Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p79
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 79/152)
Character Range: 258566–261601

include those at North Keeling Island, the islands of Ashmore Reef Marine Park (50 pairs; Cannell and Surman 2020), Adele Island, WA and in several Coral Sea Marine Park islands and cays. Baker and Holdsworth (2013) reported that from a regional perspective, the Herald Cays (Coral Sea Marine Park) contain a significant proportion of the region's breeding populations, particularly for the Great Frigatebird. As at 2012, there were 20-year and 10-year data sets available for North East Cay (Herald Cays) and South West Cay (Herald Cays), respectively. Over the 20-year period (1992-2012), the number of frigatebirds (Great and Lesser Frigatebirds) declined at an annual rate of 7.7 per cent.

 Conservation Concerns and Actions
Suspected increases in the frequency of ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) events with climate change (Timmermann et al. 1999) may pose a threat to the survival and breeding success of Great Frigatebirds of unknown severity (Anderson 1989, Weimerskirch et al. 2010). Human disturbance has minor effects on the species; boats approaching the beach trigger flushing of nesting and roosting individuals (Borsa and Boiteux 2007 in Borsa et al. 2010).

 Recommended Management Actions
         Quantify the breeding population in Australia

         Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations

         Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

         Eradicate invasive species on breeding islands

      Implement best practice quarantine measures at breeding colonies to reduce the risk of any invasive species (re)establishing on islands
      Quantify and manage the potential impacts of fisheries interactions and human disturbance

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 111
Species profiles

Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator)

   Life History and Distribution
The Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) is a large, conspicuous, predominantly white seabird. Generally, Australasian Gannets are unmistakeable from other seabirds except other sulids with a long neck, slender wings, spear-like bill and pointed tail. The species is confined to waters around Australia and New Zealand, mainly in the temperate zone. Breeding colonies are found off the coast of Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. One small colony is also found farther north at Norfolk Island. Breeding is highly seasonal (October to May), nesting on the ground in small but dense colonies. Adults tend to stay within the vicinity of the colony after breeding, with young birds dispersing (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Birds winter in adjacent waters and up the east and west coasts of Australia as far north as the Tropic of Capricorn (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Their diet is comprised mainly of pelagic fish, especially pilchard, anchovies and jack mackerel, but also squid and garfish. Prey is caught mainly by plunge-diving, but the species is also seen regularly attending trawlers.

   Population Estimates and Trends
A global population estimate has not been quantified (BirdLife International 2019).