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Results Final Report: South Georgia ACAP Petrel Survey Fieldwork Report 2005-07 Forum News 33 article: South Georgia Petrel Survey 2005 Purpose The project will expand existing knowledge of the distribution and abundance of these species, and will facilitate improvements to the management and protection of key breeding sites for these species at South Georgia. The development of a generic census method for White-chinned Petrels will be of benefit to the international scientific community and future demographic studies at other important seabird sites. The project will benefit the Falkland Islands by providing the opportunity for young researchers from Falklands Conservation to collaborate with South Georgia researchers and to extend their knowledge of census techniques and in particular for those two species (Southern Giant Petrels and White-chinned Petrels) which breed at both OTs and which are part of Falkland Conservation's OTEP-funded Albatross and Petrel Conservation Program. A regularly updated web page will be maintained while fieldwork is in progress at South Georgia, allowing schools, particularly those in the Falklands and other OTs to share some of the South Georgia experiences and knowledge amassed by researchers as they carry out the surveys. The project will be of benefit to the South Georgia Government in matters of environmental management via the increased pool of local South Georgia knowledge and expertise resulting from participation of Falkland Islands researchers in the surveys. It will also be of benefit to the British Antarctic Survey's "Discovery" programme scheduled for 2005-2010. One of the aims of this programme is to estimate the abundance of key burrow nesting seabird species at South Georgia in order to construct more accurate food web models of top predators in the South Atlantic and Scotia Sea. Because of their potential abundance, White-chinned Petrels are likely to be a key species in this study. Collaboration between BAS and the Petrel Project will generate much better value-for-money in both studies by sharing expertise and resources. Most importantly, the project will benefit seabird populations by providing Government managers with the necessary information about these species' conservation status on which to base management decisions, both on shore at breeding sites and at sea during the regulation and mitigation of fisheries activities. Ultimately, the project aims to ensure protection for these petrel species at South Georgia, and in so doing, help the UK to meet its WSSD commitment to reverse the current rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010. At the end of the project, up to date population figures for the three species and detailed knowledge of their breeding habitat will be available, with a system in place to enable long-term monitoring of these species and to provide Government with information on which to base decisions to ensure adequate protection of the species' breeding areas. Outputs - Census of three petrel species. This will establish baseline data for Southern Giant Petrels, Northern Giant Petrels and White-chinned Petrels in order to assess global conservation status, monitor future population changes and highlight priority sites for protection and action, thereby bringing South Georgia further into line with the principles of ACAP and the Environment Charter.
- A database on petrel populations will be set up and incorporated into existing wildlife databasesThis will enable the study of population trends and act as a baseline for future research. The database will be operational with results published as appropriate and updated on a regular basis.
- Long term monitoring framework established. The framework for future demographic studies will be established at key breeding sites identified during the course of the survey.
- International workshopsAttendance at a planned workshop in 2006 in the Falkland Islands for South Atlantic Overseas Territories and other international research bodies will facilitate an exchange of skills and knowledge gained during the project.
- Website-based participation for schoolsThis will increase the awareness of young people, both in the Falklands and internationally, through access to a regularly maintained website showing details of fieldwork in progress at South Georgia. This will bring South Georgia further into line with the principles of the Environment Charter.
- Acquisition of data for future development of management plans This data will be used in drafting management plans enabling protection of any sensitive breeding sites and reduction in disturbance to petrels in line with the obligations under ACAP.
Legacy The project will include the opportunity for young suitably qualified and experienced people from the Falkland Islands to participate in fieldwork at South Georgia and in so doing gain an appreciation and awareness of the importance of both South Georgia and the Falklands in relation to Southern Ocean and regional environments. Talks will be given to the Falkland Islands Community School and Junior School in Stanley about the work. Web-site activities will provide the opportunity for students to learn more about South Georgia and how it links in with the Falklands in a regional context. The global importance of the South Georgia petrel populations will be monitored through British Antarctic Survey. The information contained in the database will be available for any long term demographic studies that are subsequently developed, and for Government managers when developing management plans. Experience gained by Falklands Conservation will serve to extend their areas of capability in the regional context of the South Atlantic and Patagonian Shelf studies. Increased awareness about South Georgia amongst the younger generation of Falkland Islanders has the potential to help promote an appreciation of the special features of the island and encourage development of interests and skills that may in turn be of benefit to the island for future environmental projects.The successful implementation of these long term aspects will be in line with the guiding principle of the Environment Charter. Objectives The project aims to assist the GSGSSI in achieving and maintaining favourable conservation status for Southern Giant Petrels (Vulnerable), Northern Giant Petrels (Near-threatened) and White-chinned Petrels (Vulnerable) as outlined in the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, thereby enabling compliance with the Agreement. Project activities are directed at completing censuses to determine each species' conservation status, identifying key breeding sites, establishing a baseline for future long-term demographic studies, establishing research priorities for effective conservation of each species, management planning for breeding areas and raising awareness of the conservation aims and efforts by Government to protect seabirds. Contributions to Multilateral Environmental Agreements Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). This has been ratified by South Georgia.Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention). This has been extended to South Georgia.Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. South Georgia falls within CCAMLR waters. Wider Significance The issue of petrel conservation is one of international concern, hence the development of ACAP. With an exemplary record in enforcement of seabird mitigation measures and success in minimising seabird mortality within its national waters, the South Georgia Government recognises that the problem is of global concern and that support is needed for measures that contribute to halting the decline of petrel species. This project will pass on experience gained from South Georgia to other fisheries and research projects, in particular those at the Falkland Islands. The development of reliable, generic census techniques for White-chinned Petrels is of global relevance as similar research projects for this species are initiated. The data on population trends will be viewed as a regional subset for both the Scotia Sea and Patagonian Shelf data, and will be available for inclusion in this field of oceanic ecosystem analysis. Other Information Funded by FCO/DFID Overseas Territories Environment Charters, 2005 Project No. SGS 201
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