Albatross Task Force

Albatrosses travel long distances in pursuit of food and encounter fishing vessels not equipped with seabird bycatch mitigation measures. Bycatch continues, as does the albatross population decline. There is still work to be done, so our mission continues in 2024. 📸:Derren Fox

With a chick hatching on Bird Island, there's a glimmer of hope that albatross populations will recover in the future. Raising awareness of seabird bycatch can help prevent thousands of needless seabird deaths each year. 📸: Alex Dodds #AlbatrossTaskForce

Both parents of Wandering albatrosses share the task of rearing the chick. During the 300-day long period of rearing, a chick can consume up to 100 kg of food each. Now, it is time to fledge and circumnavigate the world while they become mature. 📸Alex Dodds #AlbatrossTaskForce

From November to July, albatross males and females engage in a 'dancing' display. They face each other and synchronise movements and behaviours multiple times a day. This allows potential mates to assess suitability for a long-term relationship. 📸:Derren Fox #AlbatrossTaskForce

On the High Seas, albatrosses rely on their keen sense of smell to find food. These seabirds have a remarkable ability to locate prey up to 30km away. 📸: Derren Fox #AlbatrossTaskForce

Once settled on Bird Island, female Black-browed albatrosses build nests. These are solid pillars of mud and guano, with some tussock grass and seaweed incorporated, and are re-used annually. A single egg is laid and incubated. 📸: Alex Dodds #AlbatrossTaskForce

The warning calls of albatrosses have been heard, and due to the efforts of our team, the impact of bycatch on seabirds has been significantly decreased. But there is still work to be done raising awareness and advocating to safeguard species on land and at sea. 📸: Derren Fox

Grey-headed albatrosses usually breed every two years. If a chick is successfully reared in one season, the parents will not reproduce the following year. Even though they do not lay eggs, they may build nests - although these are often poorly constructed. 📸: Alex Dodds

Albatrosses spend almost all their time soaring on the High Seas, making it hard to keep up. But technology has altered this. Now, we can see their day-to-day lives, from their incredible accomplishments to their dramatic vulnerability. We aim to defend them. 📸: Alex Dodds

On Halloween, the image that may come to mind is likely to be of a pirate, especially Captain Hook. To our team, the meaning of 'hook' is quite distinct. Commercial fishing hooks pose a fatal risk to albatrosses. Our aim is to reduce bycatch and save the species. 📸:Derren Fox

Bird Island is home to a large colony of Wandering albatrosses, renowned for their striking black wings and white plumage. During the breeding season, these birds congregate in large numbers, varying in size and age. 📸: Derren Fox

The Black-browed Albatrosses returned to Bird Island for their courtship, nesting, and breeding season. The images capture their dance and beak-touching, giving us a glimpse into this captivating world. 📸: Derren Fox #AlbatrossTaskForce

Albatross species have adapted to life in the ocean so well that certain species travel around the Antarctic continent multiple times before returning to their breeding areas on isolated islands in the Southern and Indian Oceans. 📸: Derren Fox #AlbatrossTaskForce

The albatross has been a prominent seabird in literature and culture, often portrayed as a symbol of mystery and fortune. While some of these legends may have been forgotten, the respect for the species has remained, and the ATF is dedicated to their conservation. 📸: Alex Dodds

Bird Island was named by Captain James Cook in 1775 because of the abundance of birds. Today, the albatross is endangered due to accidental killing in commercial fishing. ATF’s mission is to protect the species and minimise bycatch in vulnerable areas. 📸: Rosie Hall

Happy World Albatross Day! 🎉 #WAD2023 #albatross #WorldAlbatrossDay

🚨The Antipodean Albatross is spiralling towards extinction. ⚠️The New Zealand longline fishing industry must meet international standards to save this magnificent bird! 💪@BrookingRachel,Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, don't wait until it's too late! ow.ly/uJov50ORyak

The Light mantled albatrosses have finished laying their eggs and are keeping them warm. The chicks begin hatching from late December onwards, so we can expect to start the New Year with plenty of fluffy chicks! 📸: Erin Taylor #AlbatrossStories

New team members have arrived on Bird Island! We want to welcome Rosie and Marcia, who join Erin to help monitoring the albatross activity on the island over the next few months. 📸: Erin Taylor #AlbatrossStories

Big news from Bird Island… the Wandering albatross chicks have started to fledge! After a few test-jumps this chick took to the skies and won’t return until at least 5 years of age. Wish them luck on their journey across the High Seas! 📸: Erin Taylor #AlbatrossStories