Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p48
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 48/152)
Character Range: 172816–175879

million birds annually (del Hoyo et al. 1992, Heather and Robertson 1997, Newman et al. 2008, 2009), but is unlikely to account for the scale of the observed decrease.

Past investigation into the biological impact of climatic trends led to predictions of large-scale shifts in foraging distribution during the boreal summer and/or dramatic reductions in abundance and survival rate (Ainley et al. 1995, Veit et al. 1996, 1997, Spear and Ainley 1999, Wahl and Tweit 2000, Oedekoven et al. 2001, Hyrenbach and Veit 2003). Climate change is already affecting the foraging distribution of this species along the Californian coast (Veit et al. 1997). Evidence shows that birds are still visiting many of the same foraging areas, but are taking new routes to avoid altered current systems (Veit et al. 1996, 1997). Decreases at monitored breeding sites appear to be linked to changed patterns in large scale oceanic cycles which reduce prey availability (Clucas 2011).
Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Black Rat (R. rattus) are present on some islands on which the species breeds, and although egg and chick predation by rats has been demonstrated, the extent of impact is unknown (Jones et al. 2008).

Recommended Management Actions
      Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations

      Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

      Maintain bycatch mitigation strategies in relevant fishery operations

    Assess the impact of bycatch from gill-nets, longlines and trawl fisheries across the range and apply appropriate mitigation techniques

      Measure contaminant levels in all relevant life stages

      Work with range states to 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

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 79

Species profiles

Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris)

  Life History and Distribuion
The Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) is a medium sized all brown-grey shearwater, very similar to the larger Sooty Shearwater (A. grisea). The Short-tailed Shearwater undergoes a trans-equatorial migration, wintering north of Japan and the Bering Sea near the Aleutian Islands (USA) (Carey et al. 2014). The return migration pathway incorporates the central Pacific Ocean, with some individuals moving south along the western coast of North America. This species breeds on Tasmanian offshore islands and off the coast of southern Australia, with the bulk of the population in the south-east. Breeding occurs mainly on coastal islands, typically in areas of grassland or other vegetation, but sometimes cliffs or bare ground (del Hoyo et al. 1992). While breeding, the species alternates short foraging trips to local waters with long foraging trips (up to 17 days) to the Polar Frontal Zone. Short trips allow greater chick provisioning, longer trips allow foraging at the