Flesh-footed Shearwaters nest only on islands in the southern Indian Ocean and the southwest Pacific Ocean. Their at-sea distribution is poorly known, but is believed to range widely across the western Pacific Ocean to the Aleutian Islands, with small numbers off the west coast of North America from late April through November (Wahl et al. 2005, Howell 2012). Very small numbers of Flesh-footed Shearwaters have been observed off the coast of British Columbia, all between May and early October. Data are not sufficient to determine a change in the population status in Canada relative to about 1970. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Flesh-footed Shearwaters are at risk from fisheries-induced mortality throughout their marine distribution. In waters off the east coast of Australia, it was estimated that longline fisheries kill 1,800-4,500 annually, threatening the persistence of some populations (Baker and Wise 2005). Bycatch of Flesh-footed Shearwaters in New Zealand waters was considered to be lower (Taylor 2000). It has been suggested that the species is vulnerable to longline fisheries in the North Pacific during the non-breeding season (Baker and Wise 2005). Loss of nesting habitat at Lord Howe Island off the coast of Australia has resulted in a reduction in the breeding population (Priddel et al. 2006). In addition, road-based mortality of adults on Lord Howe is likely reducing adult survival, and there is evidence to suggest that breeding success is being negatively impacted by marine debris and plastics ingestion (Reid et al. 2013, Lavers et al. 2014).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.