The Antipodean albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) is a large seabird native to the Southern Ocean. Known in Māori as Toroa, these birds are surface feeders, meaning they snatch prey from the surface of the ocean’s waves. Their diet primarily consists of fish, squid, and other small marine creatures, but they tend to scavenge discards from fishing vessels as they’re seen as easy meals.
Antipodean albatrosses are primarily found in the Southern Ocean, with their main breeding colonies located on New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, particularly the Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island. These remote, windswept isles provide the isolated nesting sites the species rely on for reproduction.
Antipodean albatrosses are among the most remarkable seabirds on the planet. Their unique adaptations allow them to thrive in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth. Here are just some of the amazing facts that make them so extraordinary:
Antipodean albatrosses serve as natural indicators of ocean health. Since they cover vast distances and rely on marine ecosystems for survival, changes in their behaviour, population trends, and feeding patterns can reveal important information about the state of the ocean. Scientists track albatros specimens using GPS devices and satellite tags, allowing them to gather data on ocean conditions. The birds’ movements can indicate shifts in fish and squid populations, changes in ocean temperatures, and even the presence of anthropogenic threats like overfishing and pollution.
Antipodean albatross populations have been in serious decline over recent decades. These birds face multiple threats, many of which are linked to human activity. One of the biggest dangers to antipodean albatrosses is longline fishing, a commercial fishing method that involves setting out kilometres of baited hooks to catch fish like tuna and swordfish. Albatrosses, attracted to the bait, often snatch at the hooks and become ensnared, leading to drowning. This accidental capture, known as bycatch, is responsible for thousands of seabird deaths each year.
The antipodean albatross is on the fast track to extinction. The Department of Conservation (DOC) estimates that 35,000 of these birds have died since 2004. Without urgent intervention, their numbers will continue to decline. However, several conservation measures and policy changes could help protect this species from disappearing entirely.
One of the most effective ways to reduce bycatch in longline fisheries is by implementing the “3 out of 3” seabird-safe fishing techniques. To be considered seabird-safe, fisheries must use all three of the following measures:
When used together, these techniques dramatically reduce seabird deaths. These have been endorsed by conservation groups and international agreements such as the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).
Additionally, tracking and monitoring the birds with satellite tags helps scientists identify key feeding and migration areas. Since 2019, Live Ocean has been raising funds for trackers and supporting voyages to the Antipodes to better understand antipodean albatross movements and the threats they face at sea. We have co-funded the development of a practical toolkit to support longline fishing fleets in adopting more seabird-safe practices. With such efforts, we can ensure more precise conservation strategies and work toward securing safer marine environments for the albatross and other seabirds.
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