Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p66
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 66/98)
Character Range: 410684–414152

months, in November to January in the following year (Cuthbert et al. 2004). Mean annual breeding success is declining, averaging 32% in 2007 (Wanless 2007), but reported as just over 9% in 2014 (Davis et al. 2015). The range of the Tristan Albatross extends over the southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans to southern Australia (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Juveniles return to the breeding colonies when 3-7 years of age and individuals begin breeding at a mean age of 10 years (Wanless 2007). Generation length is estimated at 21.2 years (Bird et al. 2020).

Species distribution in Australia

Australia is within the foraging range of the Tristan Albatross (Figure 9). Tracking studies indicate that during the breeding season the birds mostly forage in the southern Atlantic Ocean, but disperse more widely during non-breeding periods including across the Indian Ocean to south-western Australia (BirdLife International 2004, ACAP 2012u).

Population estimates and trends

Projected extremely rapid population decline of the global population over three generations (BirdLife International 2018c). There is presently very low adult survival (BirdLife International 2018c). There were an estimated 1450 breeding pairs in 2017 (ACAP 2022).

Habitat critical to survival of species

Species is limited to two islands in Tristan de Cunha (United Kingdom) on Gough Island and Inaccessible Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. The global population is effectively limited to one breeding site, Gough Island, as only 2-3 pairs were reported as breeding on Inaccessible Island (ACAP 2012u, McClelland et al. 2016).

Threats

The risk matrix for the Tristan Albatross is provided at Table 27, with the threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction highlighted.
Table 27: Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena) risk matrix.
Likelihood of occurrence  Consequences

Not significant           Minor         Moderate                                                     Major                                            Catastrophic

Almost certain                          Climate variability and change: nesting habitat degradation  Fisheries interactions: pelagic longline, trawl  Introduced pest species: predation by house mice

                                        Marine pollution: heavy metal and pesticides contamination

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Rare or Unknown                         Marine pollution: marine plastics ingestion

Note: Threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction are highlighted in bold.
Figure 9: Modelled Australian distribution of Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena).

Diomedea epomophora Southern Royal Albatross Lesson 1825
Family: Diomedeidae

Taxonomy

Diomedea epomophora Lesson 1825 is accepted nomenclature for the Southern Royal Albatross. Originally Diomedea epomophora Lesson 1825. Considered polytypic with Diomedea sanfordi (Northern Royal Albatross) until raised to specific level by Robertson & Nunn (1998) based on morphological differences between Diomedea epomophora and Diomedea sanfordi, with this nomenclature widely accepted (ACAP 2012t).

Current status of taxon

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth): Vulnerable
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (Western Australia): Vulnerable
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (South Australia): Vulnerable
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria): Critically Endangered
Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (Tasmania): not listed