Conservation and Management

Disturbance, Degradation Of Habitat, Other Human-Caused Effects

Numerous colonies extirpated owing to feral animal introduction and human disturbance (Appendix; Lindsey et al. 2000, Schreiber 2000a). Colony at Bahia del Pabellon, west coast Mexico (18,000 pairs), in danger from human disturbance owing to boat canal dredged near island (Everett and Anderson 1991). Colony on Great Tobago, British Virgin Is. (500–600 pairs) threatened by feral goats destroying vegetation. Murphy (1936) reported roost at Guadeloupe where hundreds were slaughtered at night for their fat. Increasing numbers of boaters in many areas of range causes increased disturbance in colonies. Colony of about 2,000 pairs on Barbuda, e. West Indies, used as eco-tourist attraction, patrolled by Barbudans (Schreiber 1997). Continued disturbance at breeding colonies, and dependence on food made available at surface by underwater predators (dolphins, tuna) that are themselves threatened, give no cause for optimism for the future of this species; but most colonies not visited in many years and good data are lacking (AWD, EAS).

Pollutants, Plastics

No data on effects of pollution, pesticides, and other contaminants. Regurgitates do not contain plastics, suggesting individuals do not pick up floating plastic at sea as some seabirds do (EAS, AWD).

Fishing

Not vulnerable to gill-nets as they do not dive. Possibly susceptible to capture by long-line fishing vessels but no data on mortality from this. No data to indicate effects of over-fishing.

Conservation Status

West Indian population considered “near threatened” (Schreiber 2000a); approximately 50% of Caribbean colonies extirpated (Appendix). Fact that historic colonies, such as Barbuda, have not changed locations by more than a few meters in years (Schreiber 1997) suggests that species probably does not readily move nesting locations when subjected to disturbance.

In Caribbean, only one colony (Barbuda) known to be regularly patrolled for protection (Schreiber 1996, 1997). Colony on Great Tobago, British Virgin Is., protected only by difficult access; goats are destroying vegetation allowing no regeneration of trees; eventually frigatebirds will have to nest on ground where vulnerable to trampling and goats. On Pedro Cays, off Jamaica, introduced dogs, cats, and rats are problems in addition to human habitation and probable poaching (Lindsey et al. 2000). Nesting colony on Man ’O War Cay, Belize, protected by reserve status (Crown reserve; Belize Audubon Society), but lack of enforcement means colony is potentially vulnerable to disturbance, although local eco-tourist guides, who make use of the caye as an attraction (generally from boats, without disturbance), “keep an eye” on it (A. Poole pers. comm.). Great need for censuses, for protection of colonies, and for development of management plans if species is to be preserved in Caribbean (Schreiber 2000a, 2000b; Schreiber and Lee 2000).

Measures Proposed And Taken

Colony of about 2,000 pairs on Barbuda, reportedly largest in Caribbean, has no legal protection but regulations have been proposed to Government of Antigua and Barbuda (Schreiber 1996). Eco-tour operations caused some disruption in past; in 1998, EAS trained fishermen and tour guides to conduct eco-tours of the colony, allowing people to see it without disturbing birds. Species is declining and in need of both legal and physical protection in its colonies.