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Threatened species & ecological communities

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Summary of species issues and recommendations

• Tropical gadfly petrels - Round petrel and Herald Island petrel
• Soft-plumaged petrel, blue petrel and fairy prions (southern)
• Heard shag and Macquarie shag
• Antarctic tern (New Zealand) and Antarctic tern (Indian Ocean)
• Australian lesser noddy

Tropical gadfly petrels - Round petrel and Herald Island petrel

• There is taxonomic uncertainty regarding the 'Pterodroma arminjoniana/heraldica' type petrel that was recorded on North Keeling Island in the 1980s. Further, there have been no records since that time, despite recent attempts to locate birds. Breeding has never been confirmed on North Keeling Island.
• If a species of Pterodroma still occurs on North Keeling Island, collection of genetic material for analysis should be considered a priority, together with collection of a range of morphometric data, to determine its true taxonomic affinity. It should be noted that killing a live bird to achieve taxonomic resolution is unacceptable as non-lethal methods such as blood or feathers can provide appropriate genetic material. Until taxonomy and breeding are confirmed, the Round Island Petrel should be considered a vagrant or irregular visitor.
• Should Round Island Petrels still occur on North Keeling Island, establish whether or not breeding occurs and establish appropriate on-going monitoring programs.
• Appropriate quarantine measures should be implemented/maintained by management authorities at North Keeling Island and Raine Island to maintain a barrier to exotic predators.

Soft-plumaged petrel, blue petrel and fairy prions (southern)

• On Macquarie Island, the integrated eradication of feral pests - rabbits and rodents - must be given highest priority to assist effective conservation of all burrowing petrel species on the island.
• Strict quarantine procedures for access to Maatsuyker Island should be introduced to minimise the risk of introducing feral pests to the island. Quarantine procedures for Macquarie Island must be continued.
• Targeted long term monitoring for all three species should be implemented in order to track the trends in their population numbers, breeding effort and productivity, including the response to eradication of feral pests. Such monitoring must be conducted so as to minimise any researcher impact.
• The taxonomic status of fairy prions on Macquarie Island should be clarified. The subspecies are currently distinguished on the basis of bill characters and plumage. A global review of the group, incorporating molecular markers, would assist in clarification.
• The rock stacks adjacent to Macquarie Island should be surveyed to assess population size of threatened species present.
• Where possible, long radio and HF dipole aerials should be replaced by whip aerials to reduce the incidental mortality caused by bird strike. Ongoing monitoring of numbers killed by strikes to assess success of replacement aerials should be conducted.
• The taxonomic status of Soft-plumaged Petrels breeding on Maatsuyker Island (and Macquarie Island, should breeding be confirmed) should be established.
• All colonies to be protected and managed in such a way that human disturbance is minimised.

Heard shag and Macquarie shag

• On Macquarie Island, conduct annual island-wide breeding census, incorporating visits to all sites known to have been used for breeding. Surveys to be timed and recorded so that meaningful assessments of population status and inter-annual variation can be drawn.
• The presence/status of the Macquarie shag population breeding on Bishop and Clerk Is should be assessed.
• Complete surveys of Heard Shag populations to be undertaken when possible in order to assess population status.
• Progress feral pest eradication program on Macquarie Island to mitigate possibility of rat predation on eggs and chicks.
• Ensure effective quarantine programs at all sites to minimise introduction of pests.
• Where possible, long radio and HF dipole aerials should be replaced by whip aerials to reduce the incidental morality caused by bird strike.
• All colonies to be protected and managed in such a way that human disturbance is minimised.
• Maintain current prohibitions of fishing in waters immediately adjacent to the breeding islands.

Antarctic tern (New Zealand) and Antarctic tern (Indian Ocean)

• Continue monitoring of breeding population size and breeding success on Macquarie Island.
• When possible, monitor breeding population size and breeding success on Heard Island.
• Progress feral pest eradication program on Macquarie Island to mitigate possibility of rat predation on eggs and chicks.
• Continue rabbit control on Macquarie Island
• Ensure effective quarantine programs at all sites are maintained to minimise the introduction of pests.
• All colonies to be managed in such a way that human disturbance is minimised.

Australian lesser noddy

• The existence of Australian lesser noddies at Ashmore reef requires confirmation.
• Should Australian lesser noddies still occur at Ashmore Reef, establish their taxonomic affinity, and whether or not the population is a breeding population. All colonies should be managed in such a way that human disturbance is minimised.
• Maintain monitoring and management of breeding islands at Houtman Abrolhos.
• Implement the recommendations of the Fisheries Management Paper No.117 (Department of Fisheries 2002) in relation to exotic plant and feral animal control and quarantine procedures to prevent introduction of exotic plants and animals.