Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p54
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 54/152)
Character Range: 189469–192559

2001).

Climate change poses a potential threat to the species. Breeding at high altitude makes the species susceptible to detrimental effects of abnormal amounts or timing of snowfall; heavy snowfall can crush burrows, and late snow cover can delay or prevent breeding (Taylor 2000).

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

         Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 85
Species profiles

Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis)

   Life History and Distribution
The Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis) is the smallest shearwater resembling other members of the 'fluttering' group. The species has a compact structure with a shorter, more slender bill and shorter broader wings with rounder tips. The species has a very large range, occurring in subantarctic, subtropical and occasionally tropical waters. Two subspecies breed in Australia, subspecies assimilis breeds on Norfolk and Lord Howe Island groups and subspecies tunneyi on offshore islands off south-west Western Australia. The species breeds colonially under forest or tussocks. The species also occurs on several New Zealand islands and islands in the Atlantic Ocean. At sea the species is usually solitary or in small groups. They feed by plunge-diving or surface-seizing on cephalopods, crustaceans and small fish.

   Population Estimates and Trends
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population at 200,000 mature individuals. The subspecies tunneyi occurs on 65 offshore islands in Western Australia with an estimated minimum number of breeding pairs between 27,000–61,500 (Burbidge et al. 1996). Subspecies assimilis is endemic to the Lord Howe and Norfolk Island groups. The population of Roach Island (Lord Howe) is estimated at 1,050 pairs with a further 85 pairs on Lord Howe Island (Priddel et al. 2003; Carlile et al. 2013). The population in the Norfolk Island group is estimated at 100–1000 pairs (Schodde et al. 1983; Priddel et al. 2010). Australian trend estimates are unknown.

   Conservation Concerns and Actions
Predation by introduced rats and feral cats (Felis catus) represents the greatest current and future threat, due to their presence across large portions of the species breeding range in New Zealand and Australia. Little Shearwaters appear to have been greatly reduced in number on Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Rat predation affects different subspecies differently, and there is a risk that some subspecies (Puffinus assimilis assimilis in particular) may continue to decline in the future. The continued presence of predators on many islands is likely a contributory factor to preventing recolonisations.

   Recommended Management Actions
           Minimise effects of climate change
      Examine the relationship between foraging and breeding succuss, population density and productivity and surrounding sea including tracking to determine use of marine habitat in space and time
           Manage key sites to retain their value under climate