Seabird Bycatch Identification Guide – an update

One of the pending tasks in the SBWG agenda is the updating of the Seabird Bycatch Identification Guide (ID guide). During 2018 ACAP supported this task with core funding to update the ID guide with collaboration with BirdLife's International Albatross Task Force (Chile), Te Papa Museum and Forest & Bird (New Zealand). This included the systematic review of the 38 albatross, petrel, and shearwater species in the 2015 version of the ID guide. So far, this update included at-sea photos, scientific nomenclature for some species, and changes in their conservation status. Finally, supporting material for diagnostic features between species and for ACAP listed species not yet included in this guide (Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus) is also provided for the local adaptation of this ID guide in response to local contexts for ACAP Parties and other jurisdictional or international waters. The updated ID guide will be available in September 2019.