Are red-footed boobies Sula sula at risk from harvesting by humans on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean? Original Research Article

The red-footed booby, Sula sula, has been hunted in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, eastern Indian Ocean, since first settlement in 1827. Formerly present throughout the islands, an estimated 30,000 pairs now breed only on isolated and uninhabited North Keeling Island. Despite legislative protection, illegal hunting for food remains a major conservation threat. Informants estimated that 2000–3000 birds are killed in most years and possibly as many as 10,000 in some years. Analysis of nest count data collected between 1985 and 2002 to assess long-term population trends showed no evidence of decline in nesting density. There was large inter-annual variation with substantial fluctuations which tended to be greater following significant cyclonic events. These results indicate that the level of illegal harvest during the study period has not negatively impacted the booby nesting population. Future management of seabird harvesting requires improved knowledge on the populationʹs capacity to sustain harvesting, together with increased enforcement activity to control illegal harvest, and enhanced education programs to encourage change in community attitudes.