h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Nick

I have just been chasing around the net and came across this url:
http://www.savethealbatross.org.za/news_008.htm

In summary
"BirdLife International today welcomed news that South Africa has become the fourth country to ratify the global Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). Only one more country needs to ratify the Treaty for it to enter into force
...
So far ten countries have signed ACAP -- the United Kingdom, Australia, Ecuador, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, France, Brazil, Chile and Peru. Of these, only Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador and now South Africa have ratified yet."

Certainly an interesting read and you might want to point to it from somewhere.

Best

Richard

Thanks Richard - I've put in a Link to this page under the info about ACAP on the main Albatross Links page.

Nick

Nicely done. Thank you. Richard

Hi Nick and Richard,

Re this agreement, is there a list of the countires we would like to see sign and ratify in order of priority?

With Glenn Wakefield on the crew and his local federal MP being Canada's Environment Minister we can certaily lobby for Canada to get involved.
Peter

Hi Pete,

Leon is on hol at the moment. Perhaps you could ask Dr. John H Fanshawe, Head of Poicy and Advocacy, BirdLife Int. email [email protected]
Into the mist...John

Below is a reply from Leon:

Back from a few days in the bush. In response to your question the following:

The Agreement on Albatross and Petrels was drafted with the Southern Hemisphere breeding range states in mind. The main signatories, or rather, the countries we wish to see sign ACAP are the countries that have territorial rights in the Southern Hemisphere. At present the countries that have signed the Agreement are: Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador and South Africa.

Our target countries for signature are: The UK (Overseas Territories), France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Russia, Norway and Spain. A number of countries have signed the Agreement but have yet to ratify. As mentioned in the opening sentence, the Agreement was aimed at the Southern Hemisphere states, but it is likely that should an second species list be promoted the Agreement could extend to all the seabird species.

If there are any more question on the issue, please let me know.

Leon - D Viljoen
Seabird Conservation Programme
The Vineyard
Stellenbosch