Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p32
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 32/152)
Character Range: 128848–131956

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 low herbaceous vegetation but also in rocky areas and on slops. The species is migratory, moving from temperate breeding areas to tropical and subtropical waters.

Population Estimates and Trends
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to number at least 4 million individuals. The European population is estimated at 77,000–111,000 pairs and is estimated to have decreased by less than 25 per cent in 46 years (three generations). In NSW the species may have declined by as much as 85 per cent since the 1970s but precise data from initial surveys is lacking (N. Carlile pers. comm). The Australian population is unknown. The population is suspected to be in decreasing owing to predation by invasive species.

Conservation Concerns and Actions
The species is threatened by invasive species such as rabbits, rats, mice and cats. Expanding Silver Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) breeding colonies have been attributed to the decrease of some White-faced Storm-petrel colonies following shifts in the vegetation community composition and erosion. Spiny woody weed infestations (i.e. Boxthorn Lycium chinense) may impact on nest sites, restricted access and cause impalement (Sir Joseph Banks Group, SA). Fires can adversely affect vegetation on breeding islands.

Recommended Management Actions
        Survey and quantify breeding colonies in Australia.

      Regularly monitor breeding colonies and reproductive success, particularly in the presence of Silver Gull breeding colonies

        Control, or eradicate invasive species from known (and former) breeding islands

        Establish new breeding colonies

        Mitigate against impacts of light pollution around breeding colonies

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

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 61
 Species profiles

 Black-bellied Storm-petrel (Fregetta tropica)

  Life History and Distribution
  The Black-bellied Storm-petrel (Fregetta tropica) is a medium sized storm-petrel with conspicuous white sides to the abdomen, central underwings, flanks and rump. The species breeds on subantarctic islands and migrates to subtropical and tropical zones of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, regularly occurring north to the Equator. Its breeding season begins in November, when it forms loose colonies on bare rocky slopes, in vegetation or peat of offshore islands or stacks. The species may be associated with cool water currents where it feeds on squid and small fish.

  Population Estimates and Trends
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to number 500,000 individuals. The Australian population is unknown.

  Conservation Concerns and Actions
  Black-bellied Storm-petrels are at risk of predation by invasive species such as rats.
  A number of individuals are killed each year due to