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 12 May 2008 15:46 BST

Extra fund to boost endangered albatross

Monday, 13 Nov 2006 15:46
100,000 albatrosses are killed each year through fishing practices

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Additional funding of £65,000 has been set aside by the government to bolster projects working to conserve albatrosses and petrels.

Both are seriously endangered, with 100,000 albatrosses killed inadvertently each year by long line fishing practices.

The increase in the numbers of these birds dying each year is also said to be due to habitat destruction and other species that attack them and their eggs.

Barry Gardiner, minister for biodiversity, landscape and rural affairs, said that the extra funding would finance projects implemented by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (Acap).

"The projects it will help to finance will play an important role in conserving these seriously endangered migratory species," he said.

"Our commitment to these projects will go a long way to help us meet our target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010."

John O'Sullivan of the RSPB said: "The UK government is to be congratulated on this funding package, which will improve the odds in favour of some of the most charismatic creatures on earth.

"The RSPB has also committed large sums, via the Albatross Task Force, and if key agencies around the world work together, there is a chance a truly alarming and horrific situation can be turned around."

The funding announcement follows calls from the Prince of Wales to improve steps to ensure the survival of the albatross.

Commenting on the potential extinction of the albatross, His Royal Highness said: "Think of the way in which we treat our world, and the way we treat our oceans, and the way we exploit the fish stocks in particular…It would be such an appalling commentary on the way we treat the world."End of story

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