Status and conservation of seabirds breeding in Argentina

We present information on the current population status of seabirds that br eed along the Patagonian coast obtained between 1993 and 1995. A total of 1 6 species, including two penguins, one petrel, five cormorants, three gulls , three terns and two skuas, breed along the 3,400-km coast from southern B uenos Aires (38 degrees 58'S) to Tierra del Fuego (54 degrees 50'5) Breedin g seabirds are not as abundant in coastal Argentina as was previously thoug ht. Eleven of the 16 species have less than 5,000 pairs. The most abundant seabird is the Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus with 964,000 pair s, an order of magnitude higher than all other species. As well as Magellan ic Penguins, Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus, and Imperial Cormorants Phalacro corax atriceps are relatively abundant and have a wide distribution. Other seabirds, such as Red-legged Cormorants P. gaimardi, Olrog's Gulls L, atlan ticus, and Dolphin Gulls L. scoresbii, have a highly restricted distributio n or nest in small colonies at a few sites in Argentina. The Patagonian coa st is one of the most pristine coastal ecosystems in the world and, thus fa r, few seabirds are seriously threatened. However, oil pollution and commer cial fisheries are having a negative impact on some seabirds and some colon ies have shown recent declines. Current threats and impacts, including poll ution, fisheries, human disturbance, guano harvesting, and introduction of alien species are discussed. There are currently 34 protected coastal areas , although in many cases protection measures are not adequately enforced an d some areas with high seabird diversity and abundance still lack legal and effective protection. Conservation actions and requirements, including dir ect actions, monitoring and research are suggested.