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Campbell Albatross (Thalassarche impavida)

The Campbell Albatross is a marine seabird that breeds on Campbell Island and ranges widely through Australasian waters, including waters off southern Australia and along the eastern Australian coast. It forages over coastal shelf waters as well as deeper oceanic waters, so both nearshore and offshore marine areas are relevant to its use of Australian waters.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Vulnerable.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed migratory. Listed migratory species are a matter of national environmental significance, so a significant impact needs referral.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed marine. A listed marine species under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Killing, injuring, taking or moving it in a Commonwealth area needs a permit.

Seasonal planning

Juveniles and non-breeders pass through southern Australian waters during the non-breeding period from May to August.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Present in southern Australian waters: Juveniles and non-breeders pass through southern Australian waters during the non-breeding period from May to August.

Identification: Appearance

In NSW waters, Campbell Albatrosses may be overlooked because they are difficult to distinguish from Black-browed Albatrosses.

In NSW waters, Campbell Albatrosses may be overlooked because they are difficult to distinguish from Black-browed Albatrosses.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species breeds only on Campbell Island and the adjacent islet of Jeanette Marie, south of New Zealand. At sea, it ranges through Australasian waters, including off southern Australia and along the eastern Australian coast.

The species breeds only on Campbell Island and the adjacent islet of Jeanette Marie, south of New Zealand. At sea, it ranges through Australasian waters, including off southern Australia and along the eastern Australian coast.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

During breeding, birds use cool waters over the Campbell Plateau and also forage in shelf-break and deeper oceanic waters. Trips to provision chicks include neritic waters, particularly over the Campbell Plateau, as well as more distant oceanic areas.

During breeding, birds use cool waters over the Campbell Plateau and also forage in shelf-break and deeper oceanic waters. Trips to provision chicks include neritic waters, particularly over the Campbell Plateau, as well as more distant oceanic areas.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Campbell Albatrosses feed by surface-seizing.

Campbell Albatrosses feed by surface-seizing.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

The species breeds annually on Campbell Island, mostly in mixed colonies with Grey-headed Albatrosses. Eggs are laid from late September to early October, chicks hatch mostly in early December and fledge from mid-April to early May.

The species breeds annually on Campbell Island, mostly in mixed colonies with Grey-headed Albatrosses. Eggs are laid from late September to early October, chicks hatch mostly in early December and fledge from mid-April to early May.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Breeding birds nest on ledges and on slopes covered with low grass, tussocks or mud.

Breeding birds nest on ledges and on slopes covered with low grass, tussocks or mud.

Threats: Threats

Campbell Albatrosses are vulnerable to capture on longlines, particularly in Australian and New Zealand waters.

Campbell Albatrosses are vulnerable to capture on longlines, particularly in Australian and New Zealand waters.

Threats: Works risk

Longline fishing in Australian waters can catch Campbell Albatrosses.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Adults have been tracked using light-based geolocation data loggers, and satellite tracking has been used to study foraging trips.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources