Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p94
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 94/152)
Character Range: 299243–302170

South West Cay (Herald Cays) in the Coral Sea Marine Park, respectively (Baker and Holsworth 2013). Over the 20-year period (1992-2012), the Black Noddy population declined at an annual rate of 3.8 per cent (Baker and Holsworth 2013).
Conservation Concerns and Actions
Increased sea surface temperature has been demonstrated to reduce the provisioning rate at studied colonies in the Great Barrier Reef, and above a particular threshold of temperature reproductive success is nil (Chambers et al. 2011). At present this impact appears restricted to a minority of the breeding population, and colonies have become established at new locations which may be related to adaption to climate impacts. It is possible that, in the future, the effects of climate change could have an adverse impact on food sources and breeding habitat. Invasive species have contributed to the decline of the species throughout its range (Priddel et al. 2010; BirdLife International 2019)
Recommended Management Actions
         Quantify the breeding population in Australia
         Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations
         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 129
Species profiles

White Tern (Gygis alba)

   Life History and Distribution
   The White Tern (Gygis alba) is unmistakable, because it is a wholly white tern.
   The species has a delicate appearance, large rounded head, slightly upturned bill, short legs and long slender wings with long, slightly forked tail. The White Tern has a distribution across the tropics of the world, being found year-round on islands in the south Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the western and central Pacific. It is also a seasonal visitor to islands in the south-central and eastern Pacific off the coast of Mexico (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Its breeding season varies locally. It nests on coral islands, usually with vegetation, nesting in trees and bushes, on rocky slopes and cliffs, and also on artificial substrates. It lays a single egg on a bare branch, usually within a slight depression at a fork or on the midrib of a palm frond or banana leaf. It is resident year-round on some islands but is a seasonal visitor on others where its non-breeding movements are not known (del Hoyo et al. 1996). This species feeds mainly upon small fish but will also take squid and crustaceans.

   Population Estimates and Trends
Delany and Scott (2006) estimated the population at 150,000–1,100,000 individuals. The overall population trend is stable, although some populations have unknown trends (Delany and Scott 2006; BirdLife International 2019). In Australia, the species breeds on Lord Howe, Norfolk, Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Carlile and