Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p56
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 56/152)
Character Range: 195073–198035

the year, although at least on Tahiti, there appears to be a peak between March and July (Villard et al. 2006). In the non-breeding season, the species disperses widely, and birds have been recorded as far east as the coast of Central America (Ballance et al. 2002), particularly Peru, Mexico (Onley and Scofield 2007) and Costa Rica (BirdLife International 2019).

Population Estimates and Trends
The global population is estimated to be between 20,000–30,000 individuals. There are no recent data, however the species is thought to be decreasing, mainly due to nest predation by introduced predators and open cast mining activities. Marine surveys in the eastern tropical Pacific from 1988-2000 estimated a 35 per cent reduction between the periods 1988-1990 and 1998-2000 (Balance et al. 2002).

Conservation Concerns and Actions
Predation and disturbance from non-native species represent the most serious threat to the species. Feral cats (Felis catus) have been identified as the greatest threat to the Tahiti Petrel, with predation impacting both chicks and adults. Petrel remains have been identified in 1-8 per cent of all cat scats (n=4,166) in large parts of the species range (Palmas et al. 2017). Rats (Rattus spp.), dogs (Canis familiaris) and pigs (Sus scrofa) are likely contributing to declines in reproductive success (BirdLife International 2019), with both dogs and pigs observed to dig out adults and chicks from their burrows (Villard et al. 2006). On Grand Terre (New Caledonia), the Marquesas and Society Islands, rat predation is an observed, but unquantified problem. In colonies where the soil is deep enough for Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna pacifica) to nest, there can be intense competition for burrows (Villard et al. 2006).

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 87
Species profiles

Newly discovered sites in New Caledonia are all in areas threatened by nickel mining (Spaggiari and Baré 2004, Delelis et al. 2007, Le Breton 2008), with mining activities predicted to have negative impacts on breeding success. Adults and fledglings in particular, suffer from attraction to artificial lights and subsequently becoming grounded and sometimes run over by vehicles. Light pollution threatens birds mainly in the urban areas around Papeete, Tahiti (BirdLife International 2019), and around Nouméa, rural villages and active mining sites in New Caledonia. Collision with electric powerlines in the mountains of French Polynesia is thought to be responsible for a small proportion of adult mortality (BirdLife International 2019). The species is occasionally hunted by local people for their white feathers, which are used in fishing lures (Holyoak and Thibault 1984).

Recommended Management Actions
    Investigate the dispersal of Tahiti Petrels between and the South Pacific Ocean breeding island and Australia
    Investigate the providence of the Tahiti Petrels that occur of the northwest coast of Western Australia