Falklands Marine Outer Exclusive Economic Zone South (47233)
Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: Falklands Marine Outer Exclusive Economic Zone South
Central coordinates: Latitude: -54.4685, Longitude: -55.7951
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 50593.41271
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This site is critical for Wandering Albatross – a globally threatened species – from the Bird Island colony at South Georgia, during the period when they incubate eggs. This offshore, pelagic site, is a key area where these birds likely congregate to feed. The site sits within the EEZ of the Falkland Islands, and FAO region 41 (Atlantic, Southwest). It is managed as part of the territorial waters of Falkland Islands Government. Management actions at the site were not assessed during site delineation. A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: 1 species triggers KBA criteria at this site: Wandering Albatross (VU) during incubation, 2.7% global pop (best available data as of 2018).
Additional biodiversity: Among the birds that feed there are the black-browed albatross, gray-headed albatross, white-chinned petrels, Magellanic penguins, rockhopper penguin, the gentoo and king penguins. Among mammals, they highlight the sea lions and elephant seals
Delineation rationale: This site was identified using 1) the 'tracking data to marine IBA' approach for Wandering 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.).
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unknown | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Unknown |