Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p159
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 159/276)
Character Range: 600576–603519

2011).

Distribution
The species is largely found in temperate waters with breeding colonies on rocky islands off Victoria, Tasmania and the North Island of New Zealand.
From the 1960s to the 2000s, the Australasian gannet was a rare summer breeding species in the Norfolk Island Group. The species was first recorded nesting on Nepean Island in 1961, then shifted to Phillip Island, with up to four pairs reported (Tarburton 1981). In 2005, only three pairs were known to nest on Phillip Island (Christian 2005). By 2006, two pairs were present (Priddel et al. 2010) and since 2011 no breeding has been observed (N Carlile 2024. pers comm 12 January). Recently, the species has been recorded on one of the offshore stacks north of Norfolk Island (M Christian 2024. pers comm 12 January), with possible breeding not yet investigated.

Ecology
Breeding: formerly bred on Phillip Island in summer.
Nesting: Nest colonially on mounds of guano mixed with seaweed or earth built on rocks.
Foraging: Feeds on small fish and cephalopods.

Habitat
A marine pelagic species whose non-breeding range extends from the seas off southern Australia to northern Queensland and the Lord Howe and the Norfolk Island Groups. Juveniles may remain near breeding colonies throughout the year although most non-breeding birds disperse.

Threats
The main threats to the Australasian gannet include changes in the marine environment, entanglement in long-line fishing gear, and competition from the fishing industry for oceanic resources. Both on Phillip Island and on Nepean Island, breeding birds are free from predation from introduced rats and cats.

Impact on other species
None known.

Management actions
None required until re-nesting is detected.

Relevant literature
Carlile N (2024) Personal communication by email, 12 January.
Christian M (2005) Norfolk Island … the birds. Green Eyes Publications, Norfolk Island.
Christian M (2024) Personal communication by email, 12 January.
Garnett ST & Crowley GM (2000) The Action Plan for Australian Birds. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Garnett ST, Szabo J & Dutson G (2011) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Priddel D, Carlile N, Evans O, Evans B & McCoy H (2010) A review of the seabirds of Phillip Island in the Norfolk Island Group. Notornis 57, 113–127.
Tarburton MK (1981) Seabirds nesting on Norfolk Island. Notornis 28, 209–211.

Onychoprion fuscata—sooty tern, whale bird

Conservation significance
EPBC Act Listing Status: Marine (listed marine under the EPBC Act as Sterna fuscata)
State Listing Status: Listed as Vulnerable under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW).

Distribution
A wide distribution over tropical and subtropical seas, breeding on numerous islands (including islands of the Great Barrier Reef) in north-west Australia and the south-west Pacific (including the Lord Howe and Norfolk Island Groups). Preliminary findings from tracking of