SEABIRD REPORT 1997/98 "GENTOO PENGUIN (Pygoscelis papua) Studies by the Environmental Research Unit indicate that Gentoo numbers increased by 18% since 1996/97, giving a current Falklands population of around 80,700 pairs. This represents a welcome recovery following a decline from around 100,000 pairs during the 1980s, to 65,000 pairs in 1995/96. During 1997/98 a mean of 0.92 chicks per nest were reared, which is slightly above average.
ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN (Eudyptes c.chrysocome) Rockhopper numbers increased by 11%, giving a current Falklands population of around 330,000 pairs. This still represents a serious decline from a previous population of over 3,000,000 pairs. Most of this decline occurred during the 1980s, with mass mortality of adults from starvation. During 1997/98 a mean of 0.70 chicks per nest were recorded, which is slightly below average.
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (Spheniscus magellanicus) Magellanic Penguin numbers increased by 7%, but this still represents an overall population decline to around half its 1980s level. During 1997/98 a mean of 1.01 chicks per nest were reared, which is slightly above average.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Diomedea melanophris) Albatross numbers increased by 2%, giving a current Falklands population of around 550,000 pairs. Early indications are that breeding success has been high during 1997/98 (< 0.6 chicks per nest).
KING CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax atriceps albiventer) King Cormorant numbers increased by 1%. During 1997/98 a mean of 1.74 chicks per nest were reared, which is well above average.
ROCK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax magellanicus) Rock Cormorant numbers decreased by 2%. During 1997/98 a mean of 1.60 chicks per nest were reared, which is slightly below average.
SUMMARY There has been no obvious effect on seabird populations from El Nino in the Falkland Islands. The 1980s and early 1990s saw dramatic population declines amongst Falkland penguin populations, with very low breeding success and juvenile survival rates. These declines were not evident across the water in Chile. The cause was believed to be low food availability around the Falklands, possibly related to commercial fishing. This trend has reversed since 1993/94, with high numbers of chicks now being raised by all species, and higher juvenile survival. This has allowed Gentoo populations to recover rapidly, but Rockhoppers will need decades to recover from their population crash. Unlike other species, the Magellanic Penguin has continued to decline up until this season, and breeding success for the Falkland population is consistently lower than for similar sites studied by the Environmental Research Unit in Chile."--Mike Bingham <mbingham@horizon.co.fk>