Certification Schemes in Argentine Fisheries: Opportunities and Challenges for Seabird Conservation

In Argentina, one major factor playing a significant role in the implementation of better fishing practices is related to the advent of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification schemes in marine fisheries, given that one of its component addresses the impact of fishing operations on the ecosystem (e.g. effects on the environment, related species, bycatch). In recent years, several fisheries in Argentina—ranging from coastal ice trawlers targeting the Argentine anchovy Engraulis anchoita to freezer trawlers targeting the Patagonian scallop Zygochlamys patagonica and the Patagonian grenadier or Hoki Macruronus magellanicus have been certified under the MSC scheme. Although these processes are not driven by the Government certainly creates opportunities to develop better fishing practices including in the agendas of fishermen not only target species but also other management issues affecting the marine environment. In this chapter, we will review the current status of the certification schemes implemented in the latter referred fisheries regarding seabird conservation discussing challenges and opportunities from the seabird perspective

Migration strategies of skuas in the southwest Atlantic Ocean revealed by stable isotopes

Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were measured in feathers to compare the non-breeding distributions and habitat use of adult brown skuas Stercorarius antarcticus lönnbergi from high-latitude colonies at Esperanza/Hope Bay (Antarctic Peninsula, 63°S) and Signy Island (South Orkneys, 60°S), with those from Bird Island (South Georgia, 54°S), which have also been tracked previously using geolocators. Breeding colony, but not sex, had a significant effect on feather δ13C and δ15N values. Feather stable isotope data from South Georgia birds mostly corresponded to oceanic, mixed subtropical–subantarctic to subantarctic waters, which agrees with the tracking data, as did a subset of the birds from the two higher latitude populations. However, other individuals displayed feather stable isotope ratios that were consistent with continental shelf or shelf-slope waters, suggesting that unlike the vast majority of brown skuas from South Georgia, many birds from higher latitude colonies spend the non-breeding season on, or near, the Patagonian Shelf. These population-level differences may have implications for exposure to anthropogenic threats or have carryover effects on subsequent breeding behaviour or performance

Aves marinas de las costas bonaerenses

El Atlántico Sudoccidental es una de las regiones oceánicas más productivas del planeta, y esto contribuye a que las costas argentinas contengan abundantes colonias de aves marinas y sus aguas sean utilizadas por un importante número de especies que migran desde sitios reproductivos remotos para reaprovisionarse y pasar el invierno (Acha et al., 2004; Bastida et al., 2005). El litoral marítimo Bonaerense, caracterizado por contener una variedad de playas con extensos intermareales y sistemas estuariales mixohalinos, también recibe en su porción norte el aporte del Río de la Plata, uno de los tres estuarios más importantes y productivos del continente. Muchas de estas áreas son punto importante para el asentamiento y tránsito de aves como gaviotas, gaviotines y rayadores, ofreciendo también áreas de alimentación y descanso para numerosas especies de aves playeras migratorias (Martínez, 2001; García y Gómez Laich, 2007). Debido a su alta productividad, estuarios como la Bahía Samborombón, la laguna Mar Chiquita o Bahía Blanca, por mencionar los geográficamente más conspicuos, constituyen áreas de reproducción y cría de peces costeros (Cousseau y Perrotta, 1998; Mariano-Jelicich et al., 2014). Estos ambientes son particularmente aptos para el desarrollo de embriones y larvas de peces, proporcionan un alto grado de protección ante predadores y proveen de una abundante disponibilidad de alimento (Lasta, 1995). En parte, esta es la causa de las importantes abundancias de aves que pueden observarse en estos ambientes, generadores de recursos tróficos que en líneas generales son considerados más predecibles en espacio y tiempo en comparación con aquellos netamente marinos (Favero et al., 2001b; Mariano-Jelicich et al., 2003).Fil: Favero, Marco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Copello, Sofía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: García, Germán Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Mariano y Jelicich, Rocío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Ravasi, María Teresa. No especifíca;Fil: Seco Pon, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

New records of Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) in the atlantic coast, Provice of Buenos Aires, Argentina

La Familia Fregatidae incluye cinco especies de aves marinas, entre la que se encuentra el Ave Fragata (Fregata magnificens). Esta especie habita aguas tropicales del Océano Pacífico y Atlántico. En la Argentina existen contados registros publicados (hace más de 30 años) que datan su presencia. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo actualizar la base de datos correspondiente a dicha especie incluyendo cinco nuevos registros para los años 2007 (1), 2015 (1) y 2018 (3) en las áreas costeras de Mar del Plata y de la Albufera Mar Chiquita, provincia de Buenos Aires. Particularmente en uno de los avistamientos (zona pelágica a 9 km de la costa) pudo observarse al ave alimentarse del cebo descartado por un barco, comportamiento previamente registrado en pesquerías artesanales del sur de Brasil. Los datos aquí presentados son de particular importancia dada la relación evidente entre la época de avistamiento y el movimiento de masas de agua templadas de la corriente de Brasil hacia aguas de la plataforma continental argentina.The Fregatidae Family (frigatebirds) includes five species of seabirds among which is Fregata magnificens. This species inhabits the tropical waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In Argentina there are few records (since more than 30 years ago) of its presence. The aim of this work is to update the database corresponding to F. magnificens, including five new records during 2007 (1), 2015 (1) and 2018 (3) in the coastal areas of Mar del Plata and Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires province. Particularly, one of the sightings (pelagic zone, 9 km from the coast), a individual was observed feeding discard from a vessel, a behavior previously recorded in artisanal fisheries in southern Brazil. The data of the present work are of particular importance given the evident relationship between the time of sighting and the movement of warm water masses from the Brazilian current to waters of the Argentine Continental Shelf.Fil: Paz, Jesica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Copello, Sofía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Mariano y Jelicich, Rocío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Ranzoni, Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Veiga, Jorge O.. Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara; ArgentinaFil: Seco Pon, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Migration strategies of skuas in the southwest Atlantic Ocean revealed by stable isotopes

Stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were measured in feathers to compare the non-breeding distributions and habitat use of adult brown skuas Stercorarius antarcticus lönnbergi from high-latitude colonies at Esperanza/Hope Bay (Antarctic Peninsula, 63°S) and Signy Island (South Orkneys, 60°S), with those from Bird Island (South Georgia, 54°S), which have also been tracked previously using geolocators. Breeding colony, but not sex, had a significant effect on feather δ13C and δ15N values. Feather stable isotope data from South Georgia birds mostly corresponded to oceanic, mixed subtropical–subantarctic to subantarctic waters, which agrees with the tracking data, as did a subset of the birds from the two higher latitude populations. However, other individuals displayed feather stable isotope ratios that were consistent with continental shelf or shelf-slope waters, suggesting that unlike the vast majority of brown skuas from South Georgia, many birds from higher latitude colonies spend the non-breeding season on, or near, the Patagonian Shelf. These population-level differences may have implications for exposure to anthropogenic threats or have carryover effects on subsequent breeding behaviour or performance

Spatial and sex differences in mercury contamination of skuas in the Southern Ocean

Antarctic marine ecosystems are often considered to be pristine environments, yet wildlife in the polar regions may still be exposed to high levels of environmental contaminants. Here, we measured total mercury (THg) concentrations in blood samples from adult brown skuas Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi (n = 82) from three breeding colonies south of the Antarctic Polar Front in the Southern Ocean (southwest Atlantic region): (i) Bahía Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula; (ii) Signy Island, South Orkney Islands; and, (iii) Bird Island, South Georgia. Blood THg concentrations increased from the Antarctic Peninsula towards the Antarctic Polar Front, such that Hg contamination was lowest at Bahía Esperanza/Hope Bay (mean ± SD, 0.95 ± 0.45 μg g−1 dw), intermediate at Signy Island (3.42 ± 2.29 μg g−1 dw) and highest at Bird Island (4.47 ± 1.10 μg g−1 dw). Blood THg concentrations also showed a weak positive correlation with δ15N values, likely reflecting the biomagnification process. Males had higher Hg burdens than females, which may reflect deposition of Hg into eggs by females or potentially differences in their trophic ecology. These data provide important insights into intraspecific variation in contamination and the geographic transfer of Hg to seabirds in the Southern Ocean

Pelagic seabirds as biomonitors of persistent organic pollutants in the Southwestern Atlantic

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are accumulated through time and can exert different effect on ecosystems. POPs and Chlorpyrifos, a current use pesticide, were assessed in body feathers of males and females of Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris, BBA) and Cape petrels (Daption capense, CAP) during their non-breeding seasons at the Patagonian Shelf, Argentina. Chlorpyrifos showed the highest values among all pollutants in both species (49.56–84.88 ng g−1), resulting from current agricultural practices. The pattern OCPs > PCBs > PBDEs was observed in both species, and CAP showed higher concentrations than BBA probably as a consequence of higher lipid mobilization and pollutants availability during dispersion. Non-significant differences between sexes about POPs levels were found; however a slight tendency was observed, females>males in CAP, and males>females in BBA. More attention and further studies are needed to understand seabirds' physiology and its relationship with the pollutants distribution in their tissues and considering breeding season.Fil: Quadri Adrogué, Agustina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas. Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología; ArgentinaFil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas. Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Copello, Sofía. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Favero, Marco. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Seco Pon, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Birds of Two Oceans? Trans-Andean and Divergent Migration of Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger cinerascens) from the Peruvian Amazon

We are grateful for assistance from John Terborgh, Antonio Guerra Rosas, Marcos Maguiña, Inés Nole, John Takekawa, Lisa Ferguson, Juan Kapeshi, Nikanor Kapeshi, Cathy Bykowsky, Chi (Tim) Lam, Scott Robinson, Fabrice Schmitt, and Cesar Flores. Alex Jahn, Ugo Mellone, Sergio Lambertucci and one anonymous reviewer provided comments that helped improve the manuscript.Seasonal flooding compels some birds that breed in aquatic habitats in Amazonia to undertake annual migrations, yet we know little about how the complex landscape of the Amazon region is used seasonally by these species. The possibility of trans-Andes migration for Amazonian breeding birds has largely been discounted given the high geographic barrier posed by the Andean Cordillera and the desert habitat along much of the Pacific Coast. Here we demonstrate a trans-Andes route for Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger cinerascens) breeding on the Manu River (in the lowlands of Manu National Park, Perú), as well as divergent movement patterns both regionally and across the continent. Of eight skimmers tracked with satellite telemetry, three provided data on their outbound migrations, with two crossing the high Peruvian Andes to the Pacific. A third traveled over 1800 km to the southeast before transmissions ended in eastern Paraguay. One of the two trans-Andean migrants demonstrated a full round-trip migration back to its tagging location after traveling down the Pacific Coast from latitude 9° South to latitude 37° S, spending the austral summer in the Gulf of Arauco, Chile. This is the first documentation of a trans-Andes migration observed for any bird breeding in lowland Amazonia. To our knowledge, this research also documents the first example of a tropical-breeding waterbird migrating out of the tropics to spend the non-breeding season in the temperate summer, this being the reverse pattern with respect to seasonality for austral migrants in general.Yeshttp://www.plosone.org/static/editorial#pee

Microsatellite Variability Among Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger intercedens) Populations in Southern South America

Rynchops niger intercedens, one of the South American subspecies of the Black Skimmer, is a widely distributed neotropical bird for which many ecological aspects, such as migratory routes and site fidelity, are unknown. Two distinct breeding phenologies have been reported for this subspecies, which may create the genetic isolation of populations. Six microsatellite loci were used to study the genetic structure of the Black Skimmer in southern South America, comparing breeding populations from Brazil and Argentina and individuals from the main non-breeding site at Argentina. A weak genetic differentiation between colonies, although statistically significant, was observed. This low genetic structure (despite different breeding phenologies) could be explained by demographic history of these populations and/or the effect of a very important non-breeding site in southern South America shared by these populations. Further studies applying a broader range of molecular markers plus improvement of extant banding efforts are required to better understand the dispersal mechanisms of this species. Received 9 August 2013, accepted 10 October 2013Fil: Mariano y Jelicich, Rocío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Madrid, Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología; Argentin