Includes bibliographical references (pages 268-292) and index.

The albatross is currently the most threatened bird group in the world. The authors tell the story of a potental extinction that has been interrupted by an unlikely alliance of governments, conservation groups, and fishermen. The albatross's fate is linked to the fate of two of the highest-value table fish, Bluefin Tuna and Patagonian Toothfish, which are threatened by unregulated commercial harvesting. Commercial fishing techniques are annually killing tens of thousands of albatrosses and the breeding biology of albatrosses makes them unable to replenish their numbers at the rate they are being depleted. The authors set the albatross's fate in the larger context of threats facing the ocean commons, ranging from industrial overfishing to our habit of dumping chemicals, solid waste, and plastic trash into the open seas. They also highlight the efforts of dedicated individuals, environmental groups, fishery management bodies, and governments who are working for seabird and fish conservation and demonstrate that these efforts can lead to sustainable solutions for the iconic seabirds and the entire ocean ecosystem.

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