The origins of white-chinned petrels killed by long-line fisheries off South Africa and New Zealand

A genetic analysis of white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis) killed as bycatch in long-line fisheries off South Africa and New Zealand reveals distinct subspecies origins. All 113 birds from South African waters belonged to the Atlantic/Indian Ocean subspecies (P. a. aequinoctialis), while all 60 New Zealand birds were identified as the New Zealand sub-Antarctic subspecies (P. a. steadi). This finding indicates that the two subspecies disperse to different regions regardless of age, aligning with tracking data of adult birds. The study highlights the need for region-specific management strategies to mitigate fishery bycatch impacts on this vulnerable seabird species.

Techow, N. M. S. M., O’Ryan, C., Robertson, C. J. R., & Ryan, P. G. (2016). The origins of white-chinned petrels killed by long-line fisheries off South Africa and New Zealand. Polar Research, 35(1), 21150. https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v35.21150