Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p45
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 45/98)
Character Range: 346051–349913

Pedra Branca experiencing a steep decline over the same period (DPIPWE 2021b). Population models predict a decline in the number of breeding females in the Albatross Island subpopulation over three generations, but discrepancies exist between the predictions and the most recent empirical data, meaning there is uncertainty around the extent of the decline (TSSC 2020). There is a predicted decline in the Pedra Branca subpopulation linked to interspecies competition with the Australasian Gannet and storm surges (Alderman et al. 2011, Alderman 2018, ACAP 2012q, TSSC 2020). There were an estimated 15,000 breeding pairs in 2021 (ACAP 2022).
Eligibility for listing in the Endangered category under the EPBC Act reflects the restricted area of occupancy of the species; the precarious geographic distribution for the survival of the species, because its number of locations is restricted; a projected decline in the number of mature individuals for the Albatross Island subpopulation, and inferred declines for the Pedra Banca and Mewstone subpopulations. Inclusion of the Shy Albatross in the IUCN Red List Near Threatened category reflects the lack of negative trend data for the larger Mewstone population, which would enable the species to achieve qualification to a higher conservation status. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020 (Garnett & Baker 2021) highlights that there is need for further empirical data to confirm whether and to what extent the Shy Albatross population is declining.

Habitat critical to survival of species

The Tasmanian islands of Albatross Island, the Mewstone and Pedra Branca are included on the register of critical habitat for Shy Albatross under the EPBC Act. The species is limited to these three breeding sites in Australia, with the largest population on the Mewstone (ACAP 2012q).

Threats

The risk matrix for the Shy Albatross is provided at Table 19, with the threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction highlighted.

Table 19: Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta) risk matrix.
Likelihood of occurrence  Consequences

Not significant           Minor                             Moderate                                                                   Major                                                                                                                                                             Catastrophic

Almost certain            Dependence on fisheries discards  Marine pollution: marine plastics ingestion                                Climate variability and change: sea temperature rise, habitat damage from severe storms, heat stress and degradation of nesting habitat from higher temperatures  Climate variability and change: habitat damage from severe storms affecting Pedra Branca

                                                                                                                                       Competition with native species: for nesting material by Australasian Gannets affecting Pedra Branca

                                                                                                                                       Fisheries interactions: pelagic longline, demersal longline, trawl

Likely                                                      Human disturbance: visits to breeding sites, boat traffic and overflights  Disease: tick-borne Phlebovirus outbreaks

Possible

Unlikely

Rare or Unknown                                             Human disturbance: wind farm infrastructure

Note: Threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction are highlighted in bold.
Figure 2: Modelled Australian distribution of Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta).

Thalassarche chrysostoma Grey-headed Albatross (Forster 1785)
Family: Diomedeidae

Taxonomy

Thalassarche chrysostoma (Forster 1785) is accepted nomenclature for the Grey-headed Albatross.