**Abstract:**

Seabirds are attracted to fishing vessels through the availability of fishery discards, increasing the risk of injury or mortality from interactions with fishing gear. However, it is difficult to estimate what proportion of the population may be at risk. We use DNA metabarcoding of scats to characterise the intra- and inter-annual variability in the diet of shy albatross at Albatross Island, and combine this dietary data with foraging range estimates to examine spatial overlaps and species overlaps between albatross and fisheries in the region. Shy albatross diet consisted predominantly of fish (93% of samples) and cephalopods (38% of samples), with 84 fish and 11 cephalopod species detected. The majority of food was sourced naturally, however, at least 13% of the population overall is sourcing food from fisheries, with up to 29% during some breeding stages. There were spatial overlaps between shy albatross and six Commonwealth managed fisheries operating in South-East Australia and two Tasmanian managed fisheries. There was considerable intra-annual variation in the level of engagement with the Commonwealth fishery, but little inter-annual variability. Blue Grenadier, Ling and Warehou sp. were the main Commonwealth managed fishery discard species consumed. This study highlights that fisheries still pose a risk for shy albatross in Australian waters. As the majority of albatross food is sourced naturally, it shows that albatross are unlikely to be reliant on discards, therefore a reduction in discard availability would benefit shy albatross populations and improve the sustainability of fisheries in the region. DNA dietary analysis in conjunction with spatial foraging data provides a valuable tool to assess the proportion of a population at risk from fishing operations.

**Authors:**

Julie McInnes¹, Geoff Tuck², Rachael Alderman³

¹University of Tasmania, ²CSIRO, ³Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Using scat DNA to inform sustainable fisheries management and Ecological Risk Assessments: a Shy Albatross case study

**Abstract:**

Identifying the species diversity of an ecosystem provides valuable insights into the impact of environmental changes, as well as ecosystem recovery. A large proportion of petrels and prions are listed as threatened, however, these species are often cryptic breeders and difficult to study. We assessed the value of incorporating DNA methods into field surveys to identify burrowing petrel species and distribution by using scats and feather samples collected near burrows as part of a monitoring program on Macquarie Island. A total of 330 samples were collected, with burrowing petrel DNA identified in 280 samples. Both scats and feathers yielded sufficient DNA to identify species. DNA from eight burrowing petrel species was identified across the island, including diving petrels and fairy prions that have rarely been detected on the main island. As well as species identification, this study found potential intra-specific genetic differences between the Macquarie Island population and voucher specimens previously collected on other sub Antarctic islands. This study highlights the utility of DNA methods to assess species diversity and distribution, and could be incorporated into future burrowing petrel studies to complement ground surveys.

**Authors:**

Julie McInnes¹, Jez Bird², Bruce Deagle³, Polanowski Andrea³, Justine Shaw²

¹University of Tasmania, ²University of Queensland, ³Australian Antarctic Division

Detecting cryptic burrowing petrels recovery post eradication in a remote landscape

**Abstract:**

Ecosystem monitoring programs that aim to support the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem function require a sound knowledge of species composition and food web linkages. This information provides a foundation for assessing ecosystem changes. Seals and seabirds respond to changes in the availability of lower trophic levels, making these predators ideal indicator species to monitor change. Dietary studies provide a mechanism to assess these ecosystem changes as well as the marine biodiversity of a region. DNA metabarcoding of predator scats is a non-invasive tool that allows the simultaneous investigation of the diet of different predator species, increasing our understanding of ecosystem connectivity and food web structure. However, the success of these programs relies on careful selection of candidate species, utilisation of appropriate molecular markers, availability of reference sequences and incorporation of DNA data into food web networks. By simultaneously studying the diet of various predators on Macquarie Island, we aim to develop a marine ecosystem monitoring framework using scat DNA to assess biodiversity of prey species in the sub-Antarctic. Through the collation of baseline and new dietary data, we will provide a sound foundation for future monitoring programs measuring change in marine species diversity.

**Authors:**

Julie McInnes¹, Bruce Deagle², Andrea Polanowski³, Ben Raymond³, Sam Thalmann⁴, Rowan Trebilco², Barbara Wienecke³, Mary-Anne Lea¹

¹University of Tasmania, ²CSIRO, ³Australian Antarctic Division, ⁴Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment

DNA-based diet analysis of sub-Antarctic predators to assess food-web linkages and ecosystem change

**Session Replay:** [Click here](https://zoom.us/rec/share/OEE6XwAeUCIMetKo4FPI2kTmPUMAjYfqgiWfmrJ7eKj5gU4f7ExV3dMLmgTYs4EM.q0DgFUqqNLfcmkVk?startTime=1633651714000)<br><br>
 
<i>**Session Chair: **Rob Suryan </i><br><br> 



Fisheries Interaction II

technical paper

Welcome Seabirders!  

Welcome to Virtual World Seabird Conference 3 - vWSC3! Whether you are in your office or lab, at home, in a coffee shop or bar poaching some wifi, or at a remote field site or research vessel – we are very excited to welcome you to the third ever World Seabird Conference. 

We would like to thank ALL of you for being so patient as WSC3 was scheduled, postponed, rescheduled, revised to virtual, and scheduled again. Throughout all those iterations there was one message that remained perfectly clear – seabirders were eager to meet and share their science. If we could not meet in person then virtual it would have to be, but a 3rd WSC was something everyone wanted. That support and commitment helped the WSU Board of Directors and Member Societies sort through all of the challenges they faced to plan and hold this conference. 

The list of those that need to be thanked is long and, while we plan on recognizing many during the live closing plenary, it is important to do so here in writing as well. 

The Australasian Seabird Group was our Local Host for our plan to meet in Hobart, Tasmania. They invested substantial time and effort to find venues and plan events that we unfortunately were not able to visit. Nonetheless we appreciate their work on behalf of WSC3 and encourage all of you to thank them when you see their members in Gathertown or elsewhere during our virtual meeting. Their willingness to host created the initial excitement for WSC3 and without that our vWSC would not have been possible.

We also wish to thank the Science Program Committee, the Virtual Committee, and the Early Career Scientist Committee for their hard work planning the logistics, events, and schedule for vWSC3. These committees also had to deal with changing parameters and short timelines that made what is always a challenging task even more challenging. The Travel Awards Committee also invested time and effort in developing procedures for awarding travel funds that ultimately would not be implemented. 

Our ability to shift from an in-person to a virtual meeting, and to do so in a way that would be financially feasible, was due to the effective efforts of The International Fundraising Committee and to our financial sponsors. The IFC raised funds to support WSC3 and then, through the good relationships they built with sponsors, ensured we could re-envision how those funds could be used to support a virtual conference that would be affordable and high-quality.

We all owe the WSU Board of Directors and the Representatives of the Member Societies a great deal of thanks. They are the ones who manage the WSU and, for the past 18 months, have had to have a series of challenging meetings and conversations, have had to make a series of difficult choices, have had to do all of that while considering the short- and long-term health of WSU and the World Seabird Conferences, and did this while also managing their own challenges at their day jobs. We are grateful for their diligence, patience, foresight, and throughout all of the meetings, their collegiality. Also – a 6-year term is quite a commitment!

There would not be a WSC3 without a successful WSC1 and WSC2. Thanks go to the Pacific Seabird Group for their support of WSC1 in Victoria, Canada, and to the African Seabird Group for their support of WSC2 in Cape Town, South Africa. In each of these endeavors and for our current conference we were fortunate to work with a dependable and trustworthy partner in Podium Conferences. Michelle Smith and Marischal de Armond have become valued members of our team and have not only helped us plan conferences but have assisted and advised the WSU Chairs and Board on issues above and beyond conference planning. 

As we embark on our vWSC3 week we extend to all of you our thanks for showing up, for being patient, and most importantly for the work you do with seabirds. We are all part of a unique, global community that shares an interest, a fascination, and a passion for birds that make a living in our world’s oceans. We have advanced the science, conservation, and management of seabirds as well the ecosystems they inhabit. We are consistently impressed and motivated by the work you do. 

The WSU formed in 2010 because we saw the need for a global organization to address challenges at a global level. Over the past 11 years WSU has grown, adapted, and evolved to become the community that this week is making vWSC3 a reality. Enjoy the week, appreciate and support the friends and colleagues you have made in the community, and if you see us in a virtual hallway please stop and say hello! 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve all of you and the WSU over the past few years,

Nicholas Carlile, Interim Chair, WSU<br>
Patrick Jodice, 2nd Chair of the WSU<br><br>

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3rd World Seabird Conference

Join us for four days of science, networking and virtual engagement with delegates from around the world!

Julie McInnes

3

SHORT BIO

Presentations

Using scat DNA to inform sustainable fisheries management and Ecological Risk Assessments: a Shy Albatross case study

Detecting cryptic burrowing petrels recovery post eradication in a remote landscape

DNA-based diet analysis of sub-Antarctic predators to assess food-web linkages and ecosystem change

Stay up to date with the latest Underline news!

PRESENTATIONS

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