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Fiji Petrel: Scientists Embark on Journey to Find Critically Endangered Seabird
Researchers experienced in the handling and tracking of seabirds begin an expedition to study the critically endangered Fiji petrel.
Photo by Kyle McBurine, National Geographic Pristine Seas
Suva, Fiji (May 2) — National Geographic Pristine Seas, in partnership with BirdLife International, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti (BirdLife International’s Partner), the Fiji Ministry of the Environment and iTaukei affairs will visit the waters off Gau Island to try and locate Fiji petrels at sea, in an effort to determine the location for their nesting grounds. Finding the elusive birds’ nesting locations will enable measures to be taken to protect them, which can help them to breed safely and recover their population.
As one of the rarest seabirds in the world, scientists have been limited in studying the Fiji petrel, but filling gaps in data about the species is key to their conservation and protection. Seabirds are critical to marine ecosystems; their guano enrich coastal soils and nearshore waters with nutrients which acts as an important link between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. They come to land primarily to breed and travel far out into the ocean to forage for food. They are unique indicators of ocean health and can reflect broader changes in marine ecosystems.
The Fiji petrel is also culturally significant in Fiji. The seabird is known to local residents of Gau Island and is depicted on Fiji’s currency. The bird is protected under both Fiji’s Endangered and Protected Species Act, as well as the U.S. Endangered Species act which regulates trade of endangered species within Fiji or internationally and provides specific conservation measures to protect the species from population decline.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to solve one of the greatest mysteries in seabird conservation: finding the nest of the Fiji petrel, a bird that has remained hidden for over a century and holds deep cultural significance, appearing on Fiji’s $20 note and in traditional lullabies,” said Lindsay Young, Vice President of Research at Pristine Seas and leader of the expedition to track Fiji petrels. “Teetering on the edge of extinction, this magnificent species embodies both scientific hope and the pride of the people of Gau, who have cherished it for generations. We’re hopeful that the insights from this journey will help drive efforts to safeguard one of Fiji’s most important birds.”
In order to locate the Fiji petrel, the team will study the waters off Gau Island to try and locate the birds at sea and put a location tracker on them in order to determine the area for their nesting grounds on land. The effort aims to shed light on one of the rarest and least understood bird species in the world.
“The Kacau ni Gau or Fiji petrel embodies nature’s resilience — enduring threats from predators, habitat loss, and more. It stands as a beacon of hope, as the custodians of its believed breeding grounds reconnect with the bird, reviving the stories once carried through lullabies.,” said Stephanie Borrelle, Pacific Marine Coordinator of BirdLife International. “As the people of Gau, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, and BirdLife come together to protect the Fiji petrel, they are not only restoring a vital connection with their heritage, but also strengthening the resilience of the island’s land, sea, and life itself.”
This seabird expedition is part of the Pristine Seas team’s expedition in Fiji, which began in mid-April and continues through September. The island nation is one of the stops on Pristine Seas’ Global Expedition, a five-year project to explore the tropical Pacific and support communities and governments in their efforts to protect the ocean. The team’s expedition in Fiji is the ninth stop on its Global Expedition, during which the team has studied the Southern Line Islands, Tongareva, Niue, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. For updates from the expedition follow @natgeopristineseas on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads or read our Field Notes.
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About National Geographic Pristine Seas
National Geographic Pristine Seas works with Indigenous and local communities, governments, and other partners to protect vital places in the ocean through research, policy, and filmmaking. Since 2008, Pristine Seas has helped establish 30 marine protected areas, spanning more than 6.9 million square kilometers of ocean.
Pristine Seas is part of the global non-profit, the National Geographic Society. Our mission is driven by science and filmmaking — we are fully independent from National Geographic publishing and its media arm.
Pristine Seas' work is made possible through the generous support of the Beagle Charitable Foundation, Allison Bennington, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Campbell Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, Don Quixote Foundation, The Heinz Family Foundation, Anne K. Howson, Levy Foundation, LGT Venture Philanthropy, Lindblad Expeditions– National Geographic Fund, Look and See Foundation, Ann Luskey, Oracle, Philip Stephenson Foundation, Postcode Lottery Group, Rituals, Serventi Family Foundation, Tanka Foundation, Ted and Michele Waitt–TTMMC Fund, UBS Optimus Foundation, Walmart Foundation, an anonymous donor, and other individual donors.
About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
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