Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p36
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 36/152)
Character Range: 139911–142968

the Southern Ocean

       Work with range states to control, or eradicate invasive species on breeding islands

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 65
Species profiles

Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata)

  Life History and Distribution
The Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata) is an abundant, medium sized prion of Antarctic and subantarctic waters, ranging into subtropical waters. The species is very similar to Salvin's Prion (P. salvini) from which it is difficult to distinguish at sea. The species has an extremely large range and occurs in the Indian, Southern and Atlantic Oceans. The Antarctic Prion breeds on islands in the southern oceans, including the Crozet Islands and Kerguelen Island (French Southern Territories), Macquarie Island and Heard Island (Australia), the Auckland Islands (New Zealand), South Georgia (Georgias del Sur), the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Sandwich del Sur), Scott Island and the Scotia Archipelago. All birds leave the colonies after breeding, dispersing from pack ice in Antarctica to as far north as Peru, and also occurring off South Africa and Australia. This species breeds on slopes under grass tussocks, in rock crevices or scree, or on cliffs. Its prey is mostly crustaceans (especially krill, copepods and amphipods), but also small quantities of fish and squid (del Hoyo et al. 1992).

  Population Estimates and Trends
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to number 50 million individuals. The breeding population on Macquarie and Heard Islands has not been quantified for some time. On Macquarie Island, abundance was estimated at approx. 49,000 pairs from surveys conducted between 1975 and 1982 (Brothers 1984, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service 2006). Results are pending from the most recent island population census undertaken in 2018 (University of Queensland and Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service unpublished data). On Heard Island the population was estimated at 100,000 pairs in 2003/04 (Woehler 2006, 2010). The population is suspected to be in decreasing at some (non-Australian) sites as a result of predation by invasive species, however, is likely to be increasing at Macquarie Island after the successful eradication of introduced rodent predators during the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (DPIPWE pers. comm.).

  Conservation Concerns and Actions
  This species is decreasing at some sites due to a number of invasive species.
  The Antarctic Prion appeared to be unable to successfully nest in the presence of Brown Rats on South Georgia, and possibly in other parts of the range (Marchant and Higgins 1990). Feral pigs and cats are known to kill large numbers on the Auckland Islands. The population on Macquarie Islands is expected to increase as a result of eradication efforts of invasive species.

  Recommended Management Actions
             Quantify the breeding population on Heard Island
             Consolidate current population data from Macquarie Island
             Regularly monitor breeding populations