Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p38
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 38/98)
Character Range: 325203–328577

of breeding sites across their range (McInnes 2021, pers. comm., 15 December 2021). There were also haplotypes detected that closely match those from Diomedea antipodensis (Antipodean Albatross). Further research is needed to determine genetic provenance of these animals.
The Wandering Albatross population on Macquarie Island may have always been small compared to large populations on other similar sized islands (Selkirk et al. 1990). However, circumstantial evidence suggests that Wandering Albatross may have once been numerous on the Island, as seal and penguin oil harvesters that occupied Macquarie Island from 1810 to 1920 used Wandering Albatross as a source of food (Cumpston 1968, Townrow 1988). By the time the Australasian Antarctic Expedition surveyed Macquarie Island in 1913, only one Wandering Albatross pair was left breeding. Once harvesting ceased, the population gradually increased to around 25 breeding pairs by the mid-1960s before declining again (Carrick & Ingham 1970, Terauds et al. 2006b). Macquarie Island may represent marginal habitat for the species because the continental shelf around Macquarie Island is relatively smaller than that adjacent to other sub-Antarctic islands (Selkirk et al. 1990).
A small population of Wandering Albatross may still be present on Heard Island (Kirkwood et al. 1989). A Wandering Albatross pair was brooding a small chick on Heard Island in 1980 (Johnstone 1982). The male had been banded as a non-breeding adult on Macquarie Island in 1967, but the female was not seen. Two old nest mounds found nearby suggests there may have been breeding attempts at the site in previous years.

Population estimates and trends

The breeding population of Wandering Albatross on Macquarie Island is experiencing a moderate decline based on a TRIM analysis (Pannekoek & van Strien 2006) over the last 10 years (DPIPWE 2021a).
Globally, the population trend indicates a population decline for the species exceeding 30% over three generations (BirdLife International 2018e). There were an estimated 9400 breeding pairs in 2021 (ACAP 2022).

Habitat critical to survival of species

Macquarie Island is included on the register of critical habitat for Wandering Albatross under the EPBC Act. The species is limited to 28 breeding sites in Australia (Macquarie Island), France (Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands), South Africa (Marion Island, Prince Edward Island), and other (South Georgia/as Georgias del Sur), with the largest population on the Crozet Islands (ACAP 2012v).

Threats

The risk matrix for the Wandering Albatross is provided at Table 17, with the threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction highlighted.

Table 17: Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) risk matrix.
Likelihood of occurrence  Consequences

Not significant           Minor                                        Moderate                                                                                 Major                                                                          Catastrophic

Almost certain            Human disturbance: visits to breeding sites  Climate variability and change: variation in Southern Oscillation Index                  Fisheries interactions: pelagic longline, trawl, ingestion of discarded hooks

                                                                       Competition with native species: