Supplementary Form C — Attachment
Provide an attachment describing the action addressing the following points.
A. The objectives and purposes of the action;
B. The equipment and methods used;
A) Our aim is to develop a national risk map of the exposure and likely impact of marine debris on
marine wildlife around the country. To achieve this aim we have developed a series of methods to
collect the data required to produce this risk map and, in association, to potentially provide a
hierarchical list of the species that may be more likely to be impacted by marine debris. We know
that marine debris can result in entanglement and ingestion and that these often result in negative
consequences for wildlife. However, little quantitative data has been systematically collected to
address this important question. Using the methods we outline here, we will take to tackle this
complex question for an important suite of seabird species.
To identify the impacts of marine debris on wildlife, and on seabirds in particular, we must
understand the distribution of the species in question, the distribution of the debris, where seabirds are
likely to encounter debris, and what is the likely outcome from an encounter. Our methods are
designed to have minimal impact on wildlife. Importantly, however, they are also designed to garner
maximum data that can be used not only to increase our knowledge and understanding of foraging
areas, movements and habits of a few target seabird species, but alsoto adress the question of whether
x species likely encounters (and ingests) anthropogenic debris. By taking a hierarchical approach we
can better address the question for fewer species while still gaining tremendous insight to the potential
breadth and depth the marine debris threat poses to wildlife. Specifically, the activities we propose to
carry out at Christmas Island include 1) coastal debris surveys; 2) colony debris surveys and 3) bird
assessment for plastics ingestion.
B) Coastal Surveys – no animal handling
Colony Debris Surveys – no animal handling
Bird assessment for plastics ingestion
Birds will be sampled using hand capture. When a bird is captured the time of day will be noted. Each
captured bird will be taken to a nearby processing station (table and chairs located in a shady spot
unless sampling at night when this is not relevant). Birds will be held for as short a time as possible
(typically 5 to no more than 15 minutes, including taking of measurements, plastics assessment, and
ongoing monitoring of health). Birds will carefully and quickly be measured to determine age, sex,
(where possible) and health characteristics, following well-established standards and protocols. A
hood may be used to keep birds calm and to reduce stress. All birds will be released at the same
location at which they were caught
All equipment will be washed and disinfected between uses, and hands will be washed using a nonirritating soap before handling birds. Any item used for handling birds will be washed after every use.
Birds are constantly being observed during processing. If any individual shows signs of unusual
distress, the bird will be placed in a safe, dark, quiet environment (eg, soft calico bag) and monitored.
Once the bird has calmed/recovered it will be released at point of capture without further processing.
Handlers are well familiar with signs of distress such as puffing up body feathers, behaving
lethargically, panting heavily, stiffening posture, or closing eyes while being handled. Because all
attention is focused on the bird during handling, it is quite easy to pick up these signs early.
The exact location of transects, and quadrats is unknown and will depend on birds, foliage cover and
access. We will aim to survey in places for minimal disturbance. We aim to seek advice from parks
personnel on appropriate places to conduct our studies. All study sites will be geo-referenced for
possible later revisit.
The people involved in the study include:
Name
TJ Lawson
Procedures Experience
Highest
Qualification
Class
Banding
certificate
A Capture,
handling,
swabbing,
banding
Has Class A permit (Authority number
2876), has done blood work, lavage
(including lavaging young seabirds such
as albatross spp. and penguin spp. She
has handled thousands of birds from
large raptors to hummingbirds –
information on file at ABBBS – please
contact if further information required
0408 748 224. She has been working
with seabirds since 1991 and has
experience studying seabirds in their
marine environments as well as on
breeding sites, working in diverse
environments including coastal North
American islands, remote sites such as
Midway Atoll and multiples sites in the
Antarctic. Researcher Hardesty has
successfully lavaged multiples species of
seabird chicks and adults, has affixed
multiple types of transmitters (gps,
satellite, temperature, depth recorders
(TDR) with a variety of attachment
methods (backpack harness, tail and
tarsus) as well as colourbands and
aluminium bands to multiple seabird,
shorebird, raptor and passerine species.
Class
Banding
certificate
A Capture,
handling,
swabbing,
banding
Class A banding licence, Authority
number 1656 (since 1990). He is
presently involved in shorebird,
seabird and passerine banding projects
in which he personally handles and
bands up to 500 birds a year
Class
Banding
certificate
C Capture,
handling,
swabbing,
banding
Class C banding license for birds: 4yrs
banding and blood work experience (i.e.:
taking blood samples)