Raising $4,230 for one of our most at-risk seabirds
I recently partnered with Forest & Bird to raise funds for the Antipodes albatross - one of our most at-risk seabirds which is at the conservation status of nationally critical (the worst ranking before extinction). NZ has more endemic breeding species of seabirds than any other country in the world, and 90% are currently nationally threatened or risk of extinction.
Often conservation fundraising is focused on predator control, breeding programs, habitat restoration, sanctuary creation or upkeep, and various grass-roots work, however our albatross face a very different threat to their survival, so requires a different conservation approach. Their species is under threat from long-line fishing vessels, who use squid for bait, and due to squid being their main diet, many Antipodes albatrosses are caught in these lines and tragically drown. Forest & Bird are addressing this by working to influence change in government policy, to enact regulations which will make the seas safer for albatrosses and other seabirds. Their work is critical for the survival of this beautiful species, and they have the contacts and expertise to influence political change.
I was very fortunate to experience first-hand the magnificence of the Antipodes albatross on a trip I took to the Subantarctic Islands. I was invited by Heritage Expeditions on an incredible 13 day voyage in the Southern Ocean, visiting the remote and nature-filled islands - they truly were a bird lovers dream! On this trip I gained a deep appreciation of our diverse and unique seabirds and I was inspired to draw this Antipodes albatross to share it’s beauty, but more importantly to spread awareness about their plight.
‘Subantarctic Soaring’ artwork
It’s important for me to give back to nature, which gives me the endless inspiration for my work. So together with Forest & Bird we sold my ‘Subantarctic Soaring’ fine art prints, with 50% of every sale being donated from 21st of March to the 4th of April.
Together we raised $4,230 for the Antipodes albatross which is a wonderful result!
As well as raising funds, spreading awareness of conservation issues is also very important, and so this was highlighted in a full-page article in the autumn 2022 edition of Forest & Bird magazine (see here). To share more context of how special they are, I also wrote an article about my experience in the Subantarctic Islands (where the Antipodes albatross call home), for the same magazine. This is both online and their print magazine went out to approximately 22,000 of their supporters, including MPs and government ministers, and the readership for each issue is about 88,000. I also shared information about the species and the fundraiser on my social media pages to a further 11,000 people.
So what will Forest and Bird do with the money that was raised?
They will be using the funds raised on the “Save Our Seabirds” campaign this year, calling for a range of policy changes and government actions including:
Keeping up pressure on the fishing industry to take action so we eventually get to zero bycatch in New Zealand waters.
The introduction of government observers or cameras on all fishing vessels to ensure seabird-friendly fishing methods are being used and any bycatch deaths are recorded.
Asking the government to advocate on behalf of the Antipodean albatross with foreign fishing nations. This is because our beautiful wide-roaming albatrosses are getting killed outside New Zealand's territorial waters too. But fewer will be killed if more countries adopt seabird-friendly fishing methods in their longline fisheries.
They also want to see more research and monitoring of the Antipodean albatross and other at-risk seabirds including hoiho to find out what threats they face from climate change, habitat loss, and fishing impacts.
Purchase a ‘Subantarctic Soaring’ print (35% donation to Forest & Bird) please purchase from their online store here.
To learn more about Forest & Bird, please see here.
If you’d you’re interested to read about my once in a lifetime experience in the Subantarctic Islands and see photos of the incredible birds and plants that I saw, please check out my blog here.