Population sizes of shearwaters (Puffinus spp.) breeding in New Zealand, with recommendations for monitoring: Tuhinga 24

Tuhinga 24: 159-204

ABSTRACT: We reviewed population data for the nine taxa of shearwaters Puffinus spp. that nest in the New Zealand region. Data for about 350 current breeding colonies were found, and each taxon nested at between three and about 180 localities. We reviewed the information to assess time-series of information for each population and, where possible, to determine trend and total population size. However, few of the species had robust enough information to allow those assessments to be made. We recommend high-priority sites for future monitoring, and encourage other researchers to publish or make available findings from previous work to assist in building a comprehensive picture of the status of shearwater populations.

KEYWORDS: New Zealand, shearwaters, Puffinus, population sizes, monitoring, review.