Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:3:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 5/26)
Character Range: 82791–85982

are particularly attractive tourist destinations (for example, Yorio et al. 2001). Wildlife tourism, recreational boating and fishing may disturb albatrosses and petrels at their breeding sites, as well as foraging birds adjacent to these locations.

Introduced invasive species
Threats from non-native species including predation, direct habitat destruction, degradation, damage, or disturbance.

Albatrosses and petrels are predominantly sensitive to terrestrial habitat changes that affect breeding sites. The progressive spread of human activity across the globe has led to the introduction of non-native animal and plant species to many previously pristine, remote offshore islands including those supporting albatross and petrel populations. While some non-native species were brought to these locations for food, or as domestic pets, other introductions occurred incidentally (for example, rats and mice on board ships). Introduced species may become pest species and threaten seabird populations on affected islands (Jouventin & Weimerskirch 1991, Thiebot et al. 2014).
Albatrosses and petrels are especially vulnerable to introduced mammals because of their lack of effective anti-predator behaviour, their habit of building their nests on the ground or in borrows and leaving chicks unattended during long-range foraging trips, and their low annual productivity (Baker et al. 2002). Invasive fauna may affect seabird populations via nest predation, nest destruction and habitat modification, with introduced grazing and browsing pest species impacting nesting sites by reducing cover, trampling nests and burrows, and increasing the risk of landslips (Croxall et al. 1984, Moors & Atkinson 1984, Robertson & Bell 1984).
Invasive flora species may affect breeding sites of albatrosses and petrels. The invasive flora causes adverse habitat modification, particularly through overgrowing nesting habitat, and creating a barrier to accessing breeding sites, including inhibiting access to burrows.
All breeding sites in Australia's jurisdiction are presently free from introduced species of fauna and flora that may cause population level impacts to albatross and petrel populations. Previous eradication efforts have eliminated feral cats, rabbits, rats and mice from Macquarie Island, the only breeding site in Australia where introduced pest species threatened local populations of albatrosses and petrels, with populations recovering at differing rates (Parks & Wildlife Service 2014, Buller et al in review a, in review b).
While Australian breeding sites are currently free of predators, the risk of introductions is always present, particularly where islands are visited regularly by humans. Ongoing vigilance is needed, in particular, concerning maintaining the human presence at Macquarie Island station, and during occasional visits by tourist vessels to the island, as well as research and management and tourist vessel visits to other islands. Australian and Tasmanian government agencies are working together to achieve the highest level of biosecurity for transport of goods and people to Macquarie Island. The danger to already threatened populations of albatrosses