Foraging distribution of the black‐browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris, breeding in the Falkland Islands

Abstract

1.The overall foraging distribution of black-browed albatross from the Falkland Islands is described, based on data from two different stages of the breeding season and two separate breeding sites, each representing one of two main subdivisions of the overall breeding population in the Falkland Islands. 2.During the incubation period birds from the northern group travelled to the north of the Falkland Islands. During this period foraging trips were longest, both in terms of distance travelled and duration. Albatrosses foraged mainly over the Patagonian Shelf or along its edge. No birds visited areas to the south or south-east of their breeding colony. 3.During the post-guard period, foraging areas were much restricted; the main areas utilised by birds from the northern group were close to the north and north-west coast of the Falkland Islands with no travel to the south of the islands. In contrast, birds from the southern group, although displaying similar restriction of their foraging range, had a complementary distribution, remaining to the south and south-west of the Falkland Islands, with no forays to the north. This use of mutually exclusive foraging areas, may be part of a strategy to minimise intra-specific competition. 4.The overall pattern of foraging by Falkland Islands birds accords with recent studies of the species at South Georgia and Kerguelen Islands and confirms this species preference for foraging over shelf areas rather than over deeper waters as in Campbell Island. 5.Although further study is needed, mainly to determine the foraging ranges of albatrosses from the southern group during the incubation period, their restriction to the Patagonian Shelf brings black-browed albatross from the Falkland Islands into contact with diverse and increasing fishing activities. The recent increase in longline fishing in this area is of particular concern. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.