Seasonal Abundance and Spatial Distribution of Albatrosses off Central New South Wales

Abstract

Between April 1985 and March 1987, albatrosses were censused during 25 one-day transects over the continental shelf and slope off Wollongong, New South Wales. The relative abundance of common species was as follows: Black-browed Diomedea melanophrys 54%, Yellow-nosed D. chlororhynchos 34%, Wandering D. exulans 6% and Shy D. cauta 6%. Numbers of these albatrosses were seasonally highest in winter or spring and spatially highest over pelagic water. Black-browed, Yellow-nosed and Shy had highest rates of encounter over the upper slope (depth 200-1500 m) whereas Wandering was encountered most frequently over the lower slope (depth 1500-4200 m). Observation details of four irregular species are reported. The abundance of Black-browed and Yellow-nosed Albatrosses was negatively correlated with sea surface and ambient air temperatures. A preliminary assessment of the latitudinal abundance of common species off New South Wales is presented.