New Zealand and 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. 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 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

6. Annexes Annex 1 List of participants Annex 2 List of species under consideration Annex 3 Pre-workshop discussion powerpoint document

Introduction and background

Introduction New Zealand is the country with the greatest number of breeding and globally threatened species of and petrels. Despite this, New Zealand have received less attention than their terrestrial counterparts for both research and conservation. With climate change and increasing pressure on the New Zealand marine environment and on the Southern Ocean, greater understanding of the ecology of albatrosses and petrels can help us understand and address the changes that are occurring. To date much of the research undertaken has been reactive rather than proactive. Both research and management has concentrated on critically endangered species and those known to be at risk from fisheries interactions, there have been few studies of more common species and there has been little recent fundamental research on New Zealand seabirds. Our national resources are clearly insufficient to meet the all the monitoring, research and management required for the conservation of all species, let alone undertaking more fundamental research that addresses issues in marine ecology or climate change. Currently there is no clear national strategy, to guide the prioritisation of available resources or to best utilise international funding opportunities and visiting researchers.

The aim of this workshop was to help develop national strategies for albatross and petrel research and conservation in the New Zealand region. The workshop was species-focused, seeking to identify those species where monitoring, research or management is most urgently required or most usefully undertaken. The workshop sought to identify those actions that are essential to ensure the survival, persistence and/or recovery of the species concerned and those species, threatened or non- threatened, that could provide useful insights into marine ecology and climate change. In the time available it was impossible to cover all such topics in sufficient detail. For the purposes of this workshop we have followed the used in Gill et al (2010)1. This differs in some respects from that used by the Department of Conservation and by the Birdlife International World Database.

In this workshop we only considered those populations breeding on islands under New Zealand jurisdiction.

The workshop was facilitated by;

1 Gill, B.J. ET AL. 2010, Checklist of the of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Te Papa Press. John Croxall (BirdLife International (manages IUCN Red List and published recent review of global conservation priorities for seabirds; ex southern hemisphere researcher) and Kerry-Jane Wilson (independent NZ researcher and author of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand 2006 report on State of NZ seabirds).

Researchers and conservation managers who are currently or recently involved in work with New Zealand albatrosses or petrels were invited to take part.

This report will be sent to Department of Conservation, Fisheries division of the Ministry for Primary Industries and other key stakeholders.

The workshop was sponsored by the Australasian Seabird Group with meeting facilities provided free of charge by the National Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa.

Aims

To contribute to the development and implementation of a national strategy for seabird research, monitoring and conservation by: a) identifying some priority actions for albatross and petrel research, monitoring and management; b) suggesting ways to improve coordination and collaboration between New Zealand seabird researchers and between researchers, managers and administrators.

Participants

A list of participants is attached as Annex 1.

Source materials

1. List of taxa under consideration, together with their national and international threat status (Annex 2). 2. BirdLife International Species Factsheets for all species of albatross and petrel breeding in New Zealand with IUCN Red List status as globally threatened or near-threatened (sourced from www.birdlife.org/datazone/species in July 2012). 3. Taylor, G. 2000. Action Plan for Seabird Conservation in New Zealand. Threatened Species Occasional Publication Nos 16 & 17. Department of Conservation, Wellington. http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/TSOP16.pdf 4. Wilson, K-J. The State of New Zealand’s birds 2006; Special report New Zealand’s seabirds. http://osnz.org.nz/publications/The%20State%20of%20New%20Zealand%20Birds 5. Rowe, S. and Taylor, G. 2006. New Zealand Seabird Priorities 2006 – 2011. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 6. Croxall et al. 2012. Seabird , 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)

Recommendations and conclusions

1. Taxonomic matters

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 ) 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 ; 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 /Fairy Prion complex (genetic analysis begun, more samples required); c) Little 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 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 Light-mantled Albatross (Kerguelen/40.2%/1987) (>5% global population) Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Crozet/17.9%/1984) no population data in last 20 years (1991-2010) 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 All six populations above plus: (>5% global population) Campbell Albatross (Campbell/100%/1998) no population data in last 10 years (2001-2010) 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 Amsterdam Albatross, Tristan Albatross, Wandering Albatross, VERY HIGH level trend data , Laysan Albatross, Antipodean Albatross, Black- (75-100% island groups) footed Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross

Species with Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel HIGH - MODERATE level trend data (50 – 74% island groups)

Species with Light-mantled Albatross, Sooty Albatross MODERATE - LOW level trend data (25-49% trend data)

Species with Northern Giant Petrel, Grey-headed Albatross, Southern Royal LOW level trend data Albatross (1-25% island groups)

Species with Northern Royal Albatross, Waved Albatross, Buller’s Albatross, UNKNOWN trend data Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, (< 1% island groups) Campbell Albatross, Chatham Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, White-capped Albatross; Grey Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Spectacled Petrel, Black Petrel, Westland Petrel

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 Chatham Islands (Paul Scofield, Canterbury Museum); (iv) Black Petrel (Biz Bell, Wildlife Management International); (v) Westland Petrel (Sue Waugh, Sandy Bartle, National Museum, Te Papa), (vi) Grey Petrel (counts in 2001 & 2008/9). There are no relevant data for Northern Royal Albatross at Chatham Islands nor for Black-browed Albatross at Campbell Island.

Population trend recommendations 1) Available data should be transmitted to ACAP forthwith. 2) Population estimates to provide trend data for and Campbell Black-browed Albatross at Campbell Island should be collected at the earliest opportunity. 3) Collate existing count data for Light-mantled Sooty Albatross at Adams I (Walker, Elliott) and Campbell I (Sagar, Taylor). Data available are limited but valuable. 4) It is equally important to maintain monitoring of those populations for which there is existing trend data as it is to establish trend counts for the species mentioned above.

Table 3. ACAP species for which no demographic statistics are currently being collected. New Zealand species in bold.4 Demographic statistics ACAP species

No data for adult survival Salvin’s Albatross, Spectacled Petrel

(two species)

No data for juvenile survival Buller’s Albatross, Chatham Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Salvin’s Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross, Southern Royal Albatross, Spectacled (nine species) Petrel, Westland Petrel, White-capped Albatross

No data for productivity Chatham Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, Spectacled Petrel

(three species)

2.1.3 Demography 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 . 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) Black-browed Albatross Antipodes WCPFC, CCSBT Campbell WCPFC, CCSBT Black Petrel WCPFC, CCSBT Campbell Albatross WCPFC, CCSBT Chatham Albatross WCPFC, CCSBT, Grey Petrel (all sites) WCPFC, CCSBT, ICCAT, IOTC, New Zealand pelagic trawl Northern Royal Albatross Chatham WCPFC, CCSBT, ICCAT, New Zealand pelagic trawl Salvin’s Albatross, Bounty New Zealand pelagic trawl Westland Petrel WCPFC, CCSBT, New Zealand pelagic trawl

CCSBT: Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna ICCAT: International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna IOTC: Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

2.3. At-sea issues In relation to the provisional priorities identified by ACAP Secretariat, Seabird Bycatch Working Group Convenors and New Zealand, as submitted to the Fourth Meeting of ACAP Parties in April 2012 (Table 3) it was noted that there appear to be inconsistencies with the results of recent risk assessments for fisheries in the New Zealand EEZ, which suggest that some of these pose high risks to ACAP species, especially Black Petrel. A comprehensive re-evaluation of the data used to derive the ACAP priorities for New Zealand fisheries and breeding seabird species would seem warranted.

Recommendation 1) New Zealand seabird and other scientists with appropriate expertise review the ACAP priorities for New Zealand species/fisheries, especially in the light of those identified in national risk assessments.

General recommendations relating to ACAP species The New Zealand organisations and individuals representing New Zealand at ACAP and on its Working Groups need to establish effective links with all New Zealand scientists working on ACAP species and other stakeholders. It is clear that scientific data available have not been submitted to ACAP and that New Zealand scientific experts have not been consulted or involved in initiatives of the ACAP Working Groups for which they have particular knowledge and expertise. Graeme Taylor will liaise with Ian Angus, Igor Debski, Rosemary Gales and Richard Phillips to ensure available data are transmitted to ACAP.

Notwithstanding this, the operation of ACAP has resulted in substantially enhanced work on New Zealand ACAP species, at least in comparison to non-ACAP species. While it was regarded as important to fill some of the top priority gaps already identified for ACAP species, concern was expressed that before any new initiatives are started for ACAP species, the priority of these should be reviewed against priorities for non-ACAP seabird species, many of which are equally threatened.

There are few data available on White-chinned Petrels in the New Zealand region and given the importance of fishery interactions for this species, relevant research on this species is a priority. Paul Sagar has studied burrow densities, breeding frequency and adult survival on Antipodes Island and this data is being analysed for publication. The possibility of researchers working on the Auckland Islands undertaking studies of these populations should be investigated. There may be opportunities associated with the existing projects on Adams Island albatrosses or Enderby Island sea lions.

3 Non ACAP Species

For the non-ACAP species it was much harder to determine where priorities should lie as, with the exception of some of the most critically endangered species, little is known of the distribution, population status or trends for almost all burrow-breeding petrels.

3.1 Conservation Services Programme

The Department of Conservation’s Conservation Services Programme funding is derived from fishing levies and is used to fund research on seabirds impacted by fisheries bycatch. At this stage the only non-ACAP species funded by this scheme is the Flesh-footed Shearwater. Barry Baker’s work looking at population numbers at selected colonies has finished and the report should be available soon. Te Papa, in conjunction with DoC, is undertaking demographic and foraging studies on islands in the Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds building on Baker’s studies.

3.2 Recreational fishing impacts

To date there has been little consideration of the impact recreational fishing may have on albatrosses and petrels. Alan Tennyson noted that all the Flesh-footed found dead following the Rena oil spill had injuries suggesting that their deaths were caused by recreational fishers. There are few other data on impacts caused by recreational fishers. Black Petrels and Buller’s Shearwaters are two species likely to be caught by recreational fishers; one recent survey that asked fishers how often seabirds were caught suggested that the overall number could be as high as 10,000 annually although most would be released alive. The OSNZ beach patrol records the numbers of beach cast seabirds found by members.

Recreational fishing impacts recommendations 1) Request DOC to add Flesh-footed Shearwaters to their list of species found dead to be autopsied by the Massey University wildlife team. 2) Surveys are needed to find out which recreational fishing methods catch which species of seabirds. 3) Enhance awareness of seabirds and the impact recreational fishing may have on them through the two TV fishing shows and fishing magazines.

3.3 Regional surveys

Seabird surveys are underway on islands along the east coast of the North Island between Cape Brett and the Bay of Plenty (Chris Gaskin, Todd Landers and Matt Rayner) funded by the Greater Auckland Council. This work will not only document the species breeding on each location but suggest research priorities for this region. This document when completed should provide a model for further regional surveys.

Few other island surveys have been done in during the last 20 years. For seabirds, Fiordland, the Ruapuke Islands and the islands off the east coast of Stewart Island remain the least known of the islands around mainland New Zealand. Iwi ownership of the Ruapuke Islands and most islands off Stewart Island restrict survey activity. Muttonbirding occurs on most of these islands but there is virtually no information on other species breeding there. Fiordland is a more practical proposition. Other mainland areas of importance are Marlborough Sounds (some data for some islands) and the Catlins Coast.

Of the sub-Antarctic Islands the status and population size for most albatross species are tolerably well know (see ACAP Species section above). Fairly comprehensive surveys were undertaken at the Snares in the 1980’s (Colin Miskelly, Alan Tennyson), sooty shearwaters at The Snares in the 1970’s and early 2000’s (J Warham, K-J Wilson, P Scofield), although for most species estimates of numbers present were order of magnitude only. The distribution of petrels on the Antipodes is tolerably well known but other than as yet unpublished data for grey petrels (Biz Bell) there are virtually no quantitative data. The Auckland Islands are poorly surveyed with most data coming from the 1972/73 expedition. Few surveys of petrels have been undertaken on Campbell Island where the surrounding islets have very seldom been visited. The Bounty Islands, where the only non-ACAP species are Fulmar Prions and Cape Petrels, are of lower priority. GLS loggers deployed on Fulmar Prions in October 2012 should be retrieved in 2013.

Species breeding on the southern islands are those most likely to be affected by climate change so surveys there could be of particular importance.

A comprehensive review of petrels breeding on the Chatham Islands was published by Mike Imber in 1994 although for most species at most locations there were no quantitative data on abundance. Most data are now 20-25 years old. Of the Kermadec Islands, people are stationed on Raoul Island but the DoC staff there do not get time or opportunity to undertake petrel surveys. As petrels are recolonising Raoul following mammal eradications surveys are of particular interest. The other islands are seldom visited; there are quantitative data for Curtis and Macauley Islands but the density of burrows and the fragility of the soil on Macauley (and other densely burrowed islands) means repeat surveys must be conducted in ways that minimises damage to the habitat.

Forest and Bird, Birdlife International and Te Papa have supported the development of a comprehensive seabird breeding colony database for New Zealand, which currently contains some thousands of records of sites where seabirds have bred. This database should be available for use in 2013. The seabird colony database includes both quantitative and descriptive information. While reliable quantitative data are most desirable, purely descriptive information, even if it merely lists the species present, is still of use.

Recommendations

1) Complete the Auckland Region seabird survey document and make this available as a template for further regional surveys 2) Undertake seabird breeding surveys of Fiordland and of islands in the Ruapuke Group and Stewart Island area as opportunity allows. 3) Repeat surveys of breeding petrels, in particular sooty shearwaters, mottled petrels and diving petrels, on the Snares Islands. 4) Undertake baseline surveys of petrels on the Auckland and Campbell Islands (including islets). Further discussion on which islands in this group are of particular interest would be desirable. 5) On the Chatham Islands resurvey petrels on Rangatira Island, Mangere Island and the Star Keys. 6) Every fifth year have one person added to the DoC team specifically to undertake surveys of those petrels recolonising Raoul Island. This person need not be a DoC employee. 7) Survey burrow-breeding petrels on Macauley Island. 8) Collate all available information for the Auckland Islands. 9) The current situation where permits restrict where researchers can go and what they can do while on the southern islands was highlighted as an issue that prevented bone fide visitors addressing some of the above recommendations. More flexible permits would enable parties working on one project to undertake some additional petrel survey work as resources and conditions allowed. 10) Acoustic survey methods may be useful for some remote locations and need appropriate trials.

3.4 Burrow-breeding petrel surveys

There was some discussion on which petrel species and which populations were of high priority for quantitative surveys. While accurate surveys of any populations are useful and should be encouraged, several key points emerged. 1) Burrow-breeding petrels are assumed to have benefited when mammals have been eradicated from islands but there have been few surveys of petrels before and after mammal eradications. 2) Likewise there is little assessment of seabird populations on islands with different predator histories. 3) Most surveys have been ad hoc and opportunistic; methodology is often inadequately described making it difficult to compare counts. Usually the only estimate is of burrow numbers. Burrow occupancy estimates and chick mass data add to the value of counts. 4) Sooty shearwaters are one of the most abundant and widespread of New Zealand seabirds and while still abundant there is evidence of their decline. Monitoring of selected populations throughout their range would be important. 5) Clarity over the aims and objectives of any survey and what level of population change could be detected by the methodology chosen is desirable.

Rachel Buxton briefly outlined the aims and objectives of her PhD study. She will be documenting population numbers of Pycroft’s Petrel, Fluttering Shearwater, Little Shearwater and Northern Diving Petrel on islands with different predator histories including islands recently cleared of mammalian predators. She will be developing survey methodology for burrow-breeding species.

Burrow-breeding petrel survey recommendations 1) Develop survey methodology for burrow-breeding petrels, remembering that some visits may be brief (a few hours), others of several weeks. Rachel Buxton may wish to take a lead here. Various manuals exist but none are consistently used in New Zealand. 2) Resurvey sooty shearwaters at those colonies throughout their range where previous surveys have been undertaken, these are The Snares, Codfish Island, Taiaroa Head, Motunau Island, Titi Island, Mana Island and Bethells Beach. Other small mainland colonies in Otago, Banks Peninsula and Westland may also be worth resurveying. 3) Survey Kermadec Storm Petrel colonies and, once discovered, New Zealand Storm Petrel colonies. 4) For the southern islands Sooty Shearwater, Grey Petrel and White-chinned Petrel were suggested to be the most important species for survey. Cape Petrel on the Snares was of secondary importance.

3.5 Eradication of mammals from islands The eradication of introduced mammals from islands has presumably greatly benefited petrels but sadly there have been few pre- and post-eradication surveys to document benefits to seabirds. A list of islands where mammal eradication is desirable was drawn up with Pitt Island (Chatham Island group) (cats, pigs, and mice) and Auckland Island (pigs and cats) topping the list. Other islands where eradication of introduced mammals would greatly benefit petrels are; Antipodes (mice), Great Barrier Island, Arid I (ship rat, weka), Great Mercury Island, Stewart Island and Chatham Island.

Eradication of mammals from Islands recommendations 1) Top priority islands for the eradication of introduced predators are Pitt Island (cats, pigs, weka and mice) and Auckland Island (pigs and cats). 2) Also important are Antipodes (mice), Great Barrier Island, Arid I (ship rat, weka), Great Mercury Island, Stewart Island and Chatham Island. 3) Quantitative surveys of petrel colonies on island before and after the eradication of introduced mammals. This will be studied on Ririwha Island before and after kiore eradication. Antipodes, and Auckland Islands are other important islands for pre and post eradication surveys.

3.6 Translocation of petrels

There have been a number of petrel translocations over the last decade and a paper by Miskelly et al5 presents a review of these. At this workshop we only addressed priorities for threatened species or endemic species breeding at one or few locations. Translocations meeting these criteria that are underway or recently completed are Chatham Island Taiko, Chatham Petrel and Hutton’s Shearwater.

Petrel translocation recommendations

Restricted or threatened species where translocations are a priority are:

1) White-naped Petrel and Kermadec Petrel (a sound system on Raoul Island may be all that is required to enhance populations of these species and of Kermadec populations of Little Shearwaters). 2) Kermadec Storm-petrel (to Macauley Island).

5 Miskelly ey al 2008, Conservation status of New Zealand birds, 2008, Notornis 55; 117-135. 3) Cook’s Petrel from Little Barrier Island to Cape Kidnappers and Boundary Stream. 4) Cook’s Petrel from Codfish Island to Chalky Island. 5) Chatham Albatross to Chatham Island. 6) Northern Royal Albatross to Pitt Island. 7) Buller’s Shearwater to Rakitu and Fanal Islands in the longer term Motuora Island.

3.7 Fisheries and non-ACAP species The only non-ACAP species where fisheries impact is being addressed is the Flesh-footed Shearwater (B Baker, S Waugh). Hutton’s and Sooty Shearwaters are likely to be killed by fishers in New Zealand waters but the impact, if any, has not been studied.

Concern had been expressed that a reduction in fisheries observer coverage could result in an increase in numbers of seabirds caught and/or loss of information on numbers killed. This led to a discussion with Ian Angus on how the recent restructuring within DoC might impact upon seabird research and observer coverage. Ian noted that DoC now had two national marine-focussed teams (Marine Ecosystems Team, managed by Sean Cooper, and Marine Species and Threats Team, managed by Ian). Ian assured the group the Conservation Services Programme would continue and would encompass fisheries observer coverage. The intention was to prioritise coverage with the Ministry of Primary Industries on an annual basis. Ian noted that the National Plan of Action- Seabirds is under review and a draft should be available in October 2012. Ian sought guidance on what the group thought should be the priority species or sites for future monitoring, input on potential ecosystem integrity, indicator species and a view on population survey or monitoring standards.

Fisheries and non-ACAP species recommendations 1) A sub-group from this workshop liaise with Ian Angus on the above topics and maintain this liaison as new data on at risk species become available.

3.8 Climate and sea temperature change

New Zealand has not yet undertaken research to predict which seabird species are/may be at risk from climate change and associated increases in sea water temperatures, nor have we determined which species are likely to be useful in monitoring changes in the marine environment. The discussion focused on those species most likely to reflect changes in the marine environment. Considered were species where existing long-term datasets are available, even though they may not be those that best reflect environmental change, and those where long term monitoring would be of most value. A range of species with differing foraging strategies are required.

The problems of continuing annual or regular censuses of albatrosses and petrels over a long enough period to reflect environmental change were highlighted. The success of these invariably comes down to the passion and commitment of the individuals concerned.

It is one thing to show populations have changed over time; it is another to link this to climate change. Knowledge of foods and foraging should help to test any correlation with climate change. Australian scientists have been developing marine climate models and linking these to seabird populations. This has not been done in New Zealand. Potential for funding this work was not discussed.

Species where existing datasets could be useful in monitoring changes in the marine environment are; Buller’s Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Gibson’s Albatross, Antipodean Albatross, Sooty Shearwater and Westland Petrel,

Inshore feeding species with high biomass are likely to be useful, suggestions for central New Zealand were; Westland Petrel, Hutton’s Shearwater (nesting at high altitudes), Fluttering Shearwater, Fairy Prion, Diving Petrels. In the Hauraki Gulf work has begun on Grey-faced Petrel, Little Shearwater, Fluttering Shearwater, Black-winged Petrel and White-faced Storm Petrel.

Climate and sea temperature change recommendations

1) Investigate options of collaborating with Australian researchers in developing climate/seabird linkage models for New Zealand. 2) Continue regular monitoring of Buller’s Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Gibsons Albatross, Antipodean Albatross, Sooty Shearwater, Westland Petrel, Fairy Prion (Dunedin) and Fluttering Shearwater (Marlborough). 3) Continue the monitoring of Grey-faced Petrel, Little Shearwater, Fluttering Shearwater, Black-winged Petrel and White-faced Storm Petrel in the Hauraki Gulf. 4) Where possible support research into the foods and foraging of monitored species. 5) Review existing census information on other populations to identify additional candidate species.

4 Outreach, engagement and capacity building

4.1 Albatross and petrel symposium Concern was expressed that few young people are becoming involved with albatross and petrel research in New Zealand and a disproportionate number of graduate students working on seabirds were from overseas. There was a brief discussion on ways to get young New Zealanders involved and to support and encourage them. There are few opportunities for young people to get involved in fieldwork and surveys along the lines of those done by ASG in Australia have been suggested. A regular albatross and petrel symposium similar to the biennial Oamaru Penguin Symposium was suggested. That meeting provides a forum for students, lay-workers as well as scientists to present their work.

Recommendation 1) That there be regular Albatross and Petrel Symposia similar in format to the biennial Oamaru Penguin Symposium.

4.2 Community groups In light of ever increasing financial constraints and staff redundancies, the Department of Conservation is coming to rely more and more on community groups to undertake conservation- related management and research. While some groups, including several working with petrels, for example the Chatham Taiko Trust which has generated over one million dollars for taiko and other local conservation work, are achieving good conservation outcomes, others are not so successful. In any case only the high profile species are likely to receive wide community support. The petrels that most need research nest on remote islands, have low, if any, public profile, and are probably now even less likely to receive attention than they were when the Department of Conservation was better funded. Community groups are good at advocacy and give lay-people the chance to make a contribution to conservation. The Great Barrier Island group has done excellent work and rather than working alone has looked to see how it fits into the bigger picture. Community groups need to work closely with DoC and many need leadership or direction from DoC. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is organising a conference about the changing face of conservation and the role of community groups in conservation.

Recommendation 1) People involved with community conservation trusts attend the conference organised by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, 17-18 October 2013.

5. Other

Two important topics, collaborative research opportunities and new/external funding opportunities were unable to be discussed due to time constraints.

Recommendation 1) These topics should be given priority future attention, ideally in association with the first meeting of the proposed Albatross and Petrel Symposia

Annex 1. Workshop participants

Convenors Kerry-Jayne Wilson, West Coast Blue Penguin Trust and independent seabird researcher, Charleston. John Croxall, Birdlife International, Cambridge, UK (also ACAP).

Recorder Nicholas Carlile, Australasian Seabird Group

Paticipants Ian Angus, Department of Conservation, Wellington, (also ACAP). Karen Baird, Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society, Warkworth. Barry Baker, Latitude 42, Environmental consultants, Tasmania, (also ACAP). Jonathan Barrington, Australian Antarctic Division, Hobart, Tasmania, (also ACAP). Biz Bell, Wildlife Management International, Blenheim. Mike Bell, Wildlife Management International, Blenheim. Rachel Buxton, PhD student, Otago University, Dunedin. Graeme Elliott, Department of Conservation, Nelson. Chris Gaskin, Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society, Warkworth. Helen Gummer, Seabird contractor, Wellington. Ian Hay, Australian Antarctic Division, Hobart, Tasmania, ACAP. Georgie Hedley, Seabird contractor, Auckland. Colin Miskelly, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington. David Nicholls, Helen Otley, Department of Conservation, Hokitika Paul Sagar, National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research, Christchurch. Junichi Sugishita, PhD student, Otago University, Dunedin. Graeme Taylor, Department of Conservation, Wellington. Alan Tennyson, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington. David Thompson, National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington. Leigh Torres, National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington. Sue Waugh, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.

Annex 2. The albatross and petrel species that breed in the New Zealand region.

Albatrosses - Family Diomedeidae

Southern royal albatross Diomedea epomophora E S UC ACAP Northern royal albatross D. sanfordi E UC ACAP Antipodes Is albatross D. antipodensis antipodensis S UC ACAP Gibson’s albatross D. antipodensis gibsoni S NV ACAP Black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris C ACAP Campbell black-browed albatross T. impavida E S UC ACAP Grey-headed albatross T. chrysostoma S T NC ACAP New Zealand white-capped albatross T. cauta steadi E D ACAP Salvin’s albatross T. salvini E NV ACAP Chatham Island albatross T. eremita C UC ACAP Southern Buller’s albatross T. bulleri bulleri E S UC ACAP Northern Buller’s albatross T. bulleri platei C UC ACAP Light-mantled sooty albatross Phoebetria palpebrata S D ACAP

Shearwaters, Petrels and Prions - Family Northern giant petrel Macronectes halli S UC ACAP Grey petrel Procellaria cinerea S D ACAP Black petrel P. parkinsoni E NV ACAP Westland petrel P. westlandica E UC ACAP White-chinned petrel P. aequinoctialis S D ACAP Flesh-footed shearwater P. carneipes D Wedge-tailed shearwater P. pacificus K RL Buller’s shearwater P. bulleri E UC Sooty shearwater P. griseus D Fluttering shearwater P. gavia E RL Hutton’s shearwater P. huttoni E D Kermadec little shearwater P. assimilis kermadecensis E K RL North Island little shearwater P. assimilis haurakiensis E R Subantarctic little shearwater P. elegans S UC Snares Cape petrel Daption capense australe E S UC Fairy prion Pachyptila turtur RL Fulmar prion P. crassirostris crassirostris S UC Chatham fulmar prion P. crassirostris pyramidalis C UC Lesser fulmar prion P. crassirostris flemingi S UC Antarctic prion P. desolata S UC Broad-billed prion P. vittata RL Grey-faced petrel Pterodroma macroptera gouldi E NT Pycroft’s petrel P. pycrofti E R Cook’s petrel P. cookii E RL Black-winged petrel P. nigripennis NT Chatham petrel P. axillaris C NV Mottled petrel P. inexpectata E RL White-napped petrel P. cervicalis K RL Kermadec petrel P. neglecta neglecta K RL Chatham Island taiko P. magentae C NC White-headed petrel P. lessonii S NT Soft-plumaged petrel P. mollis S UC

Storm petrels Family - Hydrobatidae New Zealand storm petrel Pealeornis maoriana E DD Grey-backed storm petrel Garrodia nereis RL N.Z. white-faced storm petrel Pelagodroma marina maoriana E RL Kermadec storm petrel P. albiclunis EK NC Black-bellied storm petrel Fregetta tropica S NT White-bellied storm petrel F. grallaria grallaria K NE

Diving Petrels Family Pelecanoididae Northern diving petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix urinatrix RL 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. Taxonomic issues (Tennyson)

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)

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 standard that is followed by all (Scofield)

Taxonomic priorities (Croxall)

NZ potential species • Cook’s Petrel • Snares Cape petrel • Grey-faced/Great-winged Petrel

NZ potential research lead • Fulmar/Fairy Prion complex • diving petrels

NZ potential collaboration • Little Shearwater complex • Storm petrels • Wedge-tailed shearwater ACAP species

• Albatrosses, giant petrels, Procellaria species. • These have been subject of in depth debate at an international level. • Only NZ breeding ACAP species are considered here. • Are we prepared to confirm ACAP recommendations? • RS restricted range, breed only on one or few islands Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Nth Royal E, Chathams S American Intensive study of Tairoa Albatross endangered Taiaroa fisheries bycatch popn Recovery plan

Sth Royal E Campbell Longline fishery Albatross Vulnerable Auckland Is

Gibsons E, RS Auckland Is Popn estimate & trends , Albatross adult survival DoC priority

Antipodean E Antipodes Albatross Vulnerable Campbell Is

Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Grey-headed Circumpolar Campbell I Campbell I >5% global Albatross Vulnerable popn no popn estimate in last 10 years Popn estimate & trends DoC priority

Black-browed Circumpolar Western Longline fishery Albatross , small NZ Chain, popn. Antipodes Campbell Is Campbell E, RS Single popn no population estimate in Albatross Vulnerable Campbell I last 10 years Popn estimate & trends DoC priority

Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Sth Buller’s E Snares Both populations Albatross Near-threat Solander Is surveyed monitored

Nth Buller’s E Chatham, Recovery plan Albatross Near-threat Three Kings Is

Light-mantled Circumpolar Campbell Campbell I >5% global sooty Albatross Auckland popn no popn estimate in Antipodes Is last 10 years

Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

NZ white-capped E subsp. Auckland few Longline fishery Population estimates & Albatross Near-threat Antipodes Is monitoring, demography Popn estimate & trends DoC priority Salvins Albatross E Western Inshore trawl Western Chain censused Vulnerable Chain, fish no recent count Bounties Bounty Is At sea tracking, popn estimate & trends DoC priority

Chatham E, RS Single popn Annual surveys Albatross Vulnerable Recovery plan

Nthn Giant Circumpolar Auckland Longline fishery petrel Campbell Antipodes Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

White-chinned Circumpolar Dist well Inshore trawl fish Auckland I >5% global petrel known Longline fishery popn no popn estimate in abundance last 20 years poorly known Westland petrel E, RS Dist and Fisheries bycatch, Demography, intensive Vulnerable abundance introduced surveys, GPS tracking well known mammals? Recovery plan

Black petrel E, RS, Great Dist and Habitat loss Intensive surveys, GPS & Little abundance Longline fishery tracking,. Barrier Is well known DoC priority species only Vulnerable

Grey petrel N, wide Campbell & Longline fishery distribution Antipodes only, poorly known Table 3. Abundance of ACAP species (number of annually breeding pairs)

Number of annually breeding pairs ACAP-listed species

1 – 100 Amsterdam Albatross 101 – 1000 Short-tailed Albatross 1001 – 10 000 Southern Royal Albatross Black Petrel Chatham Albatross Westland Petrel Tristan Albatross Wandering Albatross Antipodean Albatross Waved Albatross Northern Royal Albatross

10 001 – 100 000 Shy Albatross Spectacled Petrel Black-footed Albatross Northern Giant Petrel Buller’s Albatross Southern Giant Petrel Sooty Albatross Grey Petrel Salvin’s Albatross Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross White-capped Albatross Grey-headed Albatross Light-mantled Albatross Campbell Albatross 100 001 – 1 000 000 Laysan Albatross Black-browed Albatross 1 000 001 + White-chinned Petrel Table 4. 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

Species/Island Groups Light-mantled Albatross (Kerguelen/40.2%/1987) (>5% global population) no population data in last 20 years Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Crozet/17.9%/1984) (1991-2010) 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 All six populations above plus: (>5% global population) no population data in last 10 years Campbell Albatross (Campbell/100%/1998) (2001-2010) Light-mantled Albatross (Campbell/16.7%/1996) Grey-headed Albatross (Campbell/6.7%/1997) Table 5. Level of knowledge of current (2001-2010) population trend data (at island group level)

Species with Amsterdam Albatross, Tristan Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Shy VERY HIGH level trend data Albatross, Laysan Albatross, Antipodean Albatross, Black-footed (75-100% island groups) Albatross, Short-tailed Albatross

Species with Black-browed Albatross, Southern Giant Petrel HIGH - MODERATE level trend data (50 – 74% island groups)

Species with Light-mantled Albatross, Sooty Albatross MODERATE - LOW level trend data (25-49% trend data)

Species with Northern Giant Petrel, Grey-headed Albatross, Southern Royal LOW level trend data Albatross (1-25% island groups)

Species with Northern Royal Albatross, Waved Albatross, Buller’s Albatross, UNKNOWN trend data Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, (< 1% island groups) Campbell Albatross, Chatham Albatross, Salvin’s Albatross, White- capped Albatross; Grey Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Spectacled Petrel, Black Petrel, Westland Petrel ACAP Working Group Priorities, (R Gales, R Phillips)

• NZ has ninety-two populations of 16 ACAP species, 10 endemic, more than any other jurisdiction. • Resurvey Campbell Albatross at Campbell Island. • Population trends of Salvin’s Albatross at Bounty Is. Salvin’s identified as the NZ ACAP popn at greatest risk from commercial fisheries. • At sea tracking of Salvins Albatross Conservation Services Priorities (Taylor)

• Black petrel • Campbell albatross • Grey-headed albatross • White-caped albatross • Salvins albatross (Bounty Is) • Gibsons albatross

At risk species in greatest need of research, monitoring or management • Salvin’s albatross, Bounty Is (Baker) • Antipodean albatross (Baker) • Chathams popn of Northern Royal Albatross (Sugishita) • Bullers albatross (Baker) • Westland petrel, (Waugh, Wilson) • Grey petrel • Black petrel (Baker, B Bell)

Population dynamic research required

• Chatham albatross • Salvins albatross (progress on Western Chain none on Bounties) • Southern Royal albatross • Westland petrel

• Giant petrel, little information available Tracking studies

• All Procellaria species (progress made with Westland petrel and Black petrel) • White-chinned petrel (Auckland Is) * • Salvins albatross (Bounty Is) * • Campbell albatross * • Light mantled sooty albatross • Northern giant petrel • Grey-headed albatross (Campbell Is) * • Black-browed albatross

* ACAP preliminary priority Fisheries

• 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/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Soft-plumaged widespread Small popn petrel on Antipodes

Snares Cape E subsp. Most petrel southern islands

Chatham taiko E, Endg , RS Single Current translocation, population active management Recovery plan

Chatham petrel E, Endg, RS Single Recent translocations, population active management Recovery plan , Tracking breeding season and migration Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Grey-faced E subsp. Many Breeding, some colony petrel colonies monitoring, Tracking study underway

White-headed N, sthn Auckland, petrel Indian & Antipdes Pacific poss Oceans Campbell Is Kermadec petrel N, Kermadec Is Australasian region

White-naped N Kermadec Is, Tracking study of outward petrel Australasian Phillip Is, migration path region Norfolk Is completed on Phillip Island population Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Cooks petrel E, ES Little Barrier, Tracking both popns Great Barrier, breeding season and Codfish I migration

Pycrofts petrel E Limited Tracking study underway North I range

Mottled petrel E Limited Tracking study underway range but numerous

Black-winged N, Tropical Expanding Tracking study underway petrel Pacific range in Nthn NZ Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Broad-billed N, cool Common, prion temperate breeding dist islands poorly known

Antarctic prion Circumpolar In NZ Auckland Is only

Fairy prion Circumpolar Abundant in Inshore trawl fish NZ

Fulmar prion E subsp Bounty & West Chain, Snares only Chatham fulmar E subsp, RS Chatham Is prion only

Lesser fulmar N, RS Auckland Is prion also Heard I Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Buller’s E, RS Common Longline fishery Tracking study underway shearwater restricted Breeding studied distribution

Fluttering E Many Fishing nets? Tracking study underway shearwater colonies Longline fishery Cook Srt north Hutton’s E, RS Kaikoura Introduced Translocation underway shearwater area only predators Tracking study underway Habitat deterioration Fishing nets? Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Wedge-tailed N, Kermadecs shearwater widespread only

Flesh-footed N Many Inshore trawl Popn estimates & shearwater widespread colonies fish monitoring of selected Cook Srt colonies, Tracking study, north migration & breeding, fisheries interactions all underway

Sooty N Many NZ Muttonbirding General breeding/biology shearwater widespread colonies, N Pacific well known, abundant fisheries muttonbirding studied Inshore trawl fish Longline fishery Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Kermadec little E subsp On most shearwater Kermadec Islands

North Island E subsp Islands off Tracking study underway little shearwater Nthn North I Biology quite well studied

Subantarctic N wide Chatham & little shearwater distribution Antipodes Is

Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Grey-backed circumpolar Auckland, storm petrel Campbell, Chatham Antipodes NZ White-faced E subsp Many Longline fishery storm petrel colonies, common

Kermadec Storm E, RS 1-2 colonies petrel only

NZ storm petrel E Endg, RS Breeding site unknown Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Black-bellied circumpolar Auckland & storm petrel Antipodes Is only

White-bellied N Kermadecs storm petrel widespread only Status Distribution/ Threats Research/monitoring abundance

Nthn diving N, Australia Cook Str Tracking study underway petrel & NZ north, many islands

Sthn diving E subsp Chathams & Longline fishery petrel southern NZ

Subantarctic circumpolar Auckland, diving petrel Antipodes Campbell Is

South Georgian Circumpolar Codfish I diving petrel , RS in NZ

Conservation Services Priorities (Taylor)

• Flesh-footed shearwater Regional surveys

• Hauraki Gulf, in progress (Rayner, Gaskin, Landers) • Fiordland, Ruapuke, Islands off eastern coast of Stewart Is. Urgently required (Wilson) Species surveys,

• Kermadec w-f stormpetrel • Most burrow-breeding petrels. Eg broad- billed prion wreck in 2011. (Wilson) • Recovering species eg Pycrofts petrel, diving petrel, little shearwater (Buxton) • Non-impacted species. Are there any? Burrow breeding petrel surveys

• Burrow breeding species, survey methodology (Buxton) • Surveys on islands with differing predator histories, which islands, which species? (Buxton)

At risk species in greatest need of research, monitoring or management • Flesh-footed shearwater, tracking studies (Baker)

• Little recent or current work on prions or storm petrels (Wilson)

Priorities for predator control

• Chatham taiko

Priorities for predator eradication

• Pitt Island (cats, pigs, weka) • Auckland I (pigs, cats) Translocation priorities, underway

• Taiko • Chatham petrel • Huttons shearwater Translocation priorities, required

Fisheries threats to Non ACAP species

• Flesh-footed shearwater (research in progress, Baker, Waugh) • How will reduction in fisheries observer programme impact seabirds (Scofield) • Unknown impact from inshore, local vessels, setnets (Huttons & sooty shearwaters) Competition with fisheries for food

• Which if any species are impacted? • Hutton’s & fluttering shearwaters seem likely Human disturbance/impact

• South Georgian diving petrel (Codfish I) • Visitors to translocation sites • Lights, Westland petrel, Huttons shearwater • Plastics, all species (no studies in NZ region) Habitat deterioration

• South Georgian diving petrel (Codfish I) weeds, trampling • Chatham albatross, Nthn royal albatross, Chatham fulmar prion (Sisters, 44s, Pyramid) • White-naped petrel (Macauley I)

Tracking studies (Rayner et al)

• Published, Cooks petrel (LBI & Codfish popns), flesh-footed shearwater, Chatham petrel, Westland petrel, for all breeding season and migration. • Current, Pycrofts petrel, mottled petrel, Bullers shearwater, northern little shearwater, northern diving petrel, black-winged petrel, grey-faced petrel. Tracking studies, priorities

• Taiko Climate change/ sea temperature change

• Who is at risk? • Which are the priority species for monitoring? • Who funds this and how?

• Sooty shearwater, grey-headed albatross? Nest site competition

• Chatham petrels vs broad-billed prions (Rangatira) • Flesh-footed shearwater vs grey-faced petrel • Fairy prion vs fairy prion (small stacks) (Wilson)

• Probably much more common than this Priority species for non-applied research • Grey-headed albatross (Thompson) • GPS tracking of small Pterodromas (Thompson)

Role of community trusts etc

• Huttons Shearwater Trust • Taiko Trust • Cape Sanctuary

• Support and coordination. • DoCs increasing reliance on community groups, how can we make it work? Misc issues

Workshop Priorities

• At risk species not adequately managed - • from fisheries bycatch,

• climate change,

• oil spills, at sea oil drilling

• Other For priority at risk species

• Recovery plan Yes/no • Previous research • Current research/monitoring/management

• Priority research/monitoring/management

For each species offering insights into ocean ecology and climate change • Previous research • Current research/monitoring/management

• Priority research/monitoring/management