Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00677:reg:12:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00677
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 12 (pt 14/33)
Character Range: 41708–44682

abandonment of the site (a predator avoidance response).
   Although, relaying a clutch of eggs may occur elsewhere in the coastal system if eggs are lost early in the season, protracted disturbance later in the nesting cycle may cause unattended eggs or chicks to chill or overheat or starve, leading to egg loss and chick death, or clutches may be buried in moving sand or attract predators.
   Commensal predators such as gulls, ravens or dogs may follow people (or their rubbish) to colonies and then prey on Australian Fairy Tern eggs or chicks. Gulls and ravens in particular have been known to opportunistically plunder exposed nests during periods of human disturbance.

   A number of successful strategies have been employed to try and protect beach nesting birds (including Hooded Plover, Little and Australian Fairy Terns) from human disturbance. These are chick shelters, community education, signage (combined with boundary delineation) and volunteer wardens. However, education does not work on its own without an holistic strategic approach combining education, on-ground cues (e.g. signs/fences), compliance patrols and reviews of effectiveness/staged responses.

         2.2.3     Invasive species
   Most Australian seabirds breed on islands to avoid mammalian predators.
   However, Australian Fairy Terns also breed at sites along the coastline presumably because they are accessible to near-shore concentrations of small fishes (Dunlop 2018). The breeding strategy adopted by the species (including the regular shifts in nesting areas) is probably, in part, an adaptation to avoid targeting by land-based predators (Dunlop 2018).

   At mainland sites, the major mammalian predators of Australian Fairy Tern nests are foxes, cats, rats and dogs (Dunlop 2018; Greenwell et al. 2019; Stephens and Lamanna 2019). Baiting programs for foxes, cats and rats can be carried out on the island nature reserves and at remote coastal locations but are generally not an option in public spaces, such as coastal recreation areas, due to the risks to non-target species including pet animals. Soft-jaw traps baited with scent lures (urine or faeces) can be an effective,
   low risk method, for the targeted removal of foxes and cats in peri-urban and rural areas. These traps are designed for live capture and are not in themselves likely to harm the predator or other non-target animals (e.g. domestic dogs). The use of scent lures rather than food baits reduces their attractiveness to other species. Another method for problem foxes or cats around colonies is engaging a trained shooter. Baiting programs, trapping, engaging a trained shooter and other controls methods are subject to relevant approvals from the relevant state or territory agencies.

   Some colonies in Tasmania are threatened with the establishment and expansion of Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias), a coastal plant from the Mediterranean. The plant is tolerant of salt water and establishes