Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p86
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 86/98)
Character Range: 472742–476166

two breeding sites on Great Barrier Island, and Little Barrier Island (ACAP 2012e). The Black Petrel is an annual breeder when successful (Imber 1987). Adults arrive at colonies from October with females laying a single egg from mid-November to late January that hatches after incubation period of around 8 weeks from early January to late March, with fledging of chicks occurring after 3-4 months in April/June (Imber et al. 2003, Bell et al 2011). Mean annual breeding success varies by location from 45-76% (ACAP 2012e). The Black Petrel predominantly disperses north easterly to the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean as far north as California. Juveniles return to colonies when 4-6 years of age and commence breeding when birds are 5-7 years of age (Imber 1987). Generation length is estimated at 14.2 years (Bird et al. 2020).

Species distribution in Australia

Australia is within the foraging range of the Black Petrel. An indicative distribution map is not available for this non-threatened species. Tracking studies and at-sea records indicate that dispersal from the breeding colonies is predominantly to the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean between California and Ecuador (Imber 1987, BirdLife International 2004, ACAP 2012e), with some birds recorded in waters adjacent to eastern Australia (Bell et al. 2011).

Population estimates and trends

The global population is considered as stable, however there is no population trend information available for the species over three generations (BirdLife International 2018l). There were an estimated 6950 breeding pairs in 2021 (ACAP 2022).

Habitat critical to survival of species

The species is limited to two breeding sites on Great Barrier Island, and Little Barrier Island (New Zealand), with the largest population on Great Barrier Island (ACAP 2012e).

Threats

The risk matrix for the Black Petrel is provided at Table 39, with the threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction highlighted.
Table 39: Black Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni) risk matrix.
Likelihood of occurrence  Consequences

Not significant           Minor         Moderate                                                                 Major                                                                                                 Catastrophic

Almost certain                          Climate variability and change: variation in Southern Oscillation Index  Fisheries interactions: pelagic longline, demersal longline

                                        Disease: avian pox virus                                                 Introduced pest species: predation by cats, black rats, Polynesian rats, habitat degradation by pigs

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Rare or Unknown

Note: Threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction are highlighted in bold.

Procellaria westlandica Westland Petrel Falla 1946
Family: Procellariidae

Taxonomy

Procellaria westlandica Falla 1946 is accepted nomenclature for the Westland Petrel. Originally Procellaria parkinsoni westlandica Falla 1946. The Westland Petrel was originally considered polytypic with Procellaria parkinsoni (Black Petrel) until Jackson (1958) proposed recognition at the specific level based on demographic differences, a view also supported by morphological and genetic differences (Marchant & Higgins 1990, Nunn & Stanley 1998). ACAP has concluded on advice from its Taxonomy Working Group that available data warrant