Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p51
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 51/98)
Character Range: 364911–368613

2002). Black-browed Albatross is subject to ongoing long-term monitoring on Macquarie Island with 47 (range 42-49) breeding pairs estimated in 2019/20, with long-term breeding success averaging 45% (DPIPWE 2021a). The population breeding on Heard Island has not been systematically surveyed since 2000 when there were around 600 breeding pairs on the island (Woehler et al. 2002). The population on McDonald Islands was last estimated in 1981 when 82-89 breeding pairs were recorded (Keage & Johnstone 1982). Visits to McDonald Islands are not permitted, as the location is subject to intermittent volcanic activity (Stephenson et al. 2005, Commonwealth of Australia 2014). Bishop and Clerk Islets have only been visited on three occasions with 141 active nests identified on Bishop Islet when the site was last visited in 1993 (Brothers & Ledingham 2008).

Population estimates and trends

The breeding population of Black-browed Albatross on Macquarie Island is considered stable based on a TRIM analysis (Pannekoek & van Strien 2006) over the past 10 years (DPIPWE 2021a), with no estimates available for Bishop and Clerk Islets, Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
Globally, the population appears to be increasing over three generations (BirdLife International 2018u). There were an estimated 689,400 breeding pairs in 2020 (ACAP 2022).

Habitat critical to survival of species

Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Macquarie Island, are subject to management plans that protect these listed world heritage sites and adjacent marine reserves (Parks and Wildlife Service 2006, Commonwealth of Australia 2014). All breeding populations of Black-browed Albatross in Australia's jurisdiction are likely to be important for the long-term persistence of the species within Australia. The species is limited to 65 breeding sites in Australia (Heard Island, McDonald Islands, Macquarie Island), Chile (Isla Diego de Almagro, Islas Diego Ramirez, Islas Ildefonso, Islote Albatross, Islote Leonard, Islotes Evangelistas) France (Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands), New Zealand (Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands), and other (Falkland Islands/as Malvinas), South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur), with the largest population at the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas) (ACAP 2012d).

Threats

The risk matrix for the Black-browed Albatross is provided at Table 21, with the threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction highlighted.

Table 21: Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) risk matrix.
Likelihood of occurrence  Consequences

Not significant           Minor         Moderate                                                                                                           Major                                                               Catastrophic

Almost certain                          Climate variability and change: sea surface temperature rise                                                       Fisheries interactions: pelagic longline, demersal longline, trawl

                                        Introduced pest species: predation by cats

Likely

Possible                                Geological processes: volcanic activity leading to nest abandonment

Unlikely

Rare or Unknown                         Climate variability and change: habitat damage from severe storms, heat stress and degradation of nesting habitat                                                                      Climate variability and change: habitat damage from severe storms affecting Bishop and Clerk Islets

                                        Disease: avian cholera

Note: Threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction are highlighted in bold.
Figure