Marine Climate Change in Australia Impacts and Adaptation Responses 2012 REPORT CARD: Seabirds

What is happening

Tropical and subtropical species breeding at Houtman Albrolhos, WA, are now experiencing poor breeding success outside of El Niño years linked to warming. Large range extension is reported for Brindled Tern in south-west Australia in response to ocean warming.

What is expected

Warming will impact the timing and breeding success of temperate seabird species. Little penguin breeding is expected to become earlier and more successful to 2030s, but later decline as temperatures warm further. Increases in extreme fire days in southern and eastern Australia will lead to higher risk of injury and death for colonial nesting species, such as penguins.

What we are doing about it

Implementation of fast-response fire action plans to reduce risk of fire in seabird colonies close to human settlements or infrastructure, investigating human adaptation options to increase resilience of conservation dependent seabirds and marine mammals impacted by climate change.