| UK Government to provide additional £65,000 to conserve Albatrosses & Petrels from extinction |
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| Monday, 13 November 2006 | |
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Environmental news: The Government has today announced that it will be providing additional total funding of £65,000 to deliver projects that will promote the conservation of seriously endangered species of albatrosses and petrels. Populations of albatrosses and petrels are falling at the fastest rate ever and some species are now on the brink of extinction; scientists liken their plight to that of tigers. This is thought to be caused by incidental catch (by-catch) by the long line fishing industry, as well as habitat destruction and the encroachment of alien species that attack these birds and their eggs. Barry Gardiner, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs said: "I am pleased that we are able to make this important additional funding contribution. The projects it will help to finance will play an important role in conserving these seriously endangered migratory species. Our commitment to these projects will go a long way to help us meet our target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010." The extra funding will finance projects implemented by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), which is an international agreement drawn up under the Convention on Migratory Species. It will be distributed as follows: £50,000 will be given as a voluntary contribution towards various conservation projects to be agreed by the member parties An additional £15,000 will help finance a project under the Convention on Migratory Species to assess the impact of global fisheries by-catch on marine wildlife. John O'Sullivan, who will be attending the ACAP meeting on behalf of the RSPB, said: "The UK government is to be congratulated on this funding package, which will improve the odds in favour of some of the most charismatic creatures on earth. "The RSPB has also committed large sums, via the Albatross Task Force, and if key agencies around the world work together, there is a chance a truly alarming and horrific situation can be turned around." The announcement was made in New Zealand at the start of the second meeting of member parties committed to this agreement. Editors note: The agreement covers 21 species of albatross and 7 species of petrel that have been identified as needing international co-operation to help conserve them. The UK is an important range state for these species, with significant breeding sites in Overseas Territories in the Southern Hemisphere including South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Each year an estimated 100,000 albatrosses and petrels die as "by-catch"; which means they are accidentally caught on the hooks of long line fishing fleets. The UK was one of the active members in negotiating the agreement prior to it coming into effect in February 2004. Up until now, the UK has contributed additional voluntary contributions totalling £55,000 since the agreement was put into place. There are currently 10 countries that are party to the agreement: Australia (where the Secretariat is based), New Zealand, Ecuador, South Africa, Spain, Chile, France, Peru, UK and Argentina. The UK was the 6th party to join in April 2004. The latest party to join was Argentina in June 2006. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 13 November 2006 ) |
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