New Zealand albatross and petrel research and monitoring priorities workshop National Museum of New Zealand- Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington 11 August 2012 By Kerry-Jayne Wilson 1 & John Croxall 2 1 P.O. Box 70, Charleston 7865, West Coast, New Zealand. 2 Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK Outline Introduction and background Introduction Aims Participants (Annex 1) Source material Recommendations and conclusions 1. Taxonomic matters 2. ACAP species breeding in New Zealand 2.1 Land-based issues; population status, trends, monitoring, demography. 2.2 Distribution at sea (Tracking) 2.3 At-sea issues (Bycatch) 3. Non-ACAP species 3.1Conservation Services Programme 3.2 Recreational fishing impacts 3.3 Regional surveys 3.4 Burrow breeding petrel surveys 3.5 Eradication of mammals from islands 3.6 Translocation of petrels 3.7 Fisheries and non-ACAP species 3.8 Climate and sea temperature change 4. Outreach, engagement and capacity building 4.1 Albatross and petrel symposium 4.2 Community groups 5. Other issues
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New Zealand albatross and petrel research and monitoring priorities
workshop
National Museum of New Zealand- Te Papa Tongarewa,
Wellington
11 August 2012
By
Kerry-Jayne Wilson1 & John Croxall2
1 P.O. Box 70, Charleston 7865, West Coast, New Zealand. 2 Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK
Outline
Introduction and background
Introduction
Aims
Participants (Annex 1)
Source material
Recommendations and conclusions
1. Taxonomic matters
2. ACAP species breeding in New Zealand
2.1 Land-based issues; population status, trends, monitoring, demography.
5. Rowe, S. and Taylor, G. 2006. New Zealand Seabird Priorities 2006 – 2011. Department of
Conservation, Wellington.
6. Croxall et al. 2012. Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. Bird Conservation International 22 (1) 1-34. 7. New Zealand Albatross and petrel priorities workshop, powerpoint document prepared to
summarise background information and focus discussion (Annex 3)
A number of taxonomic issues had been raised prior to the workshop by Alan Tennyson with
subsequent comment on these by Paul Scofield and John Croxall. These issues and comments are
shown in slides 3-5 of Annex 3.
The priorities determined by the workshop (within each section species are listed in priority order)
are to investigate the:
1. Status of New Zealand taxa that are potentially cryptic endemic species; these are: a) Kermadec
Storm Petrel, b) the Codfish Island population of South Georgian Diving Petrel; c) southern and
northern populations of Cook’s Petrel (in progress, with translocations maintaining separation of the
two populations); d) Grey-faced Petrel (in progress, NZ and Australian taxa probably different).
2. Status of New Zealand taxa that are potentially cryptic endemic or near-endemic species in taxon
complexes where New Zealand would have a logical lead role: a) White-bellied Storm Petrels in
South Pacific, b) the Fulmar/Fairy Prion complex (genetic analysis begun, more samples required); c)
Little Shearwater complex in the South Pacific; d) White-faced Storm Petrels complex; e) Cape Petrel
complex.
3. Taxa where New Zealand material is highly relevant to any global/regional review: a) White-
capped Albatross, (different fishing threats to NZ and Australian taxa but treated as a single entity
for bycatch analysis); b) Pterodroma petrels; c) Common Diving Petrel complex; d) Wedge-tailed
Shearwater.
4. The New Zealand population of White-chinned Petrel (for which the name Procellaria
aequinoctialis steadi is available) has been shown to differ from other White-chinned Petrels
genetically but unpublished morphological data are not entirely in accord with this and it was not
given separate taxonomic ranking by the OSNZ checklist committee. Given the threat bycatch poses
to White-chinned Petrels there is urgent need to review the taxonomy of the New Zealand
populations.
A request was made that BirdLife International circulate the New Zealand seabird community,
initially via the workshop attendees, with the annual list of seabird taxa whose status is to be
investigated by BirdLife’s Taxonomic Working Group, in order that appropriate materials and
comments may be contributed to their assessment. Greater interaction between Birdlife and New
Zealand researchers on status and taxonomic matters would be mutually beneficial.
2 ACAP species breeding in New Zealand
New Zealand has ninety-two populations of 16 ACAP species, 10 of which are endemic. This is
more than any other jurisdiction yet New Zealand’s contribution to the conservation,
management and research of ACAP species fails to reflect the importance of the New Zealand
region to these threatened species. Indeed New Zealand’s contribution to research on these and
other seabirds is significantly less than that of many other ACAP signatories.
Table 1. Species/island group combinations that comprise at least 5% of global populations for
which there have been no monitoring in the last 20 and 10 years, New Zealand populations in
bold.2
Species/Island Groups (>5% global population) no population data in last 20 years (1991-2010)
Light-mantled Albatross (Kerguelen/40.2%/1987)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Crozet/17.9%/1984)
Northern Giant Petrel (Kerguelen/14.9%/1987)
White-chinned Petrel (Auckland I./9.4%/1988)
Grey-headed Albatross (Kerguelen/8.4%/1985)
Grey-headed Albatross (Crozet/6.3%/1982)
Species/Island Groups (>5% global population) no population data in last 10 years (2001-2010)
All six populations above plus:
Campbell Albatross (Campbell/100%/1998)
Light-mantled Albatross (Campbell/16.7%/1996)
Grey-headed Albatross (Campbell/6.7%/1997)
2 Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels,Sixth Meeting of Advisory Committee, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 29 August – 2 September 201, Report of the Breeding Sites Working Group and Status and Trends Working Group – Joint BSWG4/STWG6.
Table 2. Level of knowledge of current (2001-2010) population trend data (at island group level), New Zealand breeding species in bold3
Species with VERY HIGH level trend data (75-100% island groups)
3Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Sixth Meeting of Advisory Committee, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 29 August – 2 September 201, Report of the Breeding Sites Working Group and Status and Trends Working Group – Joint BSWG4/STWG6.
2.1. Land-based issues
2.1.1 Population status
Of the priorities for New Zealand summarised by the joint meeting of the ACAP Working Groups on
Breeding Sites and Status and Trends at the sixth meeting (AC6) of the ACAP Advisory Committee in
2011 as shown in Table 1.
1) The size of the breeding populations of Campbell and Grey-headed Albatrosses at Campbell Island
are to be estimated in 2012/13 through the Conservation Services Programme (CSP) (project POP
2012-04).
2) There is no known intention to obtain new estimates of the population of Light-mantled Sooty
Albatross at Campbell Island (previous estimate in 1996) or White-chinned Petrel at Auckland Islands
(the only previous estimate made in 1988 was not of high accuracy).
Population status recommendations
1) If feasible, include estimating Light-mantled Sooty Albatross populations at Campbell Island within
the ongoing CSP project there.
2) If /when pig and cat eradication proceeds at the Auckland Islands, undertake an estimation of the
White-chinned Petrel populations there, ideally both before and after pest eradication.
2.1.2 Population trends
The priorities for New Zealand breeding species as summarised by the joint meeting of the ACAP
Working Groups on Breeding Sites and Status and Trends at AC6 in 2011 are shown in Table 2.
In respect of species characterised as of unknown trend:
1) Acquisition and analysis of Salvin’s Albatross data will be addressed by Conservation Services
Programme project POP 2012-06.
2) Acquisition and analysis of White-capped Albatross data is addressed by Conservation Services
Programme project POP 2012-05 and trend data will soon be available (B. Baker).
3) Data for the following species are known to be available: (i)Southern Royal Albatross (ii) Southern
Buller’s Albatross (Paul Sagar, NIWA); (iii) Chatham Albatross and Northern Royal Albatross at
Of the priorities for New Zealand breeding species summarised by the joint meeting of the ACAP
Working Groups on Breeding Sites and Status and Trends at AC6 in 2011 (Table 3):
1) For Southern Buller’s Albatross, Chatham Albatross and to a lesser extent Westland Petrel,
juvenile survival data are available: the main remaining gaps would appear to be for Salvin’s,
Southern Royal, Northern Bullers and White-capped Albatrosses.
2) There are productivity data for Chatham Albatross, but not for Salvin’s Albatross.
3) For Salvin’s Albatross there are adult survival data for the Snares Western Chain but not for the
Bounty Islands.
Demography recommendations
1) Existing data should be transmitted to ACAP forthwith; the remaining data gaps should be filled as
opportunity allows.
2) There are no demographic data for Salvin’s Albatross at the Bounty Islands where the bulk of the
population breeds. This species would appear to be the least known of the albatross species.
3) While the Southern Buller’s albatross is reasonably well studied there are few data available for
the northern sub-species.
4) Paul Sagar has unpublished adult survival data from Antipodes Island.
2.2. Distribution at sea
The interim priorities for New Zealand species identified by ACAP on the basis of a preliminary
assessment by the joint meeting of the ACAP Working Groups on Breeding Sites and Status and
4 Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels,Sixth Meeting of Advisory Committee, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 29 August – 2 September 201, Report of the Breeding Sites Working Group and Status and Trends Working Group – Joint BSWG4/STWG6.
Trends at AC6 in 2011 were Campbell and Grey-headed Albatross at Campbell Island, Salvin’s
Albatross at the Bounty islands and White-chinned Petrel at the Antipodes Islands. In respect of
these:
1) Data for Salvin’s Albatross are to be collected by Conservation Services Programme project POP
2012-06
2) A multi-year study of at sea distribution of Campbell Black-browed and Grey-headed Albatross at
Campbell Island began in 2008 (Paul Sagar/David Thompson, NIWA)
3) There are no plans to track White-chinned Petrels from the Auckland or Antipodes Islands.
Of other priorities suggested in advance of the workshop, mainly relating to data that would
improve knowledge of overlap and potential interaction with fisheries, it was noted that:
1) More data would be acquired for Black Petrel by Conservation Services Programme project POP
2012-03.
2) Further studies on at-sea distribution of Westland Petrel and White-chinned Petrels at Antipodes
Island are underway.
3) There are no plans to track Black-browed Albatross in the New Zealand region although it would
be feasible to track Campbell Island breeding birds.
4) Giant Petrels were relatively low priority worldwide for new tracking studies.
Distribution at sea recommendations
1) Implement tracking studies of White-chinned Petrels at Auckland Islands. This reflects the
importance of the New Zealand populations, and their potential overlap with several fisheries liable
to cause substantial bycatch of this species.
2) Acquire sample tracking data from the Antipodes Island Black-browed Albatross population while
undertaking tracking studies on White-chinned Petrels.
Table 4 ACAP provisional at-sea conservation priorities for New Zealand ACAP species (taken from
ACAP MoP4 Doc 17 Annex 2 (April 2012))
Species population Fisheries (pelagic longline unless otherwise indicated)
Southern diving petrel P. urinatrix chathamensis RL
Subantarctic diving petrel P. urinatrix exsul S NT
South Georgian diving petrel P.georgicus NC
E Endemic to the New Zealand region.
K Breeds on the Kermadec Islands but not on the New Zealand mainland.
C Endemic to the Chatham Islands.
S Breeds on the Snares, Auckland, Campbell, Bounty or Antipodes Islands but not the New
Zealand mainland.
NC Nationally critical (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
NE Nationally endangered (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
NV Nationally vulnerable (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
DD Data deficient (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
D Declining (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
R Recovering (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
RL Relic (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
UC Naturally uncommon (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
NT Not threatened (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
C Coloniser (Miskelly et al 2008 threat ranking)
Miskelly, C.M. et al 2008. Conservation status of New Zealand birds, 2008. Notornis 55; 117-135.
Annex 3. New Zealand Albatross and petrel
priorities workshop
12 August 2012
Te Papa, Wellington
Provisional Structure
• Taxonomic issues • Taxonomy followed today is from Gill et al 2010 , differs from ACAP and Birdlife
• ACAP species, review & suggested priorities
• Non-ACAP species review & suggested priorities
• Workshop findings, Priorities for research, monitoring, management Finish 4.30, buses to Zealandia leave Te Papa museum 4.45 and 5.15.
These are taxonomic issues that AT considers unresolved, debated or poorly explored: 1) Is the NZ white-capped albatross a different species to the Tasmanian albatross? NO (SCO) 2) Is the Snares cape petrel truly separable from the nominate form? YES FROM A FIELD ID POINT OF VIEW BUT GENETICALLY ? MEDIUM to LOW PRORITY. (SCO) 3) Is the grey-faced petrel a separate species to the great-winged petrel? PAPER SUBMITTED BY 30 SEP 2012 (Lawrence et al) (SCO) 4) Is the Codfish Cook's petrel population a different taxon to the northern birds? PAPER WILL BE PRESENTED AT ICAP (Stevens et al) (SCO) 5) Fulmar/fairy prion complex - how many taxa are there? GOOD QUESTION BUT AS A PRIORITY FOR CONSERVATION (APART FROM MCGILLIVRAYS) VERY LOW (SCO)
Taxonomic issues (Tennyson)
Taxonomy continued
• 6) Is the NZ white-chinned petrel a different taxon to other populations? A PRIORITY FOR CONSERVATION GIVEN BYCATCH (SCO)
• 7) Wedge-tailed shearwater complex - how many taxa are there? PRIORITY FOR CONSERVATION VERY LOW UNLESS BULELRS IS NOT A GOOD SPECIES!! (SCO)
• 8) Little shearwater complex - how many taxa are there? AUSTIN ALREADY PUBLISHED. (SCO)
• 9) White-faced storm petrel complex - how many taxa are there? GOOD QUESTION AND 3 TAXA ARE A PRIORITY FOR CONSERVATION (SCO)
• 10) White-bellied storm petrel complex - how many taxa are there? THE NUMBER 1 PRIORITY FOR CONSERVATION AS RAPA WBSP IS GOING TO BECOME EXTINCT DUE TO NOBODY GIVING A DAMN! (SCO)
• 11) Common diving petrel complex - how many taxa are there? REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED BY 30 DEC 2012 (Robertson et al) (SCO)
• 12) South Georgian diving petrel • NO 1 priority for seabird taxonomy is agreement on a UNIFORM taxonomic
• John to provide summary of fiheries/petrel issues
• Blackbrows, Chatham, N Royal, Salvins
ACAP priorities
• Tell ACAP Nzreps what has been done, poor conduit between workers and reps. Info not getting to ACAP. Need to get sitebased work to Igor, Graeme T to act as conduit to Igor Rosie & Richard
• Mismatch between NZ/DoC, ACAP and Birdlife in knowledge available
Non-ACAP SPECIES
Status Distribution/abundance
Threats Research/monitoring
Soft-plumaged petrel
widespread Small popn on Antipodes
Snares Cape petrel
E subsp.
Most southern islands
Chatham taiko E, Endg , RS Single population
Current translocation, active management Recovery plan
Chatham petrel E, Endg, RS Single population
Recent translocations, active management Recovery plan , Tracking breeding season and migration
Status Distribution/abundance
Threats Research/monitoring
Grey-faced petrel
E subsp. Many colonies
Breeding, some colony monitoring, Tracking study underway
White-headed petrel
N, sthn Indian & Pacific Oceans
Auckland, Antipdes poss Campbell Is
Kermadec petrel N, Australasian region
Kermadec Is
White-naped petrel
N Australasian region
Kermadec Is, Phillip Is, Norfolk Is
Tracking study of outward migration path completed on Phillip Island population
Status Distribution/abundance
Threats Research/monitoring
Cooks petrel E, ES Little Barrier, Great Barrier, Codfish I
Tracking both popns breeding season and migration
Pycrofts petrel E Limited North I range
Tracking study underway
Mottled petrel E Limited range but numerous
Tracking study underway
Black-winged petrel
N, Tropical Pacific
Expanding range in Nthn NZ
Tracking study underway
Status Distribution/abundance
Threats Research/monitoring
Broad-billed prion
N, cool temperate islands
Common, breeding dist poorly known
Antarctic prion Circumpolar
In NZ Auckland Is only
Fairy prion Circumpolar Abundant in NZ
Inshore trawl fish
Fulmar prion E subsp Bounty & West Chain, Snares only