Northern Royal Albatross - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Diomedea sanfordi

Conservation status in NSW: Not listed

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

The Northern Royal Albatross belongs to the group of great albatross which can be separated from smaller albatrosses (referred to as mollymawks) by having a white body including the mantle. It has a wingspan of 270 to 305 cm and weighs 6.2 to 8.2 kg. This species is separated from members of the Wandering Albatross group by a combination of blackish upperwing, pure white body and black cutting edge to the upper bill. Adults can be distinguished from the Southern Royal Albatross by the solid black upperwing. Young birds can be separated from the Southern Royal Albatross by lacking a white leading edge to the upperwing, and having black on the leading edge of the underwing.

Distribution

The Northern Royal Albatross breeds in New Zealand waters. The main population (estimated at 6,500 to 7,000 pairs) nests on islands off the Chatham Islands, and up to 50 pairs nest at Taiaroa Head on the South Island. Away from its nesting sites this Albatross is circumpolar between 30 and 45 degrees south. Most the population spends the non-breeding period off both coasts of southern South America, especially off Chile and Argentina. It is a rare visitor to NSW waters, predominantly visiting southern waters in the winter and early spring period.

Habitat and ecology

The Northern Royal Albatross primarily forages in inshore and offshore waters over the continental shelf to the shelf edge.
It feeds mainly on cephalopods and fish, but also salps, crustacea and carrion.

Threats

The most pervasive threat to Albatross species including this one is accidental mortality and injury arising from interactions with human fishing activities, especially longline and trawl fisheries. These interactions have been implicated in the dramatic population declines witnessed around the globe and are the focus of conservation efforts. Longline fisheries are known to be responsible for the deaths of foraging Northern Royal Albatross, both inside and outside the Australian Fishing Zone.
It is likely that occasional individual mortality results from becoming entangled, being affected by oil or other chemical pollutants, or ingestion of plastics or other marine pollutants.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 0 priority actions to help recover the Northern Royal Albatross in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Continue to develop and disseminate information on strategies and techniques which reduce the incidence of Albatross capture in longline and trawl fisheries. Mitigation measures in longline fisheries include: undertake fishing operations at night, use demersal longline streamers, deploy demersal longline underwater setting chutes, use weighted lines to ensure that they sink quickly, and use blue-dyed bait. Mitigation measures in trawl fisheries include: deploy streamer lines, use bird bafflers, avoid the discharging of offal prior to and during net shooting, net binding, net weighting, removing caught birds without causing injury and placing waterlogged birds in dry boxes to allow feathers to be dried and reconditioned before release.
Continue to educate fishers, ship operators and recreational craft users to not throw rubbish overboard which may result in entanglement or the ingestion of pollutants. Support programs which clean up rubbish along coastlines and coastal waterways, including estuaries.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nature conservation

Threatened species