Graham Prentice / ShutterStock.