Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p113
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 113/152)
Character Range: 350802–353846

may cause the flushing of adult birds allowing increased egg predation by gulls (del Hoyo et al. 2019) and colony abandonment. It is possible that, in the future, the effects of climate change could have an adverse impact on food sources and breeding habitat. There is also potentially a risk from the spread of the invasive weed Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias); however, this does not seem to be significant at present.

  Recommended Management Actions
          Quantify the breeding population in Australia

          Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations

          Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

          Control, or 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

150 Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds
Species profiles

 Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus)

Life History and Distribution
The Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) is the largest gull in Australia. The species is a powerful, deep-chested and thickset black-backed gull. At all times the species is easily identified by its deep massive bill, with prominent gonys and pear-shaped nostrils. It is bigger and bulkier than Kelp Gull (L. dominicanus). This species is endemic to Australia. The subspecies pacificus breeds in Tasmania, on many Bass Strait islands and westward along the Victorian coast from Wilson's Promontory to the South Australian border. The subspecies georgii is found on the coasts of south-western Western Australia and western South Australia. Its range has expanded in recent years northwards along the Western Australian coast (del Hoyo et al. 2019). Breeding occurs between September and January, either in small and open colonies or solitary (del Hoyo et al. 1996; Widdup 2013). Most nest sites are protected, however, by their inaccessibility, and the species has proved adaptable in exploiting new food sources provided by urbanisation (Garnett and Crowley 2000). It has a diverse diet including fish, squid, intertidal molluscs,
echinoderms and crabs, fish offal, carrion and refuse.

Population Estimates and Trends
Delany and Scott (2006) estimate the population to be 11,000 individuals.
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any decreases or substantial threats (Wakefield et al. 2019). The Australian population estimate requires verification. Trends are unknown, however, increasing in south east Tasmania based on winter surveys 1980–2019 (E. Woehler pers. comm).

Conservation Concerns and Actions
As with other coastal species, Pacific Gulls are prone to disturbance while breeding and feeding. Some populations have begun contracting (del Hoyo et al. 2019). Frequently observed at garbage facilities feeding. It is possible that, in the future, the effects of climate change could have an adverse impact on food sources and breeding habitat (Woehler et al. 2014).

Recommended Management Actions
      Quantify