Species covered by the recovery plan
Twenty-one species (nineteen albatross species and two giant petrel species) are covered by this recovery plan. These have been categorised as:
(i) ‘Breeding species’: species that breed on islands in areas under Australian jurisdiction (seven species); and
(ii) ‘Foraging species’: species that forage (or potentially forage), but do not breed, within areas under Australian jurisdiction (fourteen species).
This plan, and the accompanying Background Paper, were prepared for the species (see Table 1, column 2) as gazetted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The three additional species in the Table, while not listed as threatened under the Act, are included in this Plan because they occur in essentially the same areas, face the same conservation threats, require the same conservation actions, some are similarly endangered (as recognised on the IUCN Red List 2010) as the listed species, and their inclusion makes the Recovery Plan a more cogent document.
The taxonomy of albatrosses and petrels has been controversial for many years; it remains a work in progress and continued further development is expected. While a significant amount of new taxonomic information has become available since the 2001 Recovery Plan was finalised, including from genetic studies, this has not resulted in a resolution of the differing views on what is the most appropriate taxonomy. For a variety of reasons – including its international standing, use of the most recent data and review processes – and without wishing to stimulate unproductive taxonomic debate, this Plan uses the taxonomy adopted by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). The ACAP taxonomy is the same as that currently used by the IUCN Red List and Birdlife International; additionally, the Scientific Council of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has recently recommended CMS adopt it too. Columns 2 and 4 of Table 1 show how to "translate" the taxonomy used in the EPBC Act gazettals and the 2001 Recovery Plan to the ACAP taxonomy. The influential taxonomic work of Christidis and Boles 2008 was considered carefully during the development of this Plan, however the albatross and petrel taxonomy they advocate has not been widely accepted and is significantly different to that used by the above organisations. The use of the ACAP taxonomy does not substantially or practically alter the conservation actions and management priorities contained in this Plan.
Table 1: Albatross and giant-petrel species considered in this report, their EPBC Act listing status and scientific names, and their scientific names as used throughout this Recovery Plan.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:483.5pt; border:1.5pt solid #000000; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Common Name</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Scientific Name</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff"> used in EPBC Act listing</span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff"> and 2001 Recovery Plan</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">EPBC Act status</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Scientific Name used in this </span><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Recovery Plan</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:272.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#e6e6e6"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Breeding in Australian jurisdiction</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#e6e6e6"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#e6e6e6"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Wandering albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><h6 id="navPoint_3" style="text-align:left; font-size:10pt"><span>Diomedea exulans</span></h6></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea exulans</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Black browed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche melanophris</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche melanophris</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Shy albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">T</span><span style="font-style:italic">halassarche</span><span style="font-style:italic"> cauta</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche cauta</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Grey headed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche chrysostoma</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>En</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche chrysostoma</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Light mantled albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><a id="OLE_LINK3"><span style="font-style:italic">Phoebetria </span></a><span style="font-style:italic">palpebrata</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Not Listed</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Phoebetria palpebrata</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Northern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Macronectes halli</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Macronectes halli</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Macronectes giganteus</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>En</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Macronectes giganteus</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="width:272.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#e6e6e6"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Foraging in Australian jurisdiction</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#e6e6e6"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#e6e6e6"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic"></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Tristan albatross </span><span>*</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p id="navPoint_4" class="Heading7" style="font-size:10pt"><span>Diomedea dabbenena</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>En</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Diomedea dabbenena</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Antipodean albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea antipodensis</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea antipodensis</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">2</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Gibson's albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea gibsoni</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea antipodensis</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">2</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Northern royal albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea sanfordi</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>En</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea sanfordi</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern royal albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea epomophora</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea epomophora</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Amsterdam albatross</span><span> *</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea amsterdamensis</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>En</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Diomedea amsterdamensis</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Laysan albatross</span><span> *</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Phoebastria immutabilis</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Not Listed</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Phoebastria immutabilis</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Campbell albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche impavida</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche impavida</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>White capped albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche steadi</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche steadi</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; font-style:italic; vertical-align:super">1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Chatham albatross</span><span> *</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche eremita</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>En</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche eremita</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Salvin’s albatross</span><span> *</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche salvini</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche salvini</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Atlantic yellow nosed albatross</span><span> *</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche chlororhynchos</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Not Listed</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche chlororhynchos</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Indian yellow nosed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche carteri</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche carteri</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Buller’s albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche bulleri</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche bulleri</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">2</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Pacific albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche</span><span style="font-style:italic"> nov</span><span style="font-style:italic">.</span><span style="font-style:italic"> sp</span><span style="font-style:italic">.</span><span style="font-style:italic"> (platei)</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Thalassarche bulleri</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">2</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:145.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Sooty albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Phoebetria fusca</span></p></td><td style="width:45.9pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Vu</span></p></td><td style="width:130.95pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:6pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-style:italic">Phoebetria fusca</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
1 This change accords with the taxonomy adopted by Parties to ACAP; ACAP Resolution 2.5 noted that data warrant the recognition of Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta) and White-capped Albatross (Thalassarche steadi) as divergent and diagnosable species.
2 This change accords with the taxonomy adopted by Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP); ACAP Resolution 2.5 noted that data did not warrant the recognition of Antipodean albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) and Gibson's albatross (Diomedea gibsoni), and Buller's albatross (Thalassarche bulleri) and Pacific albatross (Thalassarche nov. sp. (platei)) at the specific level.
* Denotes vagrant in Australian waters.
See also Appendix C for further information on scientific names according to Christidis and Boles (Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds, 2008)
Distribution and Populations
There are ten separate breeding locations for albatrosses and giant petrels under Australian jurisdiction (Table 2 and Figure 1).
Table 2: Breeding populations of albatrosses and giant petrels within Australian jurisdiction.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:495.95pt; border:1.5pt solid #000000; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Breeding location</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Species</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Estimated annual breeding population</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; color:#ffffff">Most recent survey date</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><h2 id="navPoint_6" style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; text-align:left; font-size:10pt"><span>Population trend</span></h2></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top; background-color:#808080"><h2 id="navPoint_7" style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; text-align:left; font-size:10pt"><span>Trend </span><span>assessment</span><span> based on</span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Macquarie Island</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Black browed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>57</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Annual data 1995-20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Light mantled albatross*</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~1200</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">1</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>2005</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Data</span><span> 1994 and 2005</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Grey headed albatross*</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>108</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Annual data 1995-20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Wandering albatross*</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>4</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable/</span><span> </span><span>Decreasing?</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Annual data 1963-20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Northern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1</span><span>6</span><span>8</span><span>9</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>200</span><span>9</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable/</span><span> </span><span>Increasing?</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Annual data 1995-20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>25</span><span>34</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Data 1996-2004 and 2006-20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Bishop and Clerk</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Black browed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~140</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1993</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Very </span><span>few</span><span> data available due to difficulty of access</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Heard Island</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Black browed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~600</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>2000</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Few</span><span> data available</span><span> due to limited access; </span><span>1954, 1955, 1980, 1987, 2001</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Light mantled albatross*</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>200-500</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1954</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Very </span><span>few</span><span> data (</span><span>only </span><span>1954)</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~3000</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1988</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Very </span><span>few</span><span> data: 1952, 1988, 2004</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>McDonald Island</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Light mantled albatross*</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Na</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td rowspan="3" style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Not visited since extensive seismic activity began in late 1990s; visits not permitted by Management Plan</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Black browed albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~80</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1981</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~1400</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1979</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Giganteus Island</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span></span><span>3</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>2007</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Few comparable data</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Hawker Island</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~</span><span>45</span><span style="font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super">2</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable?</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>As above</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Frazier Islands</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Southern giant petrel</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~170</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>1990</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable?</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>As above</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Albatross Island</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Shy albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>52</span><span>33</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>200</span><span>9</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Stable</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Data 1989, 2000, 2002 and 2004-20</span><span>1</span><span>0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Mewstone</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Shy albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>9000-11000</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>2005</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Unknown</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Very </span><span>few</span><span> data available</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:72.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.65pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Pedra Branca</span></p></td><td style="width:109.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Shy albatross</span></p></td><td style="width:53pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>~220</span></p></td><td style="width:38.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>2007</span></p></td><td style="width:60.1pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Decreasing</span></p></td><td style="width:95.5pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.65pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:2pt; margin-bottom:2pt; font-size:10pt"><span>Data 1991, 1993, 1995-1997 and 1999-2007</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
* Denotes biennial breeding species. Breeding population estimates represent annual census, not the total breeding population.
1 Annual monitoring continues at 9 breeding sites. Light mantled albatross breed at intervals of 2 to 4 years and not all sites are accessible, total breeding population probably ranges from around 1,000 to 2,000 annual breeding pairs. Population trends were determined from monitored sites which were largely stable.
2 Preliminary figure based on a count of occupied nests using photographs taken by automated cameras during 2009/10.
View image in the official source
Figure 1: Location of albatross and giant petrel breeding colonies within Australian jurisdiction.
Habitat critical to the survival of albatrosses and giant petrels
Breeding Habitat
Albatrosses and giant petrels breed at only six localities under Australian jurisdiction. These are:
- Macquarie Island (including Bishop and Clerk Islets);
- Albatross Island;
- Pedra Branca;
- the Mewstone;
- Heard and McDonald Islands; and
- the Australian Antarctic Territory (Giganteus Island, Hawker Island and the Frazier Islands).
These remote islands constitute the only suitable breeding habitat under Australian jurisdiction and should be regarded as habitat that is critical to the survival of albatrosses and giant petrels in Australian waters. Shy albatrosses breed only within Australia, and hence the breeding habitats of this species (Albatross Island, Pedra Branca and the Mewstone) comprise its entire breeding habitat. Macquarie Island, Heard and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) host several species of albatrosses and giant petrels. There are no other islands within areas under Australian jurisdiction that are considered to be potential or former breeding habitat for albatrosses or giant petrels.
Foraging Habitat
Albatross and giant petrel species exhibit a broad range of diets and foraging behaviours, and hence their at-sea distributions are diverse. Combined with their ability to cover vast oceanic distances, all waters within Australian jurisdiction can be considered foraging habitat, however the most critical foraging habitat is considered to be those waters south of 25 degrees where most species spend the majority of their foraging time. This assessment is supported by a range of research, including extensive albatross tracking studies (see summary map at Appendix B).
Key threats
There are numerous threats to albatrosses and giant petrels both on terrestrial breeding sites and at-sea in their foraging habitat. These are listed below and summarised in the background paper available at (www.antarctica.gov.au and www.environment.gov.au). Land based threats are specific to Australian populations whereas threats faced at sea may affect individuals from any population that spends some part of their life foraging in waters under Australian jurisdiction.
Table 3: Summary of threats to albatrosses and giant-petrels
| At-sea threats | Land-based threats |
|---|
| Incidental catch resulting from fishing operationsCompetition with fisheries for marine resourcesDependence on discardsMarine pollutionClimate changeIntentional shooting/killing | Feral pest speciesHuman disturbance at the nestParasites and diseasesLoss of nesting habitatCompetition for nest spaceClimate change |
The most pervasive threat to albatross and giant petrel survival is the accidental mortality and injury arising from interactions with human fishing activities. These interactions have been implicated in the dramatic population declines witnessed around the globe and are the focus of conservation efforts. While additional threats to albatrosses and giant petrels, whether on land or in the marine environment, are generally less devastating, they compound the problem of fishing related mortality.
The magnitude and temporal and spatial extent of fishing related mortality in the southern hemisphere to date has been such that it potentially renders other conservation actions ineffective. For example, for some albatross colonies subject to serious unmanageable threats to breeding habitat (e.g. from volcanic activity), it has been suggested that translocation of breeding colonies (i.e. encouraging birds to breed in a new, more favourable location) might be appropriate. Notwithstanding the inherent difficulties of such an action (e.g. the very high degree of philopatry exhibited by albatrosses, the limited success and resource-intensive nature of translocations), fishing mortality has been so pervasive in the southern hemisphere, at least, that it would potentially continue to cause population declines in a translocated population.
Climate change is emerging as an important factor in understanding the threats and recovery of albatross and giant petrel populations. Through modifications to marine and terrestrial environments, climate change is likely to cause fundamental changes to aspects of the breeding biology and foraging ecology of albatross and giant petrel species. Changes in abundance and distribution of fish species leads to continual changes in fishing methods and spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort – which has direct implications for albatross and giant petrel conservation. Climate change may also influence the scale and severity of other threats, in turn directly influencing survival and breeding parameters.
Specific impacts of climate change predicted for albatross and giant petrel species are:
-
altered reproductive success;
-
changes to prey species abundance, distribution and availability;
-
changes to breeding phenology; and
-
loss or alteration of breeding and feeding habitats due to sea level rise and increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Actions relating to the effect of climate change on albatrosses and giant petrels focus on identifying information gaps and developing research and monitoring protocols to detect and measure impacts of change. Strategic actions to build resilience to climate change, such as ensuring major food sources and associated trophic pathways are maintained and that mortality associated with human activity is minimised, are also important.
The ultimate responsibility for threats facing albatrosses and giant petrels breeding and foraging within Australian jurisdiction varies. Threats may be exclusive to Australia and involve dedicated management or mitigation strategies. They may also involve other nations, in which case Australia has to engage with those nations to promote and assist seabird conservation. The threatening process may be a phenomenon that cannot practically be reversed, i.e. climate change and regime shifts. In this case Australia should understand the changes and consider compensating or active interventions as appropriate.
As the nature of the threats to albatrosses and giant petrels is constantly changing, an adaptive, flexible management approach for conservation must incorporate prediction and information collection, feedback and re-assessment.
Evaluation of Performance of Previous Plan
The 2001 Recovery Plan nominated four recovery criteria against which to judge the success of the albatross and giant petrel recovery plan. None of those four criteria can be judged to have been fully met (Table 4).
Table 4: Assessment of recovery criteria in 2001 Recovery Plan.
| Recovery Criteria | Status |
|---|
| Incidental bycatch during longline fishing operations is consistent with the criteria specified in the longline fishing threat abatement plan for all albatross and giant petrel species within the AFZ. | Not achieved |
| All human induced threats to albatrosses and giant petrels have been minimised or eliminated. | Not achieved |
| No breeding population within areas under Australian jurisdiction declines due to human activities. | Unknown |
| All albatross and giant petrel breeding populations within areas under Australian jurisdiction that have declined, exhibit a sustained increase in population size. | Not achieved |
The poor outcome of these recovery criteria is due to one or a combination of the following:
- the criteria operate on a time scale beyond the life of the recovery plan;
- the criteria were not practical, e.g. many human induced threats are outside Australian control; and
- longline fishing is no longer the sole major threat facing albatrosses and giant petrels. Land-based threats, as well as other forms of fishing, such as trawl fishing operations, also threaten these species.
The 2001 Recovery Plan identified six specific objectives and a total of forty associated recovery actions. As part of the performance evaluation, each recovery action was assessed according to the performance indicator and scored between 0-3 using the following criteria:
0 No progress / cannot be assessed
1 Insufficient action to meet criteria
2 Action underway – most elements of action met or it is anticipated they will be
3 Criteria met – further action may or may not be required
The individual assessments for each of the forty recovery actions are contained in the background document. The results for the specific objectives are summarised in Table 5.
Table 5: Evaluation of achievement against specific objectives of 2001 Recovery Plan.
| Specific Objective | Score | Comments |
|---|
| Quantify and reduce the threats to the survival of albatrosses and giant petrels within areas under Australian jurisdiction | (11 Actions)45% achieved | Good achievement where recovery actions are aligned with Threat Abatement Plan (i.e. longlining) and for investigation into the foraging ranges of albatrosses and giant petrels has been comprehensive. Lack of actions relating to all other threats, particularly other fishing methods, is responsible for poor achievement. Note that priority was intentionally given to longlining as it posed the greatest immediate threat. |
| Quantify and reduce the threats to the reproductive success of albatrosses and giant petrels breeding within areas under Australian jurisdiction | (13 Actions)72% achieved | Most of the actions relating to land based threats have been partially or completely implemented.Threats at sea require quantification. |
| Quantify and reduce the threats to the foraging habitat of albatrosses and giant petrels within areas under Australian jurisdiction | (3 Actions)11% achieved | Lower priority in the case of marine pollution. Dietary requirements not directly accounted for in AFMA's fisheries management regime although they indirectly form part of the ecosystem-based management framework being implemented. |
| a) Maintain existing population monitoring programs for albatrosses and giant petrels breeding on Macquarie Island, Albatross Island, Pedra Branca and the Mewstone; andb) Develop population monitoring programs for other representative breeding populations under Australian jurisdiction | (8 Actions)63% achieved | All monitoring and demographic programs that were in existence at the start of the 2001 recovery plan have been maintained. Few new reliable data have been obtained for other breeding populations for which the population level and trend were unknown when the 2001 Recovery Plan was adopted. |
| Educate fishers and promote public awareness of the threats to albatrosses and giant petrels | (1 Action)33% achieved | Good for visitation to breeding colonies and longline fishing. Lacking for intentional shooting, and trawl and troll fishers. |
| Achieve substantial progress towards global conservation of albatrosses and giant petrels in international conservation and fishing fora | (2 Actions)100% achieved | Australia has had significant, substantial and influential involvement in international fora. |
| Assess and revise the albatross and giant petrel recovery plan as necessary | (2 Actions)33% achieved | Annual meetings to assess and revise the recovery plan did not occur although in-house informal assessment was carried out. |