Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p114
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 114/152)
Character Range: 353582–356616

al. 2019). Frequently observed at garbage facilities feeding. It is possible that, in the future, the effects of climate change could have an adverse impact on food sources and breeding habitat (Woehler et al. 2014).

Recommended Management Actions
      Quantify the breeding population in Australia

      Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations

      Quantify and manage the potential impacts of human disturbance

      Manage human garbage disposal sustainably

      Measure contaminant levels in all relevant life stages

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 151

 Species profiles

 Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

  Life History and Distribution
The Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) is a large, black-backed gull similar in appearance to Pacific Gull (L. pacificus). The Kelp Gull breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere. It is found on a number of subantarctic islands, on the Antarctic Peninsula, on the southern coast of Australia and all of New Zealand, on the southern coast of Africa and Madagascar, and on the coast of South America as far north as Ecuador and southern Brazil (Basset et al. 1988; del Hoyo et al. 1996). It inhabits sheltered coastal harbours, bays, inlets, estuaries, beaches and rocky shores, usually foraging within 10 km of the shore but also following fishing boats beyond the continental shelf (Higgins and Davies 1996, del Hoyo et al. 1996). It may forage and roost in near-coastal inland habitats including lagoons, lakes, swampy basins, rivers, streams, reservoirs, pastures, cultivated land, tussock grassland, scrubland and cleared areas in pine plantations (Higgins and Davies 1996, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Hockey et al. 2005). Although this species is largely sedentary some southern populations migrate north after the breeding season (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species breeds between late-September and January in colonies of up to several hundred pairs (occasionally nesting solitarily and remains gregarious outside of the breeding season (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Hockey et al. 2005).

  Population Estimates and Trends
  The population is estimated to number 3,300,000–4,300,000 individuals
  (BirdLife International 2019). The overall population trend is increasing, although some populations have unknown trends (Delany and Scott 2006). The Australian population estimate and trends are unknown. Presently increasing in south east Tasmania based on winter surveys 1980–2019 (E. Woehler pers. comm).

  Conservation Concerns and Actions
The Kelp Gull rapidly expanded its range in South Africa and in South America. The increased abundance is attributed to availability of food discards from trawlers and at fish processing factories and at waste disposal sites. In South Africa Kelp Gulls are aggressive predators of other seabirds on offshore islands. The species is potentially threatened by marine pollution (Parsons and Underhill 2005) and is susceptible to avian cholera (Hockey et al. 2005, Leotta et al.