Goulds Petrel Recovery Plan - Office of Environment and Heritage · 2016-06-15 · Approved Recovery Plan Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera) Acknowledgments In October

November 2006

Approved Recovery Plan

Department ofEnvironment andConservation (NSW)

Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera)

Recovery Plan

© Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), 2006.

This work is copyright, however, material presented in this plan may be copied forpersonal use or may be published for educational purposes providing that any extractsare fully acknowledged. Apart from this and any other use as permitted under theCopyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permissionfrom the Department of Environment and Conservation.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Department ofEnvironment and Conservation (NSW).

Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)43 Bridge Street(PO Box 1967)Hurstville NSW 2220Tel: 02 9585 6444www.environment.nsw.gov.au

For further information contact:Biodiversity Conservation Section, North East BranchEnvironmental Planning and Regulation Division,Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)Locked Bag 914Coffs Harbour NSW 2450Tel: 02 6651 5946

Cover photo: adult Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera)Photographer: Nicholas Carlile, Department of Environment and Conservation(NSW)

This document should be cited as follows:Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2006). Gould’s Petrel(Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera) Recovery Plan. Department of Environment andConservation (NSW), Hurstville, NSW.

ISBN 1 74137 784 6DEC 2006/11

Approved Recovery Plan Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera)

Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucopteraleucoptera) Recovery Plan.

Executive Summary

This document constitutes the formal Commonwealth and New South Wales Recovery Plan for the Gould’s Petrel(Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera). It identifies the actions to be taken to ensure the long-term viability of theGould’s Petrel in nature and the parties who will carry these out.

The Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera) is listed as an endangered species on Schedule 1 of theNSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and is also listed as endangered under the CommonwealthEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Gould’s Petrel is Australia’s rarest endemicseabird and only breeds on Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands, off the coast of Port Stephens, NSW. Activemanagement of the Gould’s Petrel commenced in 1992, when the then National Parks and Wildlife Service (nowthe Department Environment and Conservation (DEC)) initiated a research program to determine the current statusof the population and to identify any threats affecting the subspecies. At that time, there were less than 250 pairs. In1996, an interim recovery plan for the Gould’s Petrel was prepared.

Since 1992, the DEC, with the assistance of the Commonwealth Government and volunteers, has been working toidentify and control threats and to enhance the small colony on Boondelbah Island. While some significantachievements have been made, including the eradication of rabbits from Cabbage Tree Island and an overallincrease in population numbers and breeding success, further work is required to secure the recovery of thisendangered subspecies.

This recovery plan describes our current understanding of Gould’s Petrel, documents the management actionsundertaken to date, and outlines the recovery program over the next five years.

To provide for the future recovery of Gould’s Petrel, this plan advocates a recovery program that:• favours in-situ protection and the management of threats at Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands;• maintains the translocated population on Boondelbah Island;• raises public awareness of Gould’s Petrel;• identifies and recommends Cabbage Tree Island as critical habitat; and• examines the ecological aspects of Gould’s Petrel which will inform management decisions regarding the

long-term conservation of the subspecies. It is intended that this recovery plan will be implemented over a five-year period. Recovery actions will largely beimplemented using existing resources of various NSW government agencies and community groups. The total costto implement the plan is $203,500 over five years.

Lisa Corbyn Bob Debus MP Director General Minister for the Environment


Acknowledgments

In October 1996, David Priddel and Nicholas Carlile, Biodiversity Conservation Science Section, NSWDEC prepared a Gould’s Petrel (Interim) Recovery Plan for the period 1996 – 2001.

This Recovery Plan covers the period 2005/06 – 2010/11 and was prepared by Julie Ravallion, RossWellington and Tania Duratovic of the Biodiversity Conservation Section, Metro, DEC. Much of thebackground information in this plan has been taken from the 1996 (Interim) Recovery Plan and the entirerecovery strategy was devised by David Priddel and Nicholas Carlile in consultation with the Gould’sPetrel Recovery Team.

The assistance of the following people is gratefully acknowledged for both their contributions to this planand to the implementation of the recovery program to date.

The Recovery Team

Previous and present members: David Priddel, DEC; Nicholas Carlile, DEC; Dr Peter Fullagar, Divisionof Wildlife and Ecology, CSIRO (retired); Keith Brandwood, Cumberland Bird Observers Club; GeorgeMalolakis, (ex) Hunter Region, DEC; Mick Murphy, Hunter Coast Region, DEC; Julie Ravallion, DEC;Tania Duratovic, DEC; Lloyd Van der Wallen, (ex)DEC.

For assistance in the preparation of the plan

The following DEC staff provided valuable input into the preparation of the plan: Robert Humphries,Biodiversity Conservation Section, Metro, DEC; Kerry Oakes and Tina Stojanovski, DEC, assisted withfinal production and printing.

To the staff at Hunter Coast Area and to Dean Portelli, Jeff O’Neill, Lisa O’Neill and to all the volunteerspast and present who have helped over the years in the recovery of this subspecies.

Financial assistance

The DEC gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution made by the Foundation of National Parksand Wildlife and the Commonwealth Government through the Environment Australia’s EndangeredSpecies Program and more recently through the National Heritage Trust, to the recovery of the Gould’sPetrel.


Table of contents1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................1

2 Legislative context........................................................................................................................1

2.1 Legal status ..........................................................................................................................12.2 Recovery Plan preparation...................................................................................................12.3 Recovery Plan implementation............................................................................................12.4 Critical habitat .....................................................................................................................12.5 Key threatening processes ...................................................................................................22.6 Environmental assessment...................................................................................................2

3 Conservation status......................................................................................................................3

4 Description....................................................................................................................................3

5 Distribution and Habitat .............................................................................................................4

5.1 Land tenure ..........................................................................................................................56 Biology and Ecology.....................................................................................................................7

7 Previous Recovery Actions..........................................................................................................8

7.1 Recovery strategy ................................................................................................................87.2 Establishment of a recovery team........................................................................................87.3 Outcomes of implementing interim recovery objectives .....................................................8

7.3.1 Threat reduction (Objectives 1, 2 & 3) ...................................................................87.3.2 Breeding success (Objective 4)...............................................................................87.3.3 Monitoring (Objectives 5 & 6) ...............................................................................87.3.4 Establishment of a second colony (Objective 7)...................................................107.3.5 Community education and awareness (Objective 8).............................................10

8 Management issues ....................................................................................................................11

8.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................118.2 Understanding of biology and ecology..............................................................................118.3 Threats and reasons for decline .........................................................................................11

8.3.1 Entanglement with Pisonia ...................................................................................118.3.2 Predation by avian predators.................................................................................128.3.3 Disturbance from jet aircraft .................................................................................128.3.4 Potential threats ....................................................................................................12

8.4 Social and economic considerations ..................................................................................128.4.1 Social considerations ............................................................................................128.4.2 Economic considerations ......................................................................................138.4.3 Roles/interest of indigenous peoples ....................................................................138.4.4 Biodiversity benefits .............................................................................................13

8.5 Translocation .....................................................................................................................138.6 Ability to recover...............................................................................................................13

8.6.1 Likelihood of extinction .......................................................................................138.6.2 Likelihood of recovery .........................................................................................13

9 Objectives and performance criteria........................................................................................14

10 Implementation ..........................................................................................................................16


11 Preparation details .....................................................................................................................16

12 Review date.................................................................................................................................17

13 Contacts 17

14 References ...................................................................................................................................19

List of FiguresFigure 1: Gould’s Petrel - adult. .............................................................................................................. 4Figure 2: Gully with Cabbage Tree Palms, Cabbage Tree Island, NSW................................................. 5Figure 3: Gould’s Petrel breeding habitat, Cabbage Tree Island, NSW.................................................. 5Figure 4: Locality map: Port Stephens, NSW. ....................................................................................... 6Figure 5: Courting Gould’s Petrels.......................................................................................................... 7Figure 6: Nestling Gould’s Petrel............................................................................................................ 7Figure 8: Number of fledglings on Cabbage Tree Island 1989 – 2004 (Priddel & Carlile 1997; Priddel

unpublished). (Horizontal line indicates current target). ......................................................... 9Figure 9: Breeding success on Cabbage Tree Island 1989 – 2004 (Priddel & Carlile 2002; Priddel

unpublished). (Horizontal line indicates current target). ....................................................... 10 AppendicesAppendix 1: Translocation program (Summary)Appendix 2: Gould’s Petrel Species Information ProfileAppendix 3: Survey methods for estimating population size and breeding success of Gould's Petrels on

Cabbage Tree Island, New South WalesAppendix 4: Summary of advice provided by the Scientific Committee on the recovery plan.


Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) Page 1

1 Introduction The Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucopteraleucoptera) is Australia’s rarest endemic seabird.The subspecies has one significant breedinglocality at Cabbage Tree Island, off the coast atPort Stephens, New South Wales (NSW).Without management, Gould’s Petrel isextremely vulnerable to extinction due to acombination of low population numbers, limitedbreeding sites and severe threatening processes.

On Cabbage Tree Island, the subspecies isthought to have suffered substantial declinesover the last 30 years due to the combinedeffects of predation by avian predators,entanglement in the sticky fruits of the Bird-limeTree (Pisonia umbellifera) and degradation ofhabitat through rabbit grazing.

While the implementation of the Gould’s Petrelrecovery effort to date has achieved a significantreduction in mortality and a substantial increasein breeding success, population numbers remainlow. Current estimates number the population atabout 2500 individuals comprising 1000breeding pairs (N. Carlile, DEC pers. comm.Nov. 2005).

This Recovery Plan describes the currentunderstanding of the Gould’s Petrel, reports onthe implementation of the 1996 Gould’s Petrel(Interim) Recovery Plan and outlines therecovery program for the next 5 years.

2 Legislative context 2.1 Legal status The Gould’s Petrel is listed on Schedule 1 of theNSW Threatened Species Conservation Act1995 (TSC Act) as endangered. The NSWScientific Committee established under the TSCAct is responsible for maintaining the schedulesunder the Act. In January 1998, the ScientificCommittee made a final determination to changethe status of the Gould’s Petrel from vulnerable(Schedule 2) to endangered (Schedule 1). It isthe view of the Scientific Committee that theGould’s Petrel is likely to become extinct innature in NSW unless the circumstances andfactors threatening its survival cease to operate.

The nominate race P. l. leucoptera is also listedas endangered on the Commonwealth’sEnvironment Protection and BiodiversityConservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

2.2 Recovery Plan preparation The TSC Act and EPBC Act require thepreparation of recovery plans for species listedon the schedules of these Acts.

The TSC Act includes specific requirements forboth the matters to be addressed by recoveryplans and the process for preparing recoveryplans. This plan satisfies these provisions.

In accordance with the requirements of the TSCAct, a draft version of this plan was placed onpublic exhibition from 28 October 2000 to 4December 2000. No public submissions werereceived on this plan.

The Commonwealth EPBC Act requires theFederal Minister for the Environment to ensurethat a recovery plan is in force for each specieslisted on the schedules of this Act.

The EPBC Act also includes specificrequirements for both the matters to beaddressed by recovery plans and the process forpreparing recovery plans. This plan also satisfiesthese provisions.

2.3 Recovery Planimplementation

In NSW, the TSC Act requires that Ministersand public authorities (including the DirectorGeneral of the DEC) take appropriate actionavailable to them to implement those measuresincluded in an approved recovery plan for whichthey are responsible. In addition, a Minister for apublic authority must not undertake actionsinconsistent with an approved recovery plan.

The NSW government agency relevant to thisplan is the DEC. Consequently, the DEC, as thegovernment agency responsible for the habitat ofthe species, must manage this species and itshabitat in accordance with this recovery plan.The DEC has been implementing the actions inthis recovery plan throughout the exhibition andapproval process for the plan.

The EPBC Act requires that Commonwealthagencies must not take any action thatcontravenes a recovery plan. The onlyCommonwealth agency relevant to this plan isthe Department of Defence.

2.4 Critical habitat The TSC Act makes provision for theidentification and declaration of critical habitat


Page 2 Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)

for species listed as endangered. Declaration ofcritical habitat provides clear legal recognitionof the significance of an area or areas of land forthe ongoing survival of a species. Once declared,it becomes an offence to damage critical habitat(unless an action is specifically exempted underthe TSC Act) and a Species Impact Statement isrequired for all development and activitiesproposed within critical habitat.

A draft recommendation for critical habitat wasexhibited from 28 October 2000 to 4 December2000 with the draft Recovery Plan.Subsequently, critical habitat for the Gould’sPetrel was declared on 10th November, 2006.

2.5 Key threatening processes Competition and grazing by feral Europeanrabbit is listed as a key threatening process onSchedule 3 of the TSC Act and has relevance tothe conservation of Gould’s Petrel and itshabitat.

Competition and land degradation by feralrabbits is also listed as a key threatening processunder the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act. A ThreatAbatement Plan (TAP) has been prepared byEnvironment Australia in consultation with Stateagencies to address this threatening process.Rabbits are identified in this plan as a knownthreat to Gould’s Petrel (Environment Australia1999). One of the objectives of the TAP is “toeradicate rabbits from islands or isolated areaswhere they are a threat to endangered orvulnerable native species or ecologicalcommunities” (Environment Australia 1999, p.24).

The Gould’s Petrel recovery effort is directlyrelevant to the implementation of this TAP andcontributes to the overall strategy to control feralrabbits on offshore islands in Australia (seeSections 7.3.1).

2.6 Environmental assessment

2.6.1 New South Wales The NSW Environmental Planning andAssessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) requires thatconsent and determining authorities, and theDirector General of the DEC, as a concurrenceauthority, consider relevant recovery plans whenexercising a decision-making function underParts 4 and 5 of the EP&A Act. Decision-makersmust consider known and potential habitat,biological and ecological factors and theregional significance of individual populations.

As the species is only known from landsmanaged by the DEC, the only relevant consentor determining authority for this plan is theDEC.

Any activity not requiring a consent or approvalunder the EP&A Act, and which is likely toaffect Gould’s Petrel, requires a Section 91licence from the Director General of the DECunder the provisions of the TSC Act. Such alicence can be issued with or without conditions,or can be refused. If a significant effect onGould’s Petrel is unlikely, the Director Generalof the DEC will issue the proponent of such anactivity with a Section 95(2) certificate that actsas a defence to prosecution under sections 118A-D of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974(NPW Act).

A scientific licence issued under Section 132Cof the NPW Act is required to ‘harm’ Gould’sPetrel or damage its habitat for scientific,educational or conservation purposes.

2.6.2 Commonwealth The EPBC Act regulates actions that may resultin a significant impact on nationally listedthreatened species and ecological communities.It is an offence to undertake any such actions inareas under State or Territory jurisdiction, aswell as on Commonwealth owned areas, withoutobtaining prior approval from theCommonwealth Minister for the Environment.As Gould’s Petrel is listed nationally under theEPBC Act, any person proposing to undertakeactions likely to have a significant impact on thisspecies should refer the action to theCommonwealth Minister for the Environmentfor consideration. The Minister will then decidewhether the action requires EPBC Act approval.

Administrative guidelines are available fromCommonwealth Department of Environment andHeritage (www.deh.gov.au/epbc) to assistproponents in determining whether their actionis likely to have a significant impact. In caseswhere the action does not require EPBC Actapproval, but will result in the death or injury toGould’s Petrel in a Commonwealth area, apermit issued by the Commonwealth Ministerfor the Environment under the EPBC Act will berequired.

The Commonwealth Minister for theEnvironment can also delegate the role ofassessment and approval to otherCommonwealth Ministers under a MinisterialDeclaration and to the States and Territories



under bilateral agreements. The development ofa bilateral agreement between NSW and theCommonwealth is not complete at the date ofthis publication, but when in place will avoid theneed for duplication of environmentalassessment.

3 Conservation status Gould’s Petrel is listed as endangered at a State(TSC Act) and National (EPBC Act) level. Thespecies is considered to be at risk of extinctionas a consequence of the following factors:• Restricted extent of occurrence.• The total population of Gould's Petrel is

estimated to have declined by at least 26%between 1970 and 1992.

• Breeding success is consistently less than25% when threatening processes areunmitigated.

• Threats to Gould's Petrel include predationby Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina anddegradation of nesting habitat by theintroduced Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus.

The conservation status of the Gould’s Petrel hasimproved since the inception of the recoveryprogram.

When management actions commenced in 1992,research determined that:

• less than 250 breeding pairs of Gould’sPetrel nested on Cabbage Tree Island;

• less than 20% of pairs were successfullyproducing fledged young;

• less than 50 young were being producedannually;

• adult mortality exceeded 50 birds perannum; and

• the subspecies was declining in numbers.

Since that time, management of the populationhas improved the conservation status of thepopulation. Monitoring undertaken hasdetermined:

• 2500 individuals comprising 1000breeding pairs nest on Cabbage TreeIsland (2004/05);

• about 12 breeding pairs were discoveredat a second breeding location onBoondelbah Island in 1999/2000;

• an average of 300 fledglings are producedeach year;

• approximately 50% of pairs aresuccessfully producing fledged young;and

• average adult mortality is now less than10 birds per year.

The challenge for this recovery effort is to:• maintain overall population numbers and

breeding success;• complete the enhancement of the Gould’s

Petrel colony on Boondelbah Island; and• facilitate regeneration of the rainforest

understorey on Cabbage Tree Island.

4 Description Gould's Petrel (Pterodroma leucopteraleucoptera) is a member of the gadfly group ofpetrels. All members of the group are pelagic,soar erratically on narrow wings, and feed onsurface fish, small squid and krill. Gould's Petrelis one of three subspecies of P. leucoptera thatare currently recognised. The subspecies are allmorphologically quite similar and as far as isknown have similar general breeding habit. Thetwo non-Australian subspecies L.l. brevipes andL.l. caledonensis occur in Fiji and NewCaledonia respectively. Additional records ofthese subspecies may result in a broadening ofour understanding of their distribution base butneither has been studied, consequently currenttaxonomic and conservation status for these isuncertain. However, like Gould's Petrel, both theother races are known to be rare and, fromcurrent understanding, have restricted breedingsites (Marchant and Higgins 1990; Cabot et al.1998; Stattersfield and Capper 2000).

Gould's Petrel has a body length of 30 cm, awingspan of 75 cm and weight of approximately180 g. The upper surface of the long narrowwings has a distinctive ‘M’ pattern. This,together with a darker head, distinguishes itfrom other Australian Pterodroma of similarsize. The underside of the body and wings arewhite with a dark edge to the wing thatterminates in a diagonal bar from the carpelinwards. Both sexes are identical and immaturebirds fledge in adult plumage.



Figure 1: Gould’s Petrel - adult.Photo N. Carlile, DEC

5 Distribution and Habitat Gould's Petrel breeds on Cabbage Tree Island(32° 42` S; 152° 14` E), 1.4 km offshore fromPort Stephens, NSW (Figure 4). This 30 haisland was thought to be the sole breedinglocality for this species, but a few nesting birdswere discovered on nearby Boondelbah Island in1995 (Priddel and Carlile 1996a).

Cabbage Tree Island measures approximately1.0 km by 480 m and rises abruptly to anelevation of 123 m (Priddel and Carlile, 1997).The principal nesting habitat of Gould’s Petrel islocated within two gullies on the western side ofthe island (Fullagar, 1976). These gullies havean approximate total area of 2 ha and arecharacterised by steeply sloping rock scree and acanopy of Cabbage Tree Palms (Livistonaaustralis), Deciduous Fig (Ficus superba),Sandpaper Fig (Ficus fraseri), and Native Plum(Planchonella australis) (Figures 2 & 3).Gould’s Petrel nests predominantly in naturalrock crevices among the rock scree, but nestingalso occurs in hollow fallen palm trunks, undermats of fallen palm fronds and in cavities amongthe buttresses of fig trees. They breed coloniallyand the nests are clumped and often less than 1m apart (D’Ombrain 1943).

Although the core breeding habitat for Gould’sPetrel is contained within 2 ha on Cabbage TreeIsland, additional nests have been located inareas fringing the gullies or in small rock screearound the periphery of the island (Priddel andCarlile 1997). These nests account forapproximately 20% of the total nests (Priddeland Carlile 1997).

The non-breeding range and feeding areas ofGould's Petrel is unknown, but it appears thatthe species forages predominantly within theTasman Sea. Beach washed specimens andsightings at sea extend as far north as theQueensland border and as far west as Eyre onthe Western Australian south coast (Marchantand Higgins 1990).

Historical information pertaining to size of thepopulation is scant and imprecise. When firstdescribed by John Gould in 1844, theinformation relayed to him was that thesubspecies was “breeding in great numbers”, butno estimation of population size was given. Thefirst assessment of abundance was made in 1970when the population ashore on Cabbage TreeIsland was estimated at about 2000 individuals(Fullagar 1976). Work undertaken in 1992 and1993, estimated population size at between 1150and 1500 birds and indicated that the subspecieshad declined by 26 - 42% during the past fewdecades (Priddel et al. 1995). Experimental



management actions undertaken between 1993and 2003 has resulted in the total breedingpopulation increasing from an annual average of220 in the late 1980s (Priddel and Carlile, 1997)to more than 1000 pairs in 2004/5 (N. Carlile,DEC pers. comm. Nov. 2005– see section 7).

5.1 Land tenure Cabbage Tree Island (John Gould NR) andBoondelbah Island are both gazetted NatureReserves under the NPW Act. As such, thesubspecies habitat is protected from land usesincompatible with nature conservation.

Figure 2: Gully with Cabbage Tree Palms, Cabbage Tree Island, NSW. Photo N. Carlile, DEC

Figure 3: Gould’s Petrel breeding habitat, Cabbage Tree Island, NSW.Photo N. Carlile, DEC



Figure 4: Locality map: Port Stephens, NSW.



6 Biology and Ecology Gould's Petrels begin to arrive on Cabbage TreeIsland to breed from mid to late September. Thebirds arrive and depart the island under the coverof darkness. Egg laying takes place over a sixweek period commencing in early November.Gould's Petrels lay a single egg and, if lost, theegg is not replaced. Incubation takes 49 days tocomplete and usually involves incubation shiftsby each parent in turns of around 16 - 17 daysduration. The chick is brooded for one or twodays only. Both parents then share the

responsibility of feeding the chick. The youngremain in the nest for about 13 weeks, duringwhich time they can achieve weights of aroundone and a half times that of their parents.Fledglings depart the island from late March toearly May. It is believed that young birds remainat sea for several years. The earliest record offirst breeding is at 4-5 years of age although datais extremely limited (N. Carlile, DEC pers.comm.). Longevity can exceed 28 years (D.Priddel unpublished). Gould's Petrels aremonogamous and pair bonds appear to belongstanding.

Figure 5: Courting Gould’s PetrelsPhoto N. Carlile, DEC

Figure 6: Nestling Gould’s PetrelPhoto N. Carlile, DEC



7 Previous RecoveryActions

7.1 Recovery strategy The Gould’s Petrel has been the subject of anactive research and management program by theDEC since 1992. This has included thepreparation (in 1996) and implementation of anon-statutory interim recovery plan.

The recovery strategy outlined in the 1996 plansought to control a range of threats severelyaffecting the population at that time, establish asecond colony on Boondelbah Island, monitoroverall population size and breeding success andincrease community awareness of the recoveryeffort.

7.2 Establishment of a recoveryteam

A Gould’s Petrel recovery team has beenestablished to advise the Director General of theDEC during the preparation and implementationof this plan. The recovery team has convenedannually since 1997 and includes representativesfrom:

• NSW DEC;• CSIRO; and• Cumberland Bird Observers Club.

7.3 Outcomes of implementinginterim recovery objectives

The specific objectives of the 1996 interimRecovery Plan were to:

1. reduce and control the Pied Currawong andRaven populations on Cabbage Tree Islandto less then 10 individuals;

2. suppress regeneration of the Bird-lime TreePisonia umbellifera within the nestinghabitat of the Gould’s Petrel;

3. eradicate rabbits from Cabbage Tree Islandto facilitate regeneration of the nestinghabitat;

4. enhance and sustain annual breeding successof Gould’s Petrel above 45%;

5. continue annual monitoring of populationsize and breeding success;

6. band all fledglings and monitor recruitment;7. establish a viable colony of Gould’s Petrel

on Boondelbah Island; and8. conduct an education and awareness

campaign within the local area.

The performance of the recovery effort againstthese objectives is discussed below.

7.3.1 Threat reduction (Objectives 1, 2& 3)

Currawongs and Ravens have been culled on theIsland on a yearly basis since 1993 (except in2001/02). Seventeen Gould’s Petrel deaths havebeen attributed to Currawongs and 55 to Ravens(41 of which occurred in 2001/02 when noculling occurred) since culling began in 1993.

All adult Pisonia were removed from breedinghabitat in 1993 and each subsequent yearseedlings are removed. Only one death ofGould’s Petrel entanglement in Pisonia has beendetected since 1993. Fixed vegetation surveyquadrats have also been established across theisland to measure rainforest regeneration andinvasion by weed species.

A program to eradicate rabbits from CabbageTree Island was undertaken in 1997/98. Therabbit eradication program involved the use ofmyxomatosis, the release of rabbit calicivirusand poisoning with Talon® 20P. The programwas preceded by an assessment phase todetermine appropriate control techniques andwas followed by a monitoring program to assesseffectiveness. The rabbit eradication program isfully detailed in Priddel and Carlile (1996b) andPriddel, Carlile and Wheeler (2000). Noevidence of rabbits has been observed on theisland since this program was completed.

7.3.2 Breeding success (Objective 4) The removal of Pisonia from the nesting sitesand the control of avian predators dramaticallyreduced the mortality of Gould’s Petrels onCabbage Tree Island. Instigation of thesemanagement actions was coincident with a 68%rise in the number of pairs brooding eggs in1993 (see figure 7). Further small increases inthe breeding population occurred in subsequentyears. Management of the colony was alsocoincident with a substantial increase inbreeding success (up from 25% to 50% - seefigure 9).

Breeding success peaked at 59% in the 1994-1995 season and has remained at approximately50% in all subsequent years except 1995-1996(see figure 9).

7.3.3 Monitoring (Objectives 5 & 6)Biannual monitoring has occurred on CabbageTree Island from 1992-2005 with the assistanceof volunteers from the Cumberland Bird



Observers Club. The population was monitoredfor:

• number of breeding pairs;• number of eggs and number of subsequent

fledglings; and

• mortality rates.

Data was also collected about pair bonds, age tofirst breeding, nest site fidelity, and individualfecundity. All fledglings detected have beenbanded.

Figure 7: Number of nesting pairs on Cabbage Tree Island 1989 – 2004 (Priddel & Carlileunpublished 2004). (Horizontal line indicates current target).

Figure 8: Number of fledglings on Cabbage Tree Island 1989 – 2004 (Priddel & Carlile 1997;Priddel unpublished). (Horizontal line indicates current target).

0100200300400500600700800900

10001100

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005

Year

Nes

ting

pairs

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

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1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005

Year

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glin

gs



Figure 9: Breeding success on Cabbage Tree Island 1989 – 2004 (Priddel & Carlile 2002; Priddelunpublished). (Horizontal line indicates current target).

7.3.4 Establishment of a second colony

(Objective 7) Using techniques established from prior research(Priddel and Carlile 2001), a translocationprocedure was developed. One hundred Gould’sPetrel chicks were translocated from CabbageTree Island to Boondelbah Island in February1999. They were placed into artificial nest boxesand 95% of the chicks fledged and left the islandin the following months. In March 2000, afurther 100 chicks were translocated and allsuccessfully fledged.

The original objective to translocate 300 chickswas based on the expectation that 40%-60% ofchicks would fail to fledge. This predictedmortality rate was based on comparabletranslocation programs undertaken on otherseabirds. The translocation of 300 fledglings,therefore, was anticipated to produce 120-180fledged young. Given the high survival rate offledglings translocated to date (97.5% Carlile,DEC pers. comm.) it was not necessary totranslocate as many chicks as originallyanticipated. The translocation program issummarised in Appendix 1.

7.3.5 Community education andawareness (Objective 8)

Substantial media interest has been generated bythe recovery effort. Every year, researchers onthe islands invite local and State media to coverthe recovery program. For example, in 1998/99six newspaper articles, six radio interviews andone TV segment featured the Gould’s Petrelrecovery effort whilst more recently, in 2002/03four newspaper articles, one radio interview andthree TV segments featured the Gould’s Petrelrecovery effort.

Since 2000, there has been more local thannational media interest in Gould’s Petrel. As aresult, there has been a huge interest from thelocal community and from local schools. Forexample, in 2003 every school in the local areaundertook a project about Cabbage Tree Islandand an art exhibition about the island was held inOctober 2003.

Information about the Gould’s Petrel has beensupplied to many dolphin and whale watchingtour boats operating in and around PortStephens. This information is known to havebeen used in the guide commentaries providedfor visitors and in various tour publications.

0

10

20

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1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Year

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cces

s (%

)



A species profile for Gould’s Petrel has beenprepared (Appendix 2) and released as part ofthe DEC’s Threatened Species Informationseries. The NSW Foundation for National Parksand Wildlife also contributed to the profile ofthe subspecies through adopting an image of theGould’s Petrel on the DEC annual national parkpasses during 1998/99. The money generated bythe program made a substantial financialcontribution to the recovery program.

8 Management issues 8.1 Introduction The management of the conservation ofthreatened species requires the development of arecovery program which considers (i) thebiological and ecological aspects of the species;(ii) the social, political and organisationalparameters that may affect the success orotherwise of the program; and (iii) the economicfactors which may influence the operation of theprogram’s implementation.

This section identifies the management issuesaffecting Gould’s Petrel including:

• limits of current understanding of the sub-species’ biology and ecology;

• threats and reasons for decline; and• social and economic factors which may

influence the success or otherwise of therecovery plan.

8.2 Understanding of biology andecology

Gould’s Petrel has been the subject ofconsiderable scientific investigation. Over thelast 12 years, scientific study has beenundertaken in concert with the recovery effort(Priddel and Carlile 1995, 1996a, 1996b, 1997,2001; Priddel, Carlile, Davey, & Fullagar 1995). These studies have focused on the breedinghabitat of the subspecies at Cabbage Tree Islandand sought to establish:• the nature and severity of threats acting on

the subspecies during its breeding periodon the island;

• the status of the population over time interms of overall size, number of breedingpairs and breeding success;

• the efficacy or otherwise of variousstrategies to eliminate threats and increase

breeding success. These strategiesincluded the rabbit eradication programand the use of nest boxes; and

• appropriate translocation techniques.

The conservation issues associated with thissubspecies when it returns to land are nowunderstood with a reasonably high degree ofconfidence (see Section 8.3). However, there area number of other issues that should be furtherinvestigated. These include the taxon’s dietarypreferences and the subspecies movements awayfrom the island.

8.3 Threats and reasons fordecline

Previous management actions have halted andreversed the decline of the Gould’s Petrel.Overall, population numbers and breedingsuccess rates have shown an upward trend sincemanagement actions were instigated in 1992.

Rabbit grazing no longer poses a threat toGould’s Petrel habitat following the successfulcompletion of the rabbit eradication program.Current operating threats and potential threatsare detailed below.

8.3.1 Entanglement with Pisonia Together with predation by avian predators,entanglement in the sticky fruits of the Bird-limeTree (Pisonia umbellifera) has been identified asa major cause of adult and nestling mortality.Unmanaged, the rate of mortality of adult Petrelsis high and exceeds recruitment. Loss ofunderstorey vegetation due to rabbit grazing isidentified as a cause of increased mortality ofPetrels because more of the Pisonia’s stickyfruits reach the ground.

Regeneration of ground cover and the lowershrub layer as a result of the rabbit eradicationprogram may eventually render the removal ofPisonia unnecessary as the sticky fruits of thePisonia plant may be caught by the understoreyvegetation and no longer pose a serious risk toPetrels when individuals are on the ground.

In the interim, all adult Pisonia have beenremoved from the breeding habitat of theGould’s Petrel and it is currently necessary toprevent regeneration of Pisonia through theannual removal of seedlings in the breedingareas.

The breeding habitat of the Petrel comprises asmall component (about 2 ha) of the distribution



of Pisonia on the island. More than 100 adultPisonia plants remain on Cabbage Tree Islandand should not be affected by the recoveryprogram. Entanglement in Pisonia fruits shouldnot be an issue for the translocation program asPisonia is not known to occur on BoondelbahIsland.

8.3.2 Predation by avian predators Predation by avian predators is a naturalcomponent of the species’ ecology. However,predation has been intensified by the effects ofrabbit grazing and currently poses a seriousthreat to the subspecies. Grazing degraded thenesting habitat and exposed the Petrels to anincreased risk of predation. Known predators arethe Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) andthe Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina). Otherprobable predators include transient visitors suchas goshawks and owls.

Australian Ravens and Pied Currawongs areresident on the island and are widespread andcommon in Australia. Culling to keep populationnumbers artificially low is consideredappropriate and at times will be undertaken.Other predatory birds such as goshawks andowls are less common and some of thesepotential visitors are listed as Vulnerable on theTSC Act. For this reason, control of owls andgoshawks will not normally involve culling andwill only occur if monitoring reveals predationexceeding 20 adult Petrels in a season. This willbe assessed on a case by case basis andtranslocation from the island would beconsidered in the first instance.

This approach will be adopted in view of theserious risk posed by avian predators to therecovery of the Petrel and the relativeconservation status of these native birds. Controlof avian predators will be undertaken as aninterim measure until the understorey of therainforest regenerates sufficiently to providecover for the Petrels.

8.3.3 Disturbance from jet aircraft The Australian Department of Defence operatesan airforce base at Williamtown, Port Stephens.It has been observed that noise generated by jetaircraft distresses birds and makes them morevulnerable to predation. This occurs as a resultof the birds emitting a stress call in response tothe sudden noise generated by low level flyovers. These calls have the potential to revealthe nest position to predatory birds (Priddel

unpublished). The Department of Defence hasrecognised Cabbage Tree and BoondelbahIslands as a noise sensitive area since 1994 and ano fly-zone, with a ceiling of 2000 feet within 2nautical miles of the islands, is in place.

8.3.4 Potential threats Cabbage Tree Island and Boondelbah Island arewithin 2 km of the mainland and are situatedclose to an area of high recreational use. Thepossibility of the deliberate or accidentalintroduction of mammalian predators such asrats, foxes and cats to the island is a majorpotential threat to the Gould's Petrel. Given thatGould’s Petrels nest on the ground, fire is alsoconsidered a major potential threat as it wouldlikely destroy understorey and other importantelements of the key gully habitat vegetation.Evidence of human presence (ie rubbish) on theIsland is occasionally located and consequentlythere is a risk of direct disturbance to breedinghabitat at key times as well as an increased riskof fire and the introduction of predatory or otherexotic animals.

Cabbage Tree Island is situated close to areasidentified as being suitable for aquaculture. Suchactivities are already underway, on a trial basis,north of Cabbage Tree Island. The operation ofthe aquaculture facility poses minimal threat tothe Gould’s Petrel as they do not forage in areasclose to shore and are unlikely to becomeentangled in the nets that surround the facility.However, the facility will be staffed 24 hours aday and there is the possibility of staff visitingthe island and causing damage to habitat.

Oil spills in the vicinity of the island are notconsidered a threat because the Gould’s Petreldoes not feed in coastal waters however, oceanicoil spills may pose some risk.

8.4 Social and economicconsiderations

8.4.1 Social considerations Social considerations relate to those actions thatseek to discourage public access to CabbageTree Island and Boondelbah Island. As the DECmust manage Cabbage Tree and BoondelbahIslands in accordance with the recovery plan, therecovery plan will effectively prohibit any futureproposals to intensify recreational opportunitieson the islands. However, given the terrain ofCabbage Tree Island and Boondelbah Island andthe difficulties associated with providing secure



public access, it is unlikely that increasingvisitation would ever be a viable option.Consequently, negligible adverse social impactsare anticipated. 8.4.2 Economic considerations Significant resources have already been investedin the recovery of the Gould’s Petrel. Since1989, the DEC has contributed over $540,000 infunding, the Commonwealth Department ofEnvironment and Heritage (first through theEndangered Species Program and then throughthe Natural Heritage Trust) have contributedover $300,000 and the NSW Foundation forNational Parks and Wildlife has contributed over$80,000 to the recovery of this subspecies.

The economic consequences of this recoveryeffort arise from the cost of implementation.Estimates for this implementation are containedat Table 1.

8.4.3 Roles/interest of indigenouspeoples

Aboriginal artefacts have been identified on bothCabbage Tree and Broughton Islands. It isbelieved that indigenous peoples visiting theseislands in the past would most likely haveutilised the eggs and larger older Gould’s Petrelchicks as a resource (S. Brereton, DEC pers.comm.) as well as other fauna species available.

Indigenous communities with an interest in theactions proposed in this recovery plan have notyet been identified. Implementation of recoveryactions under this plan will includeconsideration of the roles and interests ofindigenous communities in the region.

8.4.4 Biodiversity benefits The recovery effort for the Gould’s Petrel hasand will continue to provide importantinformation to other conservation biologistsconcerned with the protection of seabirds. Inparticular, the strategies and techniquesdeveloped during the rabbit eradication programand the translocation program have broaderapplication within Australia and elsewhere.

The program to eradicate rabbits also hasbroader biodiversity benefits for Cabbage TreeIsland. Regeneration of the understorey isalready evident across the island and with timethe floristic structure and diversity should re-establish.

8.5 Translocation The IUCN “Position Statement on Translocationof Living Organisms” (IUCN 1987) definestranslocation as the movement of livingorganisms from one area with free release inanother.

Translocation has been undertaken as a recoverystrategy for the Gould’s Petrel as outlined in the1996 interim recovery plan. In accordance withthe DEC “Policy for the Translocation ofThreatened Fauna in NSW”, a translocationproposal was prepared for the Gould’s Petreltranslocation program (see Appendix 1 forsummary). The objectives, feasibility, methodsand expected impacts on source and hostenvironments and on the parental Petrel colonywere addressed in the proposal.

8.6 Ability to recover8.6.1 Likelihood of extinction The success of the recovery effort, to date, hassubstantially reduced adult and juvenilemortality and increased the number of successfulbreeding pairs (see Figure 7). Overall, numbersof the subspecies, while low, are on the increase.However, until the success or otherwise of thetranslocation program is known, the subspeciesremains highly vulnerable due to its virtual totalreliance on Cabbage Tree Island as the keybreeding site.

8.6.2 Likelihood of recovery ‘Recovery’ is a concept that is dependent on theconservation objective for each taxon. Theoverall objective of ‘recovery’ in relation toGould’s Petrel is to initially remove it from aposition of imminent risk of extinction and thento downlist the subspecies from its currentendangered status to vulnerable by 2011.Recovery is considered feasible due to thefollowing factors:

• Demonstrated ability to control threats.The recovery effort to date hasdemonstrated that it is possible to eithereliminate or ameliorate the threats actingupon the subspecies.

• The subspecies has demonstrated anability to respond when threats arecontrolled with increased breedingsuccess, recruitment and increasedpopulation size.



• Security of habitats. The status ofCabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands asNature Reserves removes the chance thatfuture changes to land-uses will adverselyaffect the subspecies.

• Opportunity to establish a second majorbreeding site via the translocationprogram.

However, Gould’s Petrel is restricted to a verysmall number of breeding sites and is at highrisk of the introduction of pest species and otherhuman induced impacts. Consequently, the sub-species will always remain vulnerable.

The consequences of not implementing theprovisions of this recovery plan are such that theprobability of extinction in nature within thenext 20 years is high. The subspecies willrequire active management for the foreseeablefuture (ie the next five years). Without furtherbiological and ecological research, importantaspects of the taxon’s biology will remainuncertain and not applied to management.

9 Objectives andperformance criteriaThe overall objective of the Gould’s Petrelrecovery effort is for Gould’s Petrel to bedownlisted from endangered to vulnerable by2011.

The specific recovery objectives are:

1. To identify and manage the threatsoperating at sites where the subspeciesoccurs;

2. To establish and maintain a translocatedsecond colony at Boondelbah Island,

3. To raise awareness of the subspecies withthe local community and involvevolunteers in the recovery program;

4. To promote research and continuemonitoring that will assist with themanagement of the subspecies; and

5. To co-ordinate recovery actions through arecovery team and annual reporting onRecovery Plan implementation.

Specific Objective 1: To identify and managethe threats operating at sites where thesubspecies occurs

Continued control of avian predators onCabbage Tree Island and the continuedsuppression of seedlings of the Pisonia plantfrom within the core nesting habitat of theGould's Petrel are essential for the conservationof this subspecies.

Actions

1.1 Pied Currawongs and Australian Ravenswill be controlled by shooting. Cullingis to be undertaken in October whenCurrawongs are brooding nestlings andare most easy to locate and shoot.Currawong nests and nestlings will alsobe destroyed. Annual culling will needto be ongoing or continued until theunderstorey has recovered sufficiently toprovide nesting Petrels with adequateconcealment from avian predators.

1.2 Other avian predators such as Goshawksand Owls will be assessed on a case bycase basis. Action will only be taken tocontrol these species where predation ofadult Petrels exceeds 20 birds. Theremoval of these avian predators mayinvolve translocation to the mainland.

1.3 All mature Pisonia plants have beenremoved from within the nesting habitatof the Gould's Petrel. Annual removal ofseedlings is required. Regeneration ofground cover and the lower shrub layeras a result of the rabbit eradicationprogram will eventually render thisaction unnecessary as the sticky fruits ofthe Pisonia plant will be caught by theunderstorey vegetation and no longerpose a risk to the ground-dwellingPetrel.

Gould’s Petrel’s are prone to disturbance.Unsupervised public access, particularly tobreeding areas, poses a potential threat toGould’s Petrel. It has also been observed thatnoise generated by jet aircraft distresses birdsand makes them more vulnerable to predation.The Australian Department of Defence hasrecognised Cabbage Tree and BoondelbahIslands as a noise sensitive area since 1994.There is a no fly-zone below a ceiling of 2000feet within 2 nautical miles of both islands inplace.

Actions



1.4 The DEC will restrict access to CabbageTree and Boondelbah Islands and accesswill only be permitted for scientific andconservation purposes.

1.5 The DEC will discourage unsupervisedpublic access by way of installation ofadvisory signs on Cabbage Tree andBoondelbah Island and at otherappropriate locations in Port Stephens.The status of Cabbage Tree Island ascritical habitat, its significance to theGould’s Petrel and the penaltiesassociated with harming Gould’s Petreland damaging its habitat will beincluded in the signage.

1.6 The Australian Department of Defencewill instruct personnel to observe the nofly zone over Cabbage Tree andBoondelbah Islands.

Performance criterion 1:

• Pied Currawong and Australian Ravennumbers on Cabbage Tree Island aremaintained at less than 10 individuals.

• Monitoring of mortality caused to Gould’sPetrel by other avian predators reveals thatoverall predation from this cause does notexceed 20 adult Petrels per annum.

• Pisonia is eliminated from the nestinghabitat of the Gould’s Petrel.

• Recreational boat users will be aware of thestatus of Cabbage Tree Island as criticalhabitat for the Gould’s Petrel.

• Visitation to Gould’s Petrel habitat will belimited to scientific and conservationpurposes.

• Australian Department of Defence aircraftwill observe the no fly zone to alleviate anyincreased risk of predation caused by thenoise generated from jet aircraft.

Specific Objective 2: To establish andmaintain a translocated second colony atBoondelbah Island.

The translocation program began with thetranslocation of 100 chicks in March 1999 and afurther 100 chicks in March 2000. A thirdtranslocation of chicks was not required in 2001as recruitment was higher than expected and metthe programs’ objectives. Any future additionaltranslocation will be considered on the basis ofrecruitment to Boondelbah Island.

Actions

2.1 Any future translocated chicks or chicksproduced from recruitment to the islandwill be banded (using the appropriateprotocol).

2.2 The 100 nest boxes currently in place onBoondelbah Island will be maintained infunctional condition and monitored 3times per year (pre-season, egg layingand at fledgling stage).

2.3 Weed control (prickly pear, bitou bushetc.) and native vegetation control willbe undertaken as necessary in the nestbox gully to allow birds to have clearaccess to nest box entrances


• All translocated chicks are banded, nestboxes are maintained and monitored,weeds are controlled and a second viablebreeding colony is established onBoondelbah Island and contributes to anoverall increase in the Gould’s Petrelpopulation.

Specific Objective 3: To raise awareness ofthe subspecies with the local community andinvolve volunteers in the recovery program

The community education program within thelocal area will continue, as will the involvementof volunteers in the recovery effort. Increasedawareness of the Gould's Petrel within the localarea will enhance the community’s sense ofresponsibility to protect the subspecies and itshabitat.

Actions

3.1 Volunteers will continue to be invited toparticipate in the recovery effort.

3.2 Print and electronic media coverage ofthe recovery program at the local,regional, national and international levelwill continue to be promoted.

3.3 Annual invitations will be sent to themedia to view each year’s success of theprogram.

3.4 Dissemination of information about theGould’s Petrel will be included as partthe DEC’s Discovery Program duringregular holiday activities withinTomaree National Park and will bemade available to owners of recreationalboats and to those operating variouscommercial activities such as whale and



dolphin watching tours etc in thevicinity of Cabbage Tree andBoondelbah Islands.

3.5 The Gould’s Petrel threatened speciesinformation profile will be madeavailable as a hard copy and on the DECwebsite and updated as required.


• The broader community is made aware ofthe conservation values of Cabbage Treeand Boondelbah Islands and the Gould’sPetrel recovery effort and communitymembers have the opportunity for hands-on involvement with the recovery effort.

Specific Objective 4: To promote researchand continue monitoring that will assist withthe management of the subspecies.

Continued monitoring of population parametersand breeding success is necessary to assess theeffectiveness of the recovery actions and toinform future recovery actions. Survey methodsfor estimating population size and breedingsuccess are outlined at Appendix 3.

Actions

4.1 Population size and breeding success ofthe colony on Cabbage Tree andBoondelbah Islands will be monitoredannually utilising trained volunteers inaccordance with the survey methodsoutlined at Appendix 3. Techniques aredescribed in Priddel et al. (1995) and allbirds handled will be banded with incoloybands supplied by the Australian Bat andBird Banding Scheme.

4.2 Collection of demographic and life historydata is required to facilitate populationmodelling and to track/monitorrecruitment and recovery. The datacollected will also provide importantinformation regarding age of firstbreeding, the survival of sub-adults,longevity and age-specific mortality.

4.3 Dietary studies and a greaterunderstanding of the Petrel’s movementsaway from the island are needed.Research will be conducted into thesestudies by the DEC as funds becomeavailable.

Performance Criterion 4:

• The success or otherwise of the recoveryactions outlined in this plan is assessedusing population monitoring data.

• Ecological data is available to informfuture management actions.

• Dietary and movement studies undertakenwhen funds are available.

Specific Objective 5: To co-ordinate recoveryactions through a recovery team and annualreporting on Recovery Plan implementation.

Overall, co-ordination of the recovery effort isrequired to ensure the implementation of therecovery plan. This includes the annualconvening of a recovery team and annualreporting on implementation.

Actions

5.1 The DEC will convene a recovery teammeeting at least once a year.Representatives of a communityconservation group and an independentscientific expert will be invited to be onthe recovery team.

5.2 The DEC will provide a written reporton the outcomes of the previous yearsimplementation to the recovery team.This will include the results of theyearly monitoring program. This reportwill be made available to the public onrequest.


• DEC performance in relation to theimplementation of the recovery plan will bedocumented and communicated to interestedparties.

10 ImplementationThe total cost to implement this plan is estimatedto be $203,500 over 5 years comprisingrecurrent and external funds. This amount doesnot include the preparation of any plans ofmanagement for the islands. Table 1 details thecost and identifies the parties responsible for theimplementation of specific recovery actions.

11 Preparation detailsThis recovery plan was prepared by JulieRavallion, Ross Wellington and Tania Duratovicof the Biodiversity Conservation Section,Metropolitan Branch, based on the workundertaken by David Priddel and NicholasCarlile, Biodiversity Conservation ScienceSection, Policy and Science Division and in



consultation with the Gould’s Petrel RecoveryTeam.

12 Review dateThis recovery plan will be reviewed after 5 yearsof the date of publication. It will be reviewed bythe DEC in consultation with the RecoveryTeam. At a minimum, membership on theRecovery Team will include a representativefrom a community conservation group and anindependent scientific expert.

13 ContactsThe Threatened Species Recovery Team for theGould’s Petrel is coordinated by the ThreatenedFauna Ecology Unit, Biodiversity ConservationScience Section, Policy and Science Division,Department of Environment and Conservation,PO Box 1967, Hurstville, NSW 2220.Telephone (02) 9585 6554.

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14 ReferencesCabot, J., Carboneras, C., Elliott, A., Folch, A.,

del Hoyo, J., de Juana, E., Llimona, F.,Martínez, I., Martínez-Vilalta, A.,Matheu, E., Motis, A. and Orta, J.(1998) Handbook of the Birds of theWorld. Vol. 1 Ostrich to Ducks LynxEdicions, Barcelona.

Clarke, T., Reading, R. and Clarke, A. (1996)Conservation biology in Theory andPractice. Blackwell Science, Cambridge.

Davey, C. (1990) A report on the numbers anddistribution of Gould’s PetrelPterodroma leucoptera breeding on theJohn Gould Nature Reserve, New SouthWales. Report prepared for NSWNational Parks and Wildlife Service.CSIRO Division of Wildlife andEcology, Canberra. Pp. 1-19.

D’Ombrain, A.F. (1943) The Cabbage TreeIsland colony in the 1941-42 season.Emu 42: 156-159.

Environment Australia (1999) Threat AbatementPlan for Competition and LandDegradation by Feral RabbitsBiodiversity Group, EnvironmentAustralia.

Fullagar, P.J. (1976) Seabird islands No. 35:Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales,Australian Bird Bander 14: 94-7.

Gould, J. (1844) Procellaria leucoptera. Annalsand Magazine of Natural History 13:364.

IUCN (1987) Position Statement onTranslocation of Living Organisms.Introductions, re-introductions and re-stocking. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

IUCN (1994) IUCN red list categories: asapproved by the 40th meeting of theIUCN Council. IUCN, Gland,Switzerland.

Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J., (1990)Handbook of Australian, New Zealandand Antarctic Birds, Vol. 1A. OxfordUniversity Press, Melbourne.

Naurois de, R. (1978) Procellariidaereproductions en Nouvelle-Caledoniependant l'ete austral . Comptes RendusHebdomadaires des Seances del'Academie des Sciences Serie DSciences Naturelles 287: 269-71.

Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1995) Mortality ofadult Gould's Petrels Pterodromaleucoptera leucoptera at the nesting siteon Cabbage Tree Island, New SouthWales. Emu 95: 259-64.

Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1996a) BoondelbahIsland confirmed as a second breedinglocality for Gould's Petrel Pterodromaleucoptera leucoptera. Emu 97: 245-248.

Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1996b) Eradicationof rabbits from Cabbage Tree Islandusing Rabbit Calicivirus Disease as theprime mortality agent. Action Plan.NSW National Parks and WildlifeService, Hurstville.

Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1996c) RecoveryPlan for Gould’s Petrel (Pterodromaleucoptera). Report prepared by theNSW National Parks and WildlifeService for the Australian NatureConservation Agency.

Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1997) Conservationof the endangered Gould's PetrelPterodroma leucoptera leucoptera.Pacific Conservation Biology 3: 322-29.

Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (2001) A trialtranslocation of Gould’s Petrel(Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera).Emu 10: 79-88.

Priddel, D., Carlile, N., Davey, C. and Fullagar,P. J. (1995) The status of Gould's Petrel,Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera, onCabbage Tree Island, New South Wales.Wildlife Research 22: 601-10.

Priddel, D., Carlile, N. and Wheeler R. (2000)Rehabilitation of the breeding groundsof the Gould’s petrel Pterodromaleucoptera leucoptera by eradication ofthe European rabbit Oryctolaguscuniculus from Cabbage Tree Island,New South Wales Australia. BiologicalConservation 94: 115-125.



Sparrow, R. D. & and Wight, H. M. (1975)Setting priorities for the EndangeredSpecies Program. Fortieth NorthAmerican Wildlife Conference, pp 143-156.

Stattersfield, A.J. and Capper, D.R (Editors)(2000) Threatened birds of the world:the official source for birds on the IUCNRed List. Birdlife International,Cambridge: Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995Scientific Committee (30/1/98) FinalDetermination to list the Gould’s Petrelas an endangered species on Schedule 1of the Threatened Species ConservationAct 1995. Scientific Committee,Hurstville, NSW.

Werren, G.L. and Clough, A.R., (1991) Effect ofrabbit browsing on littoral rainforest,Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales-with special reference to the status of theGould’s Petrel. Pp. 257-77 in TheRainforest Legacy: Australian NationalRainforests Study, Vol 2-Flora andFauna of the Rainforests edited by G.Werren and P. Kershaw. AustralianGovernment Publishing Service,Canberra.


Appendices

Appendix 1: Translocation program - summary

Appendix 2: Gould’s Petrel Species Information Profile

Appendix 3: Survey methods for estimating population size and breeding success

Appendix 4: Summary of Scientific Committee advice on the recovery plan


Appendix 1: Translocation program (Summary)1 Introduction

In accordance with the DEC’s policy for the Translocation of Threatened Fauna in NSW (July 2001)requiring persons undertaking a translocation program to prepare a translocation proposal, a proposalwas prepared and adopted in 1999. This document provides a summary of the translocation program.

2 Objectives and justification for the proposal

The objective of the translocation is to establish a viable Gould’s Petrel population on BoondelbahIsland, off the coast of Port Stephens, NSW. Viable in the context of this translocation effort meansthat translocated chicks fledge, depart the island, return, and successfully breed at BoondelbahIsland. Given that the earliest known age of first breeding is 4-5 years and that Petrel pairs may takeseveral seasons to successfully breed, (N. Carlile, DEC pers comm.), it is unlikely that viability willbe established before 2010.

Translocation was adopted as a conservation strategy for Gould’s Petrel for the following reasons:

• the innate vulnerability of the species’ chief breeding site on Cabbage Tree Island and thepotential for a catastrophic event decimating the entire population;

• sufficient information on key lifecycle characteristics is available to inform the translocationprogram;

• sufficient information is available from other translocation programs of seabirds to suggest thattranslocation is a feasible conservation strategy for this species;

• opportunity is available to undertake translocation within the context of a broader research andrecovery program for the species;

• suitable potential translocation site is available (ie Boondelbah Island). This Island wasconsidered suitable in both ecological terms (eg, suitability of habitat, absence of threateningprocesses) and in terms of habitat security (Boondelbah Island is a Nature Reserve under theNPW Act); and

• opportunity is available to contribute to the wider body of scientific literature on the translocationof threatened seabirds.

The conservation benefits of translocating Gould’s Petrel include:

• Expanding breeding area of this species and thus reducing the likelihood of extinction;• Developing expertise and experience with the translocation of this species. This also has spin-off

benefits for the conservation of other endangered seabirds.

The conservation problem that may arise from the translocation of Gould’s Petrel is the death oftranslocated individuals due to unforeseen factors and the consequent effect on the overall size of thepopulation and recruitment rate.

3 Natural history and ecology of the species

Please refer to Recovery Plan for details of the species, taxonomy, status and distribution, ecologicalrequirements, and threatening processes.

4 Composition of transfer population

One hundred chicks were transferred each year from Cabbage Tree Island to Boondelbah Island overa 2 year period commencing 1999. (Originally a third translocation of chicks was planned for 2001but this was not needed due to recruitment being higher than expected). Sex cannot be determined inthe field for individuals of this age. Based on 1998/99 population numbers, 100 chicks represents


28% of the population on Cabbage Tree Island. The reproductive output of the species on CabbageTree Island will be diminished in the short term.

No other species are expected to be affected by the transfer of individuals.

Chicks were collected in March and transferred by boat to Boondelbah Island. Chicks weretransferred at 3 weeks prior to fledging to facilitate imprinting.

5 Host environment

At the time, Boondelbah Island supported a small breeding population of Gould’s Petrel. The mostsuitable habitat is located at North Ravine. Nest boxes were installed to provide appropriate nestinghabitat. The nest boxes are made from polyethylene and are 500 * 250 * 230 mm in size.

Holding capacity of the Island will be dependant on the number and maintenance of nest boxes andthe availability for natural breeding cavities. There are no foreseeable impacts on any plants oranimals on Boondelbah Island. No disease risks are anticipated.

6 Monitoring requirements

All chicks translocated were banded to allow for future assessment regarding site fidelity and futurebreeding success.

7 Threat abatement

Yearly maintenance of the nest boxes is being undertaken. Natural regeneration of understoreyvegetation and weeds may block entrance tunnels and may have to be controlled in the future as aroutine maintenance procedure.

8 Resources

DEC research staff and volunteers undertook the translocation of chicks, and will be required toundertake the yearly monitoring and maintenance. Financial commitment for the program is outlinedin Table 1 of the recovery plan.

9 Community Resources

The translocation program offers an opportunity for hands-on community involvement with arecovery program. Members of the Cumberland Bird Observers Club and Birds Australia,Threatened Bird Network will continue to be involved in and committed to the project. Thetranslocation program will also figure prominently in the community awareness component of therecovery plan.


Appendix 2: Gould’s Petrel Species Information ProfileTHREATENED SPECIES INFORMATION

Gould’s Petrel(Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera)Conservation StatusGould’s Petrel is listed as an endangered species onSchedule 1 of the Threatened Species ConservationAct 1995 (NSW). The species is also listed as anationally endangered species under the EnvironmentProtection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

DescriptionGould's Petrel is a member of the gadfly group ofPetrels. All members of the group are pelagic, soarerratically on narrow wings, and feed on surface fish,small squid and krill. Gould's Petrel is one of threesubspecies of Pterodroma leucoptera. The two othersubspecies, P. leucoptera brevipes and P. leucopteracaledonensis, occur in Fiji and New Caledoniarespectively (Naurois de 1978; Marchant andHiggins, 1990). Like Gould's Petrel, both are rare andhave restricted breeding sites (Stattersfield andCapper, 2000).

Gould's Petrel has a body length of 30 cm, awingspan of 75 cm and weight of approximately180g. The upper surface of their long narrow wingshas a distinctive ‘M’ pattern. This, together with adarker head, distinguishes them from otherPterodroma of similar size. The underside of thebody and wings are white with a dark edge to thewing, which terminates in a diagonal bar from thewrist joint inwards. Sexes appear identical andimmature birds fledge in adult plumage.

DistributionGould's Petrel breed primarily on Cabbage TreeIsland, offshore from the entrance to Port Stephens,New South Wales. This 30 ha island was thought tobe the sole breeding locality for this species, but afew nesting birds have been discovered on nearbyBoondelbah Island (Priddel and Carlile 1996a). Thenon-breeding range and feeding areas of the Gould'sPetrel are unknown, but it appears that the speciesforages predominantly within the Tasman Sea.

Recorded occurrences inconservation reservesBoth Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands aredeclared Nature Reserves under the National Parksand Wildlife Act 1979 and are under care, control andmanagement of the DEC.

Adult Gould’s Petrel. Photo N. Carlile, DEC

HabitatNesting habitat is concentrated in two steep gullieson the western side of the island. The gullies arecharacterised by steep rock-scree slopes with acanopy of Cabbage Tree Palms (Livistona australis)and several species of figs. Fallen palm frondsprovide protection from the weather and concealmentfrom avian predators.

BehaviourThe first arrival of Gould's Petrel on Cabbage TreeIsland occurs from mid to late September. The birdsarrive and depart the island under the cover ofdarkness. Egg laying takes place over a six-weekperiod commencing in early November. Gould'sPetrels lay a single egg, and if lost the egg is notreplaced. Incubation takes 49 days to complete, andusually involves incubation shifts of around 16 - 17days duration.

The young remain in the nest for about 13 weeks,during which time they can achieve weights ofaround 150% of their parents. Fledglings depart theisland from late March to early May. Gould’s Petrelare monogamous and pair bonds appear to belongstanding.

ThreatsThe introduction of rabbits to Cabbage Tree Islandseverely degraded the nesting habitat of the Gould's

NSWNATIONALPARKS ANDWILDLIFESERVICE

Approved Recovery Plan Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera)Petrel, removing the understorey, and increasing therisk from avian predators. Rabbit grazing alsoprevents regeneration of the rainforest canopy andallows invasion by exotic plant species.

Entanglement in the sticky fruits of the Bird-limeTree (Pisonia umbellifera) and predation by PiedCurrawongs (Strepera graculina) and AustralianRavens (Corvus coronoides) have been the majorcauses of adult and nestling mortality on CabbageTree Island (Priddel and Carlile 1995).

Cabbage Tree Island is situated close to an area ofhigh recreational use. The possibility of the deliberateor accidental introduction of mammalian predators orfire to the island is a major potential threat to theGould's Petrel.

Recovery programThe Gould’s Petrel has been the subject of an activeresearch and recovery program since 1989. Themajority of the population has been banded andstudies undertaken to determine population size,breeding success and lifecycle characteristics.

Rabbits have been totally eliminated from CabbageTree Island following an extensive eradicationprogram by the DEC (Priddel and Carlile 1996b).The Birdlime Tree has been eliminated from thepetrel’s breeding habitat and avian predators havebeen controlled.

Recently the DEC sought to establish a secondbreeding colony for Gould’s Petrel on nearbyBoondelbah Island. Nest boxes have been installedand chicks transferred. This work is continuing and,if successful, will extend the breeding habitat for thepetrel.

A recovery plan has been prepared for Gould’s Petreland is available from the DEC.

Critical habitatThe draft Gould’s Petrel Recovery Planrecommended that Cabbage Tree Island be declaredas critical habitat under the TSC Act. This has beendeclared in conjunction with the adoption of therecovery plan.

For further informationBiodiversity Conservation Section, Metro, Dept. of Conservation & Environment, PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW2220 Phone 02 9585 6678 http://www.DEC.nsw.gov.au

Acknowledgments

The contributions made by the Commonwealth Government through the Natural Heritage Trust and themany volunteers who have helped with the recovery effort are gratefully acknowledged.

Further readingFullagar, P. J. (1976). Seabird islands No. 35: Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales. Australian Bird Bander 14:

94-7.Gould, J. (1844). Procellaria leucoptera. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 13: 364.Marchant, S. and Higgins, P. J. (1990). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Vol. 1. (Oxford

University Press: Melbourne.)Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1995). Mortality of adult Gould's Petrels Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera at the

nesting site on Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales. Emu 95: 259-64.Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1996a). Eradication of rabbits from Cabbage Tree Island using Rabbit Calicivirus

Disease as the prime mortality agent. Action Plan. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1996b). Boondelbah Island confirmed as a second breeding locality for Gould's Petrel

Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera. Emu 97: 245-248Priddel, D. and Carlile, N. (1997). Conservation of the endangered Gould's Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera

leucoptera. Pacific Conservation Biology 3: 322-329Priddel, D., Carlile, N., Davey, C. and Fullagar, P. J. (1995). The status of Gould's Petrel, Pterodroma leucoptera

leucoptera, on Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales. Wildlife Research 22: 601-10.Stattersfield, A.J. and Capper, D.R (Editors) (2000) Threatened birds of the world: the official source for birds on

the IUCN Red List. Birdlife International, Cambridge: Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERThe DEC and the editor expressly disclaim all liability and responsibility to any person, whether a purchaser or reader of this document or not,in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any person in reliance upon the contents of this document although every effort has beenmade to ensure that the information presented in this document is accurate and up to date.


Appendix 3: Survey methods for estimating population size andbreeding success of Gould's Petrels on Cabbage Tree Island, NewSouth WalesNumber of breeding pairs

Procedure and timing

The number of breeding pairs is estimated from the number of birds found sitting on eggs duringweek 50.

Setting out transects

Transects are laid at 10 metre intervals across the slope of each of the two gullies on the island(South Gully and North Gully). The starting point of the first transect is at the lowest point of thepermanently surveyed grid system (marked E00N00 in the South Gully and E500 N00 in theNorth Gully) and runs uphill from this point.

Each transect runs on a compass bearing, 160º/340º for the North Gully and 168º/348º for theSouth Gully. A 100m fibreglass tape laid across the ground and two metres each side of the tapeis systematically searched for nesting petrels. The current nest markers provide a good guide tothe extent of nesting habitat.

Searching for nests

Searching is labour intensive and involves every potential cavity being searched, often madeeasier with the aid of a torch. Any dead palm fronds must be lifted out of the way to ensure thatall the transect area is inspected. Marked nest sites that fall within the transect should beinspected and any occupants included in the tally.

Handling birds

Each bird found is inspected to determine if it is sitting on an egg. If the sitting bird is banded thenumber is noted. An appropriately qualified and licensed person is needed to band any unbandedbirds. For every nest encountered, a separate line on the data sheet needs to be filled in.

On land, these birds are nocturnal. A distressed petrel may attempt to take flight if they aredisturbed from their nesting cavity during the day. When replacing a bird into its nest cavity, thecareful placement of a palm frond or two over the nest entrance will reduce the amount of lightin the nest and help the bird to settle.


Data Sheet for Gould’s Petrel Transects – Week 50.

Date GullyN/S

TransectNumber.

Distancefrom 0.0

NestNo.

BirdY/N

Egg Y/N Comments (New nest locationsand banding details)


Appendix 4: Summary of advice provided by the ScientificCommittee on the recovery plan.Under section 66A a recovery plan approved by the Minister must include a summary of anyadvice given by the Scientific Committee with respect to the plan, details of any amendmentsmade to the plan to take account of that advice and a statement of the reasons for any departurefrom that advice.

Advice/comment was provided by the Scientific Committee with respect to:

Comment: Reservation was expressed regarding the need to continue with Pisonia umbelliferacontrol.

Whilst Petrel entanglement with the sticky fruits of Pisonia is part of the natural ecology of theisland this process has been exacerbated by the removal of rainforest understorey by rabbits. Thelack of understorey allowed the fruits to fall directly on the ground where ground nesting adultsand offspring become entangled. The Recovery Plan only intends that Pisonia seedlings beremoved until the understorey regenerates following rabbit eradication and are only to beremoved from the Gould’s Petrel breeding area. Over 100 Pisonia plants remain on CabbageTree Island outside the breeding area and are not targeted for removal.

The plan has been amended to clarify this point and allay any concern over loss of Pisonia plantsfrom the island.

Comment: Reservation was expressed regarding the culling of avian predators some of whichhave the potential to be vagrant individuals of threatened owl or goshawk species.

Given the size of the Gould’s Petrel population culling of owls or goshawks would not beconsidered until predation exceeded 20 adult individuals. Greater losses than this on an ongoingbasis are considered to have the potential to compromise the recovery of the Petrel.

The plan has been amended to indicate that any proposal to cull owls or goshawks would beassessed on a case by case basis and that translocation from the island would be considered as analternative. The regeneration of understorey vegetation on the island since rabbits wereeliminated means that the need to cull these avian predators is unlikely.

Comment: Comment was made questioning the advisability of continuing to promote amongsttour operators the presence of Gould’s Petrel on the island as it was considered this might havethe potential to increase undesirable visitation rates. It was particularly mentioned in relation tocommercial tour operators and the aquaculture industry. The greatest risk to the Gould’s Petrel ispeople and the possibility of the introduction of exotic species.

The solution to this issue is problematic. Two approaches are possible one being to keep theGould’s Petrel a low key matter with the risk of inadvertent impacts by people visiting the islandor the alternative of raising awareness of what the issues are and how vitally important the islandis to the survival of this species. The latter approach is that taken in the recovery plan becauseaccess to the island is very difficult and opportunistic visitation is unlikely. The presence of theGould’s Petrel on Cabbage Tree Island has already been promoted by tour operators for someyears. Furthermore, the declaration of the island as critical habitat will be sign posted and thisshould strengthen community awareness of the values of the island and the factors that couldthreaten it.

The other comments provided relate to editorial or clarification matters and these have beenaddressed in the final plan.

43 Bridge StreetHurstville 2220www.npws.nsw.gov.au

Department ofEnvironment andConservation (NSW)

Documents

Goulds Petrel Recovery Plan - Office of Environment and Heritage · 2016-06-15 · Approved Recovery Plan Gould’s Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera) Acknowledgments In October