FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: 11 FEBRUARY 2004

(With Relevant Articles from FIBS)

 

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

GEO PACIFIC

 

Information from Byron Marine says that the Seismic Vessel is due into FIPASS on Saturday morning to exchange crew.  Previous to this, the Geo Pacific carried out a 3-D seismic survey in the North Falkland Basin for Desire Plc.  She will also bunker and take on stores with Byron Marine carrying out ship servicing and piloting, etc.  Further to this, the Escort Vessel, Thor Supporter, will arrive on Saturday.  There will be a tour of the Geo Pacific on the day by FIG Officials.  After the crew change, she will continue with the seismic survey.  This stage of the seismic survey will end in mid March.

 Urgent Steps required to halt Falkland seabird declines

 

 

In the space of three years, 44,000 breeding pairs of albatross and 69,000 breeding pairs of penguins have vanished from one of the worlds’ most important breeding sites. New research by Falklands Conservation¹ on Steeple Jason² in November 2003 has shown disturbing decreases in the populations of both Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins. There is now an urgent need to implement efforts to save these seabird populations.

 

The Falklands is the stronghold of the Black-browed Albatross, with over 70%  of the global population breeding in the Islands. There are clearly major implications for the rest of the Falklands population, which at this stage remains uncounted since 2000. A reduction in numbers here will have a severe impact on its status and long-term survival worldwide. Ironically, these figures come to light as the John Ridgway ‘Save the Albatross’ voyage approaches the Falklands³, due to arrive in early March. Supported by BirdLife International, this voyage plans to highlight the plight of the worlds’ albatross.

 

Over the last five years, Falklands Conservation have carried out extensive research into the Black-browed Albatross, investigating their foraging behaviour and at-sea interaction with fishing vessels, as well as conducting a complete census which resulted in the re-classification of the species as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2003. Between 1995 and 2000, over 87,500 breeding pairs were lost, a rate of 4% per year, or 2 albatross per hour. This recent decline suggests that efforts to conserve the albatross population need to be implemented as a matter of urgency.

 

The drop in albatross numbers is usually connected to fishing. Throughout the foraging grounds of the Black-browed Albatross, many thousands of adult birds are killed each year through interaction with both longline and trawl vessels⁴.. Whilst the bulk of the birds are most likely killed by illegal and unregulated fisheries, over 10,000 birds were killed by longline fisheries over a 3-year period along the Patagonian shelf. Even within Falkland waters themselves, trawl fisheries kill 1500 adult birds a season. However, recent harmful algal blooms within Falkland waters have been observed to have a dramatic effect on seabirds, with many hundreds of albatross being affected and killed during last summer. Dead birds were even reported from colony areas – a rare occurrence under normal circumstances.

 

Even more dramatic is the decline in Rockhopper penguin numbers. From a population of 89,000⁵ breeding pairs in 2000, only 30,000 breeding pairs remain at the site. The species had been thought to be stable during the late 1990’s, following a dramatic population crash in the mid-1980’s, from which they have never fully recovered. This recent reduction is yet more evidence of a serious problem, not yet understood. As with the albatross, many hundreds of penguins were recently affected by algal poisoning around the Falklands, which may have been a contributory factor. Large scale changes in ocean currents and food avaiablility may also be responsible for the decline in numbers.  “This highlights the urgent need for in-depth long-term monitoring of this species’ states Falklands Conservation senior scientist Nic Huin. ‘Without detailed data on the survival rate of birds of all age classes, diet through the breeding season and foraging patterns of birds throughout the years, it remains impossible to determine the causes of such declines and to take measures to conserve the species”.

 

This further decrease in numbers of birds, already endangered or vulnerable, is alarming. It is possible that time is running out for these birds unless concerted and committed steps are taken now. Falklands Conservation strongly urges the following action: The Falkland Island Government adopt and implement the National Plans of Action to Reduce Seabird Mortality⁶; The UK Government ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels without any further delay and work closely with the Falklands government to ensure the inclusion of the Falklands within it.

 

 

ENDS

 

1. Falklands Conservation is a non-governmental organisation and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales number 3661322, registered charity number 1073859. FC is also an Associate Partner of BirdLife International. For further information contact Company Secretary Ann Brown in London, telephone +44 208 343 0831 or email [email protected] or Conservation Officer Becky Ingham in Stanley, telephone +500 22247 or email [email protected]. Through the land-based Seabird Monitoring Programme, Falklands Conservation has been studying annual changes at key seabird sites since 1986. This has highlighted problems and the need for in-depth studies to find solutions to the seabird declines.

 

2. Steeple Jason Island holds the worlds’ largest breeding colony of Black-browed Albatross(listed as Endangered by BirdLife International) and the second largest colony of Rockhopper Penguins (listed as Vulnerable). Located to the north west of the Falklands archipelago, the island is owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York. Gifted to the organisation three years ago by philanthropist Michael Steinhardt, the island is a key breeding site for many seabirds.

 

3. The Save the Albatross Voyage has been undertaken by sailors John and Marie-Christine Ridgway in association with BirdLife International to raise awareness and highlight the threats to albatross around the world from illegal fishing. For further details see the website http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A894594

 

4. Since 1998, Falklands Conservation have carried out extensive research into the Black-browed albatross, investigating their foraging behaviour and at-sea interactions with vessels, as well as conducting a complete census in 2000-2001 which resulted in the re-classification of the species as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2003. Between 1995 and 2000, over 87,500 pairs were lost, a rate of 4% per year, or 2 birds every hour.

 

5. Methods used consist of estimating the breeding density of birds within the colonies (which were assumed not to have changed in size). For areas where no new data are available, the figures of the last census in 2000 were kept. Such estimates of decline as provided above are therefore thought to be conservative. Figures given are accurate to within ± 10%.

 

 

 

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: WEDNESDAY, 11 February 2004

 

COURT NEWS:

 

Curtis Bryan Cross was remanded in custody for two weeks for his own safety this morning.  Mr. Cross pleaded guilty to two charges when he appeared before Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders.  One was being drunk and incapable and another was attempted theft.  The Court heard he could be facing further charges after an incident yesterday.  The Court heard Mr. Cross was a chronic Alcoholic and had recently started drinking excessive amounts of Alcohol on top of Vallium prescribed by the Doctor.  Last Friday, he was in the West store when he slipped a bottle of vodka into a carrier bag.  He told the cashier he didn’t have any money and would put all of the items back on the shelves but staff noticed that he didn’t put the Vodka back and challenged him.  He admitted still having the bottle.  He was arrested later in the day.  On Saturday he was picked up again by Police after a concerned member of the public reported that a man was staggering on the sea-front and then rang again to say that he was asleep on the pavement with his legs in the road.  On Tuesday, Mr. Cross’s wife asked a friend, Denise Shophaus, to sit with him while went to work but Miss Shophaus was unable to stop him from drinking.  The Court heard how he had consumed 3/4^th of a bottle of Vodka and 13 Vallium and then grabbed his wife’s friend by the wrists.  They both fell to the floor.  Later in the day he smashed up a music centre belonging to another friend.  Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders, heard that the defendant was planning to go to the UK on Saturday for rehabilitation.  But he told the defendant he wasn’t satisfied the correct arrangements were in place.  He ordered that Mr. Cross be remanded in custody for two weeks for his own safety.  If arrangements were made for somewhere to live, he could apply for bail in a week’s time.  Mr. Cross will appear before the Court again on the 25^th of February at 0900 after pre-sentence and medical health reports are prepared.

 

EOD NEWS:

 

The EOD were called out to a suspect object on Saturday and ended up unearthing two more.  Sgt. Gleave from Hillside was out walking between Mt. Tumbledown and Mt. William when he found a projectile in a stone run.  Sgt Fuller and Cpl King from the Stanley Detachment went to investigate and found what they thought was the reported object, an empty 4.2-inch mortar round.  They then discovered that this was not the object spotted by Sgt Gleave and went back to the same spot where they found yet another one before finding the original which was, in fact, live.  Sgt. Fuller told News Direct the fuse had been damaged on impact and the main body was still full of high explosive.  The projectile was destroyed on site.

 

LEISURE CENTRE NEWS:

 

If you’ve ever felt a little bit jealous when you drop the kids off at the aqua-run, your time has come.  The Leisure Centre is organising an “It’s a Knock-out” games night on the 21^st of February, complete with adult aqua-run and other sporting challenges.  Teams of 6 need to get their entries in by Friday.  And, if you can’t find enough fool-hardy people to make up a team, contact Steve Dent at the Leisure Centre and he will try and match you up with some others.

 

 

FISHING, SHIPPING AND HARBOUR NEWS:

 

Taiwanese Jigger the Kai Chang 6 has arrived in Montevideo after an incident on the high seas saw the Captain airlifted to the KEMH and another crew member left dead onboard.  The body has now been removed to the morgue in Montevideo and the Captain has been airlifted to the British Hospital there for further treatment for head injuries.  The boat is Uruguayan flagged and Port Officials in Montevideo are said to be investigating the incident.  The Taiwanese Counsel is also involved.  The vessel arrived at 1400 on Monday.

 

There is only one cruise ship visiting Stanley today.  The Amsterdam arrived in at 0700 today and is due to leave again at 1700.  She has around 1400 passengers onboard, who will be taking tours throughout the day as well as exploring Stanley.

 

There have been 6 jiggers in the harbour today with the possibility of another eight arriving tomorrow.  As we reported yesterday, there are currently 17 vessels fishing for Hoki, Blue Whiting and red cod in the Zone, where catches are variable.

 

The Zalgares and the Typhoon are in Berkley Sound.

 

(100X Transcription Service)