Seabirds need our help, expert warns

The biggest thing Marlborough people can do to protect seabirds is to get to know them, visiting consultant scientist Susan Waugh says.

Dr Waugh was in Picton last night as the guest speaker for Forest&Bird.

Speaking to The Marlborough Express before her talk on the plight of seabirds in New Zealand and efforts to protect them, Dr Waugh said New Zealand seabirds represented a major slice of the global population, with 120 of the world's 300 seabird species from this country.

A similar dominance was shown in the number of albatross species in New Zealand, with New Zealand's 12 species of the bird a significant chunk of the world's 22 species.

That meant Kiwis had a special role to play in protecting seabirds, but figures showed too many birds were dying unnecessarily, Dr Waugh, who has a doctorate in bird biology, said.

The figures for the albatross were the most alarming – 3900 were killed in 2006-2007.

That loss was hard to take, particularly given the albatross's reputation as a slow breeder.

"They are the most threatened bird species in New Zealand.

"It's like the road toll or drink-driving. It's an endemic problem."

Industry could do more to protect birds, such as trawling vessels not throwing fish waste over the side, Dr Waugh said.

The waste attracted seabirds, who then became caught in the boats' nets.

All rules on the use of longlines should also be followed, rather than only some, as required under fisheries laws, she said.

"It's taking forever to nail it in New Zealand, even though we know what to do."

However, there were also things ordinary people could do, such as only buying ecologically sustainable seafood. A guide is available on bestfishguide.org.nz

The most significant thing people could do was simply take an interest in seabirds, Dr Waugh said.

"Just get to know them. Take an interest in them. You are in a great place for that because of the Marlborough Sounds."

Her own interest had been in part sparked by her background.

"I've got whakapapa that takes me into the iwi that have a special relationship with albatross, that's Te Atiawa. This is my cosmic destiny, I guess."

- © Fairfax NZ News