We are excited to announce the Global Birdfair 2025 Conservation Project, Safeguarding Ocean Species. This important project focuses on the South Pacific region and provides opportunities to raise awareness on a global scale, alongside BirdLife International’s Seabird and Marine Programme conservation initiatives.
05 February 2025
We are excited to announce the Global Birdfair 2025 Conservation Project, Safeguarding Ocean Species. This important project focuses on the South Pacific region and provides opportunities to raise awareness on a global scale, alongside BirdLife International’s Seabird and Marine Programme conservation initiatives.
Global longline fisheries bycatch poses the single greatest threat to many albatross and petrel species, including the critically endangered Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis), this year’s flagship bird.
Among other species affected are Flesh-footed, Buller’s, Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters, as well as other subantarctic visitors to the region, including Giant Petrels, Grey Petrels and smaller albatross species.
Global Birdfair projects are carefully chosen for their positive impact on species, habitats, and people.
We hope that Safeguarding Ocean Species addresses critical gaps in awareness and compliance as follows:
Species: Ensuring the adoption of best-practice seabird bycatch mitigation measures on longline fishing vessels, directly reducing interactions with highly threatened species like the Antipodean Albatross.
Ocean Systems: Contributing to more sustainable fisheries and healthier marine ecosystems, creating resilience against climate change and improving the long-term sustainability of ocean resources.
Society: Strengthening local livelihoods by employing a local Port-based Outreach Officer and Coordinator, while empowering women through training and paid opportunities to produce tori lines for vessels.
The project is closely aligned with the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).
Additionally, the project supports the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy by advancing sustainable fisheries management and promoting biodiversity conservation as part of a broader vision for resilient Pacific ecosystems. Working together, we must all address the critical state of the world’s oceans as habitats.
Thank you in advance for supporting this year’s event. More information at www.globalbirdfair.org
Tim Appleton and Penny Robinson
Email: info@globalbirdfair.org
Global Birdfair Organisers
