8Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds

8 Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds

Biologically important areas (BIAs) are areas that are particularly important for the conservation of the protected species and where aggregations of individuals display biologically important behaviour such as breeding, foraging, resting or migration.

BIAs were originally identified for some (but not all) seabirds through a rigorous and robust process as part of the Commonwealth Bioregional Planning Process and are referenced in Commonwealth Marine Bioregional Plans. The selection of BIAs for species was informed by the availability of scientific information, the conservation status of listed species and the importance of the region for the species. They represent areas where a specific behaviour is known to occur. The absence of an identified BIA does not mean that an area is not important habitat, just that it was not known at the time of assessment. This is because BIA maps reflect the best available information at the time of publication.

Specifically, BIAs are based on the following:

1. Behaviour (feeding, nesting, migration) occurs in the area;
2. Certainty of occurrence (only areas of ‘known’ or ‘likely’ occurrence are considered);
3. The level to which species use the BIA;
4. The season(s) during which species use the BIA; and
5. Source(s) of the information upon which the BIA is based.

Biologically important areas have been identified for a number of listed seabirds that occur in Commonwealth marine areas. Behaviours used to define biologically important areas for seabirds include breeding areas with a foraging buffer, and roosting habitats.

The BIA maps are a dynamic tool which allow for up-to-date information to be stored and referenced in a geospatial environment, building on information used to inform the wildlife conservation plan.

The range of species for which biologically important areas are identified will continue to expand as reliable spatial and scientific information becomes available. Biologically important areas are included in the Department’s Conservation Values Atlas (www.environment.gov.au/cva).

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 9

Chapter 3 Legal Framework

Marine species

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Australia has rights and responsibilities over 16 million square kilometres of ocean – more than twice the area of the Australian continent. Within this area live thousands of marine species, some of which are unique to Australia and all of which contribute to making Australia the most biodiverse rich country in our region.