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The ASG, the oldest of Birds Australia's Special Interest Groups, was formed in 1971. Its objectives are to promote seabird research and conservation in Australasia. We pursue our objectives through a range of activities. These include publication of a bulletin and other seabird material, organisation of symposia of issues affecting seabirds, provision of expert opinion on the management and conservation of seabird populations in Australasia, and the co-ordination of projects including a survey of seabird islands and the beach patrol projects.
Latest News
Island Surveys 2010
Island surveys will be conducted within the Broughton Island Group NSW in September and December 2010. Experience in biodiversity surveys, in-hand seabird identification and a good fitness level are preferred. ASG members that have the relevant experience will be given first preference on any trip. Contact
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to reserve your spot.
World Seabird Conference
The 1st World Seabird Conference will take place in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada from 7 - 11 September 2010. The goal of this Conference is to put seabird management and conservation into a worldwide perspective. By bringing 500 - 600 participants from over 30 countries together, we will comprehensively address the global issues and data needs for seabirds, most of which inhabit multiple countries and waters within their own ranges. For more information or to attend this important conference visit the website.
Research Work
 Seabird Island Re-surveys
Some years ago reports on surveys of seabird breeding sites where published as a series in the journal Corella. Compiled between the late 1960s to early 1980s, these are often the only information available on many of Australia’s offshore islands. With impacts such as invasion of the adjacent coastal areas by weed species in the last few decades and the gradual impact of climate change, it is timely for many islands to be revisited. In 2008 the ASG began re-surveying the offshore islands near NSW, and it is planned that this will be extended to other States.
ASG members that have the relevant experience are given first preference on any trip, however surveys are open to all Birds Australia members. Experience in biodiversity surveys, in-hand seabird identification and a good fitness level are preferred.
Beach Patrol Project
The Birds Australia Beach Patrol scheme has used regular patrols of our coastline for beachcast seabirds in an effort to discover what is happening to the populations of seabirds in the Australasian area and the Southern Ocean, as well as improving knowledge of their seasonal movements and causes of mortality. The aims and methodology of this project include monitoring oceanic pollution by oil spills and plastic debris, improving knowledge on the distribution of seabirds in Australasian seas and encouraging member’s skills and interest in seabird identification.
 Conservation
There are many serious problems facing seabirds today. One of the most urgent of these is the catastrophic decline of some albatross and petrel populations in the Southern Ocean, as a direct result of mortality from the interactions with commercial fisheries, particularly those using longline and trawl gear. Some breeding populations, and possibly entire species, face extinction within a few years if nothing is done to prevent birds being killed or injured through these interactions. The ASG works with Governments and fishers to encourage the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures routinely in fishing operations, and to carry out risk-assessment of fishing activities on seabird populations in fisheries where bycatch is problematic.
Other problems for seabirds include marine pollution, human persecution and disturbance, and the introduction of feral predators to breeding islands. A more long-term concern is the impact global climate change may have on the numbers and distribution of seabird prey species. One of the most important tasks facing the ASG is increasing awareness of such threats within governments and the community.
Many seabirds are threatened on the open seas, outside the jurisdiction or capability of national governments to protect them. Seabirds require global cooperation between governments and NGOs to help protect them.
Publications
 Seabird AtlasThe Seabird Atlas of South-eastern Australian Waters was published in 2002. Australia's first seabird atlas is based on over 42,000 records of 80 species collected on more than 70 oceanic cruises. It covers about 90% of the area off the coasts of south-eastern South Australia, southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as far as 49 degrees South.
The data is presented graphically as maps of relative abundance in one-degree blocks, and also in terms of seasonal distribution. The associated database forms an invaluable resource for future comparisons, in order to determine trends in seabird distribution and numbers. It will also serve as a model for similar atlases covering other seas and coasts in the Region.
Journal of Marine OrnithologyThe ASG, along with the Pacific Seabird Group, the African Seabird Group and the Dutch Seabird Group publishes a scientific journal on the research and management of seabirds. Marine Ornithology has become an important contribution to our knowledge of the world's seabirds.
The ASG Bulletin
Since 1993 ASG has been publishing the Australasian Seabird Group Bulletin twice a year. The ASG Bulletin contains behavioural observations, reviews, long articles and short notes, sightings of rarities and identification tips, surveys of islands and shipping routes, as well as much editorial material. Back issues are available for $11AUD each, including postage.
Symposium
A symposium devoted to the biology and management of Australian gulls and terns was held on Phillip Island in Victoria on 1 May 2010. Download a copy of the abstracts.
 Join ASG
ASG membership is open to anyone interested in the conservation and research of seabirds in the Australasian and Antarctic regions and adjacent oceans. Membership entitles you to receive the ASG Bulletin and priority selection on island re-survey teams.
By becoming a member you are contributing to the conservation of global biodiversity and our natural environment. Download this form to join now.
Donations
Donations of time, effort and money are vitally important to our research program. All monetary donations over $2AUD are tax-deductible when paid through Birds Australia. All office-bearers of the ASG are unpaid, and our community survey projects are carried out by volunteers.
Contacts
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, Secretary
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, Bulletin Editor
Executive Committee
Barry Baker (Convenor), Ashley Bunce (Treasurer), Nicholas Carlile (Secretary), Andre Chiaradia (Bulletin Editor), David Nicholls (Beach Patrol Convenor - Australia), Mark Carey (student rep), Nick Dunlop, David Eades, Kees Hulsman, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Eric Woehler, David Priddel and Peter Dann.
 Useful Seabird Links
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels
Australian Marine Conservation Society Sustainable Seafood Guide
Birdlife International Global Seabird Program
British Antarctic Survey loggers
Corella
Directory of Australasian Pelagic Seabird Trips
Lotek Fish and Wildlife Monitoring
Marine Ornithology
Microwave Telemetry
Notornis: Ornithology of the South Pacific
Ornithological Society Of New Zealand
Sirtrack Wildlife Tracking Solutions
Southern Oceans Seabird Study Assoc (SOSSA)
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