Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p110
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 110/152)
Character Range: 342809–345742

nest sites as a result of naturally fluctuating water levels can also result in complete breeding failure of the effected colony (Buckley and Buckley 1984, Hyde 1997, del Hoyo et al. 2019). Previously, this species has experienced significant declines due to egg collection and hunting (del Hoyo et al. 2019). Although in most places populations have recovered, hunting remains a significant problem in some areas, including parts of West Africa (del Hoyo et al. 2019).

Recommended Management Actions
      Quantify the non-breeding population in Australia

      Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

      Quantify and manage the potential impacts of human disturbance

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 147
 Species profiles

 Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

 Life History and Distribution
The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a medium sized tern with a short slender bill, compact oval body when perched, a deeply forked tail and short legs. The species is similar in size and shape to Common Tern (S. hirundo), White-fronted Tern (S. striata) and Antarctic Tern (S. vittata). This species has a circumpolar range, breeding in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America as far south as Brittany (France) and Massachusetts (U.S.A.). It is a transequatorial migrant and can be found wintering throughout the Southern Ocean to the edge of the Antarctic ice and the southern tips of South America and Africa (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It breeds between May and July (although the exact timing varies with temperature and food availability) in solitary pairs or colonies of a few to several hundred pairs (usually 2-25) (del Hoyo et al. 1996), and remains gregarious throughout the year especially when roosting, foraging and on passage (Higgins and Davies 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). The species generally feeds within 3 km of breeding colonies but may occasionally forage up to 50 km away (del Hoyo et al. 1996). On its wintering grounds in Antarctica, it may also forage in association with Antarctic Minke Whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the open ocean north of the pack-ice zone (Higgins and Davies 1996). Its diet consists predominantly of fish as well as crustaceans (especially planktonic species).

 Population Estimates and Trends
The global population is estimated to number >2,000,000 individuals (Delany and Scott 2006). The overall population trend is decreasing (Delany and Scott 2006). In Europe, the population size is estimated to be decreasing by less than 25 per cent in 40.2 years (three generations) (BirdLife International 2019). The Australian population estimate and trends are unknown.

 Conservation Concerns and Actions
Arctic Tern breeding colonies are threatened by invasive species, human disturbance and egg collection (Birdlife International 2019). It is possible that, in the future, the effects of climate change could have an adverse