Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p38
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 38/152)
Character Range: 145420–148465

Hoyo et al. 2019).
Recommended Management Actions
         Gain an improved understanding of the at sea distribution in the Southern Ocean
         Determine breeding status on Macquarie Island
         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 67
Species profiles

Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur)

Life History and Distribution
The Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur) is small, circumpolar prion frequenting subantarctic and subtropical waters. The species has a rounded crown, rounded wings and a fairly long wedge-shaped tail. At sea it may be confused with Fulmar Prion (P. crassirostris). Two subspecies breed in Australia, turtur and subantarctica. The subspecies subantarctica has previously been detected breeding on two rock stacks off Macquarie Island in 1979 (Brothers 1984) and Bishop and Clerk Island in 1993 (Brothers and Ledingham 2008) and is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act. Fairy Prions can be found breeding on the Chatham Islands, Snares Islands and Antipodes Islands of New Zealand, islands around Tasmania, including the Bass Strait Islands of Australia, the Crozet Islands (French Southern Territories) in the south Indian Ocean and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia (Georgia del Sur) in the South Atlantic (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The breeding season starts in September and the species is highly colonial, creating burrows in coastal sites on oceanic islands (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The species occurs mainly offshore but may move inshore during stormy weather. Its diet is comprised mostly of crustaceans (especially krill), but occasionally includes some fish and squid. It feeds mainly by surface-seizing and dipping but can also
catch prey by surface-plunging or pattering. It often associates with other prions and storm-petrels when feeding around boats.

Population Estimates and Trends
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to number around 5 million individuals. The Australian breeding population and trends are unknown. The subspecies subantarctica is thought to number as few as 50 pairs (Brothers 1984) but is expected to increase with the successful eradication of Black Rats (Rattus rattus) from
Macquarie Island where it may recolonise the main island. The population status of P. turtur at breeding locations around Tasmania (e.g. Port Davey islands, Maatsuyker Island group, Tasman Island, and islands in Bass Strait including Albatross Island and Black Pyramid) is unknown. The global population of P. turtur is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence of any population decreases or substantial threats.

Species profiles

Conservation Concerns and Actions
Although the Fairy Prion is not thought to be experiencing any significant threats across the majority of its range, the population