Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:2:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 1/14)
Character Range: 27531–30993

2                   Introduction
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) provides for the protection of the environment and conservation of biodiversity, including the protection, conservation and management of listed threatened species through the implementation of recovery plans. Successive recovery plans for threatened albatross and petrel species have been in place since 2001. This National Recovery Plan for threatened albatrosses and petrels (2021) replaces the National Recovery Plan for threatened albatrosses and giant petrels 2011–2016 (DSEWPC 2011b). The plan outlines the research and management actions necessary to stop the decline, and support the recovery of these species so that their chances of long-term survival in nature are maximised.
Seabirds remain among the world's most threatened bird species. Albatrosses and petrels in particular facing an ongoing conservation crisis (Phillips et al. 2016, ACAP 2019a). Many threatened albatross and petrel species breed and/or forage in Australia's jurisdiction and distribute widely across the world's oceans and remote, offshore islands (del Hoyo & Collar 2014, Menkhorst et al. 2017). These species face a range of threats to their long-term conservation status on land: particularly habitat degradation and predation by feral species; and at-sea: particularly incidental catch during fishing operations; as well as generalised threats: particularly marine pollution, marine plastics and climate change (Croxall et al. 2012, Phillips et al. 2016). The recovery of threatened albatrosses and petrels relies on an integrated approach involving actions at domestic and international levels.
This recovery plan provides a national strategy to guide the activities of government, industry, research organisations, and other stakeholders in protecting, conserving and managing threatened albatross and petrel species that breed and/or forage in Australia's jurisdiction. There may be synergies with other work areas or management regimes where opportunities are presented to leverage off existing conservation measures. Where possible collaboration and integration with existing programs should be explored and encouraged.
Although Australian breeding and/or foraging populations of albatrosses and petrels generally represent a small proportion of global populations, other than the endemic Thalassarche cauta (Shy Albatross), these species make a significant contribution to Australia's biodiversity. This plan will be made for each of the following 20 EPBC Act listed threatened species:
    * Diomedea amsterdamensis (Amsterdam Albatross)

    * Diomedea antipodensis (Antipodean Albatross)

    * Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni (Gibson's Albatross)

    * Diomedea dabbenena (Tristan Albatross)

    * Diomedea epomophora (Southern Royal Albatross)

    * Diomedea exulans (Wandering Albatross)

    * Diomedea sanfordi (Northern Royal Albatross)

    * Macronectes giganteus (Southern Giant Petrel)

    * Macronectes halli (Northern Giant Petrel)

    * Phoebetria fusca (Sooty Albatross)

    * Thalassarche bulleri (Buller's Albatross)

    * Thalassarche bulleri platei (Northern Buller's Albatross)

    * Thalassarche carteri (Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross)

    * Thalassarche cauta (Shy Albatross)

    * Thalassarche chrysostoma (Grey-headed Albatross)

    * Thalassarche eremita (Chatham Albatross)

    * Thalassarche impavida (Campbell