Christchurch, 17 November 2006 -- The Parties to ACAP, the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels held their second meeting between 13th - 17th November 2006 in Christchurch Town Hall on New Zealand's South Island.

CMS Executive Secretary, Robert Hepworth, representing UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner delivered a statement welcoming ACAP's engagement in combating the threats facing albatrosses and petrels, particularly bycatch, marine pollution, chemical poisoning, habitat degradation and reduction in prey. He highlighted the parent Convention's continuing commitment to address bycatch and climate change, both important factors having a detrimental effect on albatross and petrel populations. Mr Hepworth urged the ACAP Parties to make common cause with CMS to maintain the momentum towards achieving 2010 Biodiversity targets.

Mr. Hepworth congratulated New Zealand on its success in promoting the conservation of two species on the Chatham Islands. The year 2006 had seen the first Chatham petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) chick to fledge there for over a century and successful predator control had allowed a modern record of eleven Taiko (Pterodroma magentae) chicks to be born in the archipelago. "It is encouraging in the face of daunting challenges to be able to point to such tangible advances", said Mr. Hepworth. He also mentioned a number of recent and forthcoming CMS-related initiatives. "The Avian Influenza Scientific Task Force, the first World Migratory Waterbird Day, the Year of the Dolphin 2007 and the recent CMS publication: "Migratory Species and Climate Change - impacts of a changing environment on wild animals"; have all provided evidence of the Convention's leading role in developing scientific expertise as well as cross cutting issues affecting migratory species", he said.

Particularly welcome was the appointment of Barry Baker to the CMS Scientific Council with the specific remit for bycatch. The former interim secretary of ACAP and Australian CMS focal point was taking up the post with support from the Australian government over the next three years.

In addition to the Headquarters Agreement between the secretariat and the host government, Australia, the Meeting considered the secretariat's work programme for the forthcoming triennium. Revisions to the Action Plan which covers species conservation, habitat management and restoration, mitigation of the impacts of human activities and research were also high on the agenda. Participants also considered amendments to Annex I listing the albatross and petrel species covered by the Agreement. The outcomes of the meeting will be available on the ACAP web-page in due course (www.acap.aq).

During their stay in New Zealand, participants paid a visit to Kaikoura, on the North Eastern Pacific coast of the South Island, where there is a thriving wildlife watching sector with boat trips to see albatrosses and petrels, resident dusky dolphins, and near-resident sperm whales. Kaikoura is an excellent example of how migratory species can "pay their way" in a sustainable manner.

Click here to read the full text of Mr. Hepworth's speech