Antarctica - Clarence Island Marine (30929)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: Antarctica - Clarence Island Marine
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.5807, Longitude: -52.4483
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 84369.46792
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site is critical for the globally threatened species, Grey-headed Albatross, and the near threatened species, Light-mantled Albatross. Particularly during the post-guard breeding period. The site protrudes from two small islands, Elephant and Clarence Island. The site is primarily offshore and pelagic, and is a key area where these birds likely congregate to feed. The site sits primarily in Southern Ocean, and FAO regions 41 and 48 (Atlantic, Southwest).Some tuna fisheries which operate in the area and are a threat to albatross and petrel species align themselves with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: 1 species triggers KBA criteria at this site: Grey-headed Albatross (EN) during post-guard, 0.82% global pop (best available data as of 2018). The site was also previously identified as IBA for Light-mantled Albatross (NT) during post-guard, c. 6100 individuals.
Additional biodiversity: Across Elephant and Clarence Island, numerous Chinstrap Penguins breed. Other birds observed in the area include Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica), Cape Petrel (Daption capense), Kerguelen Petrel (Lugensa brevirostris), Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea), Wilson’s Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), Black-bellied Storm-petrel (Fregetta tropica), Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys), Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma), Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata), Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) and the Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus). Additionally, breeding pairs of Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) and Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica) have been recorded. See the terretrial IBA inventory (Harris et al. 2015) for futher details.
Delineation rationale: This site was identified using 1) the 'tracking data to marine IBA' approach for Grey-headed albatross (This method involves determining the distribution of species by tracking their movement via satellite tags. The animal tracks which are obtained are then assessed for whether or not they represent the sampled population. Finally, a core area which can be assessed against the KBA criteria is identified.). This site also includes details for other species from previous IBA identification exercises.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unknown | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Unknown |