Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009B00248:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009B00248
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 3297–6704

are: key source populations either for breeding or dispersal, populations that are necessary for maintaining genetic diversity, and/or populations that are near the limit of the species range.
                          Because there are so few populations for these species in Australia, all populations are important.

                          Shy Albatrosses breed only within Australia, and hence the breeding habitats of this species (Albatross Island, Pedra Branca and The Mewstone) comprise its entire breeding range.  Each of these populations appears to be genetically distinct.

                          Macquarie Island hosts the other two species of albatrosses.  All of these populations are very small and are critical for maintaining the genetic diversity necessary to ensure the viability of these species.  Although these populations are likely to be genetically distinct (based on data from other populations which have been studied), no data currently exist regarding the genetic distinctiveness of these populations.

                          Criteria (d).  Whether the habitat is necessary to maintain genetic diversity and long-term evolutionary development.
                          If these island habitats were lost, it is unlikely that the species which use them would persist.  Albatrosses are extremely site-faithful and the populations currently breeding on these islands are unlikely to breed elsewhere.

                          Criteria (e).  Whether the habitat is necessary for use as corridors to allow the species to more freely between sites used to meet essential life cycle requirements.
                          N/A

                          Criteria (f).  Whether the habitat is necessary to ensure the long-term future of the species or ecological community through reintroduction of re-colonisation.
                          Shy albatrosses occupy most of the land area of the islands on which they breed.

                          Wandering and Grey-headed Albatrosses do not breed on all parts of Macquarie Island, but the entire island is critical to providing isolation for each population and protection from the impact of disturbance.  Some of these populations are also recovering from past declines and hence expanding, hence the whole island is considered critical to their survival and future growth.

                          Macquarie Island is also subject to feral animal control, with an intensive control campaign focussed on the eradication of feral cats from the island.

                          Criteria (g).  Any other way in which habitat may be critical to the survival of a listed threatened species or a listed threatened ecological community.
                          N/A

References:
Environment Australia (2001f) Recovery Plan for Albatrosses and Giant-Petrels 2001-2005
Environment Australia (2002) Map of Habitat Critical to the survival of Wandering Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross and Shy Albatross

Attachment B

Thalassarche cauta (Shy Albatross) – Albatross Island, The Mewstone, Pedra Branca

Listed Critical Habitat:  Thalassarche cauta (Shy Albatross) – Albatross Island, The Mewstone, Pedra Branca

Date Effective:           01 July 2002
Location and extent:      Albatross Island: About 33ha, comprising all islands and rocks above mean high water level, lying within the area bounded by parallels 40°21' S and