Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p82
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 82/152)
Character Range: 266614–269652

and Saumarez Reef cays. The Australian population estimate and trends remain unknown.

Conservation Concerns and Actions
Masked Boobies are sensitive to human disturbance, with visitors passing within 10-20 m causing birds to leave their nest (Borsa et al. 2010); however, this is not believed to be significantly affecting the population. Invasive species, primarily Black Rats Rattus rattus, also pose a threat in some parts of the booby's range, namely Clipperton Island, following the eradication of feral cats Felis catus (Pitman et al. 2005). Collection of eggs and hunting of adults from breeding colonies (del Hoyo et al. 2019) is thought to be causing slow and significant declines outside of Australia.

114 Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds

Species profiles

Recommended Management Actions
        Determine the subspecies status breeding within the Ashmore Reef Marine Park

      Investigate the location and characteristic of key feeding sites and the means to retain their value under climate change

        Manage key sites to retain their value under projected climate change scenarios

        Quantify the breeding population in Australia

        Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations

        Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

      Quantify and manage the potential impacts of fisheries interactions and human disturbance

        Control, or eradicate invasive species on breeding islands

      Implement best practice quarantine measures at breeding colonies to reduce the risk of any invasive species (re)establishing on islands

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 115
Species profiles

Red-footed Booby (Sula sula)

Life History and Distribution
The Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) is the smallest and lightest booby with a typical sulid silhouette in flight. This species is found in tropical islands in most oceans, excluding the eastern Atlantic. It winters at sea in the same area, ranging north of the Tropic of Cancer and south of the Tropic of Capricorn (del Hoyo et al. 1992). This species is largely pelagic occurring farther from land than other booby species. It feeds mainly on flying-fish and squid. Prey is caught by plunge-diving, but flying fish are also taken in flight, especially when chased by underwater predators. It often rests on boats using them as vantage points. Breeding is not seasonal in most of its range and egg and chicks have been recorded in all months. Individuals form large colonies, nesting and roosting mainly in trees or on islets with abundant vegetation (del Hoyo et al. 1992).

Population Estimates and Trends
The global population is estimated to number >1,000,000 individuals (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Globally, the population is suspected to be decreasing owing to habitat loss, predation by invasive species and unsustainable levels of exploitation. Indonesian populations are under threat from human activity, including hunting and habitat loss, and the Red-footed Booby