Rationale (Changed due to Genuine (recent))

The global population of Sooty Albatross Phoebetria fusca is suspected to be undergoing a decline of greater than 50% over a ninety year (three generation) period satisfying criterion A4 (an observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population size reduction of ≥50% over a three generation period, where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible). In addition, the species breeds at only two locations in the region, namely Prince Edward Island and Marion Island. The regional assessment follows the global status.

Distribution

The Sooty Albatross breeds on Prince Edward Island and Marion Island, as well as Iles de Kerguelen, Iles Crozet, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint Paul, Gough and the Tristan da Cunha islands (ACAP 2010). Although there is little known regarding its movements (Ryan 2005), it is believed to range widely across the Southern Ocean, seldom venturing into continental shelf waters (Ryan 1997).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population

The total annual global breeding population is estimated at c. 14 000 pairs (ACAP 2010). This consists of c. 5 000 pairs on Gough Island (Cuthbert and Sommer 2004), 3 157 pairs in the Tristan da Cunha group (ACAP 2010), c. 1 400 pairs on Prince Edward Island as well as c. 1 400 pairs on Marion Island (Ryan et al. 2009), 2 174 pairs on the Iles Crozet (Delord et al. 2008), fewer than five pairs on Iles Kerguelen and 300-400 pairs on Iles Amsterdam (ACAP 2010). Ryan et al. (2009) estimated there to be 1 400 pairs on Prince Edward Island and Marion Island respectively, giving a regional population of c. 2 800 pairs. Sooty Albatrosses are difficult to survey due to their dark plumage and cliff-nesting habits (Ryan et al. 2009), lowering the confidence in this estimate to medium.

Population trend

Limited information is available to determine global population trends for the species but declines have been reported at all sites where repeated surveys have been carried out (ACAP 2010). The Marion Island population decreased by 25% between 1990 and 1998 or at about 2.6% per year (Crawford et al. 2003), but increased by c. 5% per year up to 2005 (Ryan et al. 2009), undergoing a further slight decrease until 2008 (Ryan et al. 2009). The Prince Edward Island population appears to have increased over a similar period although this may be due to different survey methods being employed. Overall, the Prince Edward Islands population appears to be stable. Confidence in this trend estimate is moderate.

Threats

The primary threat at sea is from bycatch in tuna longline fishing (Nel et al. 2002, Petersen et al. 2009). Trawling on sea-mounts in the south-west Indian Ocean is a potential threat but data are lacking. Population decreases are considered to be due to at-sea mortality associated with fisheries, particularly longline fishing vessels (Delord et al. 2008). Introduced House Mice Mus musculus have been reported to have preyed upon a single chick on Marion Island (Jones and Ryan 2010). Mice are absent from Prince Edward Island.

Conservation

Underway

The species is listed by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels - Annex 1 and by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals - Appendix II. Within the region it is protected under the Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act, 1973 (Act No. 46 of 1973), Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998): Publication of Policy on the Management of Seals, Seabirds and Shorebirds: 2007 and the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Reducing the Incidental Catch on Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (2008). The Prince Edward Islands are listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, as a Special Nature Reserve under the Environment Conservation Act (No 73 of 1989) and protected by the Prince Edward Islands Management Plan, 1996.

Proposed

Efforts by BirdLife International and BirdLife South Africa to reduce incidental mortality of seabirds should be supported. Observer programmes reporting on the scale of incidental mortality and potential effectiveness of mitigation measures, must be continued. Eradication of introduced House Mice on Marion Island should be considered, based inter alia upon results of research into the patterns and scale of mouse predation on Sooty Albatross chicks.

Research

* Investigate the nature, scale and spatio-temporal patterns of mouse predation on Sooty Albatross chicks.

* Map sex-, stage- and age-specific foraging distributions of Sooty Albatrosses.

* Determine under what conditions do pairs attempt to breed every year, and what is the population-level frequency distribution of sabbaticals.