Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p31
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 31/152)
Character Range: 126027–129099

profiles

Grey-backed Storm-petrel (Garrodia nereis)

 Life History and Distribution
The Grey-backed Storm-petrel (Garrodia nereis) is the smallest storm-petrel in the Southern Ocean. At sea, the species appears as a tiny, fast flying storm-petrel with a small and slender body and square cut tail. The species has a circumpolar distribution in the subantarctic, breeding on islands from the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in the south-west Atlantic Ocean east to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. The species breeds on Macquarie Island and is considered a non-breeding bird at Heard Island. Grey-backed Storm-petrels winter off the southern coast of Argentina and Australia. Its diet comprises mainly of immature barnacles and other crustaceans, but also small squid and occasionally small fish. It catches prey mostly by pattering over the surface whilst in flight, but also by dipping and shallow plunging. It has been seen to attend trawlers and occasionally follows ships. Its breeding season starts in October or November, with individuals forming loose colonies creating burrows in vegetation or nesting in crevices in rocks.

 Population Estimates and Trends
The population is not well known however, Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to potentially number over 200,000 individuals. The Australian population is unknown. The population is suspected to be in decreasing owing to predation by invasive species.

 Conservation Concerns and Actions
Grey-backed Storm-petrels are at risk of predation by invasive species such as rats. Tussock grassland on some breeding islands have been modified by grazing by invasive species and fire. A number of individuals are killed each year due to light-induced collisions with boats. Storm-petrels are known to be vulnerable to oil pollution at sea and marine debris.

 Recommended Management Actions
          Gain an improved understanding of the at sea distribution in Southern Ocean

          Confirm breeding on Macquarie Island

          Mitigate against impacts of light pollution by boats at sea

Species profiles

White-faced Storm-petrel (Pelagodroma marina)

Life History and Distribution
The White-faced Storm-petrel (Pelagodroma marina) is a medium sized, distinctively patterned storm-petrel, common over inshore and oceanic waters around southern Australia. The species has an extremely large range and breeds on remote islands in the North and South Atlantic Ocean and on the coast of southern Australia and New Zealand. Outside the breeding season the Australian population range as far as the northern Indian Ocean and the north-west coast of South America. The species can normally be found over oceanic waters except when close to breeding colonies. The species feeds mostly on planktonic crustaceans and small fish. It feeds mainly of the wing by pattering and dipping. The species rarely follows ships but is known to follow cetaceans. White-faced Storm-petrels generally breed in colonies during spring and summer, forming burrows in flat areas with