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As a part of the planning process, the Service consulted with the public, other federal and conservation agencies, and non-governmental and private organizations. All public comments and information received during the public comment period were considered in the development of the environmental assessment. The environmental assessment, associated documents and permits, and project details are available at: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll

Within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial supports over three million birds from 30 different species. Nearly 40 percent of all Black-footed albatross and 70 percent of all Laysan albatross in the world rely on the approximately 1500 acres of islands that comprise the remote atoll. Seabirds face a myriad of threats – from fishery interactions and marine debris to invasive species and shrinking habitat. Safe places like Midway Atoll, where seabirds can rest and raise their young, are critical for their ability to survive into the future.

Graphic summary: Midway Atoll is home to the largest albatross colony in the world and is the most important and successful breeding ground for Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis). The albatross and 30 different species found on Midway Atoll’s three islands are susceptible to predation by mice.

Non-native, invasive house mice and black rats became established on Midway Atoll’s Sand Island more than 75 years ago, before it was a refuge and memorial. House mice persisted after black rats were eradicated in 1996 and are now the sole rodent and non-native mammal present in the Monument.

The majority of seabird extinctions around the world have been caused by invasive mammals, in particular non-native rodents. For most of the island’s history, there were no rodents on Midway Atoll. Pacific seabirds like the albatross evolved without any fear or defense mechanisms against mammalian predators like mice, rats, cats, dogs, or humans.

Biologists do not yet know what triggered the mice to begin preying on the albatross. Mice are omnivores - meaning that they will eat any source of food they can find in their quest to survive – and although they had been present on Midway Atoll for decades, there had never been a documented case of predation on adult albatross by mice before the 2015 hatching season.

A series of photos showing a nesting Laysan albatross with visible bits and wounds from a mouse attack to the head and back. Photos by USFWS

Part of the danger to the colony is that mice reproduce very quickly compared to albatrosses, which have a very slow reproductive cycle. Albatross pairs only have one egg every one to two years, and both parents invest a lot of energy into hatching and raising that chick. The incredible amount of time and work necessary for albatrosses to survive to adulthood, find a mate, and become a successful parent means that each adult bird is incredibly important to the overall survival of the colony.

Their lack of defense mechanisms and complete dedication to their eggs has left albatrosses vulnerable to predation. Their slow reproductive cycle means that losses to the colony from being preyed on by mice will continue to impact the population for decades to come.

Mice are omnivores, meaning they will eat any readily available food source. It is undetermined what caused the mice to start preying on albatross as a food source. Video by USFWS

To date, there have been more than 500 successful projects to remove invasive rodents from islands, and the project on Midway Atoll models similar, successful projects elsewhere. Similar invasive rodent removal campaigns successfully resulted in long-term benefits to native species and outweighed any limited, short-lived negative impacts.

The Service has coordinated with the Monument co-managers and worked with Island Conservation, American Bird Conservancy, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, and other members of the conservation community in the synthesis and development of the science that contributed to the development of Final Environmental Assessment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to work with partners and continually evaluate all aspects of the project as it progresses to ensure that the expectations outlined in the project plan are being met.

For background on this new threat to albatross: https://rebrand.ly/MidwaySeabird

For downloadable photos and video, please visit: https://rebrand.ly/MidwayProtectionImages

A video of the millions of seabirds that call Midway Atoll home. The Service proposes to eradicate all mice from Midway Atoll and protect the future of the atoll’s seabird population. A pair of Laysan Albatross perform a courtship dance in the lower left corner.  Video by Holly Richards / USFWS

Located on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, Midway Atoll Refuge and Memorial is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It is one the oldest Atoll formations in the world, it provides nesting habitat for millions of seabirds, and it is a touchstone for one of the most significant naval battles of World War II, and in history, the Battle of Midway. To learn more about the Midway Atoll: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/midway_Atoll/

Biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working to restore the habitat seabirds need at Midway Atoll and remove threats like invasive predators - because protecting the future for seabirds mean protecting the places they call home.

Discover more about this threat and the Project:

For photos and background on this new threat to albatross: https://rebrand.ly/MidwayProtectionImages

For background on this new threat to albatross: https://rebrand.ly/MidwaySeabird

Read more stories about Midway Atoll and the Albatross at:

Midway’s Albatross: A New Threat Puts the World’s Largest Colony at Risk

Video: Battle of Midway Commemoration Film

The Return of Midway’s Albatross

The Laysan Albatross: A Lovesong

Midway Atoll: Restoring an Ecological Gem

A Future to Count on for Albatross at Midway NWR

Discovering Midway’s Cultural History

War and Peace at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial

Return to Midway: A short-tailed albatross love story