Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p40
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 40/98)
Character Range: 331708–334778

Island), France (Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands), New Zealand (Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands), South Africa (Marion Island, Prince Edward Island), and other (South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur) (ACAP 2012m). The Light- mantled Albatross is predominantly a biennial breeder, when successful (Jouventin & Weimerskirch 1988, Croxall & Gales 1998). Adults arrive at colonies from early October to mid-September. Females lay a single egg from October/November that hatches after incubation period of 9-10 weeks in December/January (Berruti 1979, DPIPWE 2021a). Fledging of chicks occurs after approximately 4-5 months in May/June (Berruti 1979). Mean annual breeding success varies by location from 15-47% (ACAP 2012m). Light-mantled Albatross fledge one chick, on average, every five years, consequently, this species has one of the lowest reproduction rates for any species of albatross (Weimerskirch et al. 1987). The Light-mantled Albatross has a wide circumpolar range across the southern oceans. Juveniles return to breeding colonies after 7-12 years (Weimerskirch et al. 1987). Generation length is estimated at 21.4 years (Bird et al. 2020).
Light-mantled Albatross feed during the day and at night (Phalan et al. 2007). Birds take prey by surface seizing and plunge diving (Harper 1987). Individual birds may dive to an average of 5 m (with some individuals diving to more than 12 m in pursuit of prey) (Prince et al. 1994a, Harper 1987). Light-mantled Albatrosses do not follow fishing vessels as frequently as other species (Cherel & Klages 1998). Light-mantled Albatross diet is comprised of cephalopods, fish, crustaceans and carrion (including other seabirds) (Cherel & Klages 1998, Green et al. 1998).
Breeding adults forage great distances with Light-mantled Albatrosses breeding at Macquarie Island commonly seen over open waters south and west of Tasmania (Reid et al. 2002). Individuals form Macquarie Island forage up to 2200 km from their nest (Weimerskirch & Robertson 1994). Similarly large foraging ranges have been found at other breeding sites for the species (Akkers 2002, Phillips et al. 2005). Little known about the foraging strategies of Light-mantled Albatross outside the breeding season. The species has a wide, circumpolar range throughout the Southern Ocean and in winter are regular visitors to the pelagic waters of south and south-east Australia (Marchant & Higgins 1990).

Species distribution in Australia

Light-mantled Albatrosses nest on Heard Island, McDonald Islands and Macquarie Island. An indicative distribution map is not available for this non-threatened species. Tracking studies indicate that dispersal is generally between 40-60°S in southern oceans, but may extend to between 20-77°S, and includes southern and sub-Antarctic Australia (Marchant & Higgins 1990, BirdLife International 2004, ACAP 2012m). Birds breeding on Macquarie Island foraged an average 1516 km from the island in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters (Weimerskirch & Robertson 1994), however very little is known about the