Albatross Island and Black Pyramid Rock (23986)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Albatross Island and Black Pyramid Rock
Central coordinates: Latitude: -40.4250, Longitude: 144.5000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 35
Area of KBA (km2): 0.67835
Protected area coverage (%): 45.34
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA consists of two tiny islands offshore from the north-west of Tasmania. Albatross Island (33 ha) is very rocky, with a coastline of eroded boulders, gulches and caves and a short cover of grasses and herbs across the interior. Black Pyramid Rock (40 ha) is a spectacular basaltic rock surrounded by steep cliffs, steep grassy slopes and a small central plateau. It is sparsely vegetated as the gannets have taken most as nesting material.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Small numbers of Little Penguins, Short-tailed Shearwaters, Pacific and Silver Gulls and Sooty Oystercatchers nest. Records of Lewin's Rail at Albatross Island are noteworthy, when the decline of the endemic Tasmanian race brachipus gives cause for serious concern. Peregrine Falcon noted at Albatross Island and breeding at Black Pyramid Rock. Other species recorded from the IBA include the near threatened Flame Robin and the Australian cool/temperate biome-restricted Pink Robin. Non-bird biodiversity: Australian Fur Seal and New Zealand Fur Seal regularly haul out at Albatross Island.
Other site values: Tasmanian State Government with management the responsibility of DPIW. Visitors should check regulations with DPIW.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 67 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The avian pox virus in Shy Albatross should be investigated further and potentially managed. Further work to reduce long-line fishery by-catch is needed to conserve the Shy Albatross at sea.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Viral/prion-induced diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: BirdLife International (2007) Species factsheet: Thalassarche cauta. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 29/6/2007. Brothers, N., Pemberton, D., Pryor, H. & Halley, V. 2001. Tasmania's Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. Bunce, A., Norman, F.I., Brothers, N. & Gales, R. 2002. Long-term trends in the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator) population in Australia: the effect of climate change and commercial fisheries. Marine Biology 141: 263-269. Robertson, G.G. & Gales, R. 1998. Albatross Biology and Conservation. Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Ltd, Australia. Skira, I.J., Brothers, N.P. & Pemberton, D. 1996. Distribution, abundance and conservation status of Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris in Tasmania. Marine Ornithology 24: 1-14.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Peter Britton. Aleks Terauds and Sheryl Hamilton kindly supplied data. Rachael Alderman and Rosemary Gales of DPIW kindly commented on the nomination.