Inadequate knowledge of population trendInadequate knowledge of population trends

Inadequate knowledge of population trends

• Estimating the size of the Abbott’s booby population is extremely difficult and has been resource intensive when attempted.
• Annual monitoring programs were discontinued in 1994 and have not been reinstated.
• A revised monitoring program should be designed and implemented as a high priority to guide future management. This should focus on measuring population change rather than total size. Parameters that should be measured include the number of breeding pairs at sites both affected and not-affected by mining, and the breeding success or otherwise of pairs at these sites.
• Sampling design for the revised monitoring program should allow for assessment of: overall population trends and breeding success; the impact of wind turbulence and success of rehabilitation efforts; and the impact of IRPC and APSC.
• Statistical advice should be sought in the development of monitoring methodology.
• Historical Abbott’s booby monitoring data should be upgraded and keyed for future reference.