Fisheries New Zealand, along with the Department of Conservation have partnered up to increase their understanding of New Zealand albatross species, especially their foraging range and distribution. Albatrosses have been used by the French to find illegal fishery operations by detecting radar signals from fishing vessels and cross-crediting these against Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). They are ideal for operations like these as they travel long distances and also gravitate towards fishing ships for the chance of accessing food. 20 radar detection tags were placed on New Zealand albatross last month and tracked during their journey to South America. Radar detections will be checked and it is expected that a report will be available next month on the findings.

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