The Shy Albatross is the only Albatross species which is endemic to Tasmania. They only breed on three islands all of which are off Tasmania's coast.

Federal Minister for Environment Sussan Ley said although significant progress had been made in mitigating threats, through the protection of breeding sites and reductions in bycatch from commercial longline fishing, significant threats still remained.

"Bycatch in other commercial fisheries, disease and competition with other seabirds were all key factors in my decision to list the species as endangered," she said.

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Bird Life Tasmania convener Dr Eric Woehler said he hopes the upgraded conservation status will lead to increased government support.

"We've seen many of the world's species of Albatross' being listed as endangered on the basis of the massive bycatch on oceanic long line fisheries," he said.

"The state and federal governments need to be congratulated for past efforts that have already seen a decrease in the threats to the Albatross' at least in Australia waters.

"The listing of the species as endangered should provide more resources for research, for conservation efforts, it is not a good look to have a species uplisted."

Humane Society International senior campaign manager Alexia Wellbelove said the uplisting was 'good news' because it recognised the plight of the species.

"It actually recognises what is happening on the ground which is that the beautiful birds are highly threatened," she said.

"We are hoping that this higher threat status will mean more money can be diverted to help protect them and recover the species."

She said Australia had a unique opportunity to control threats.

"Unlike many Albatross which range quite fair internationally or breed in New Zealand and fly around the world, the Shy Albatross breeds solely in Australia," Ms Wellbelove said.

"It is really within our power to control those breeding sights, to protect those as much as possible and to reduce the threats as much as possible."

Federal Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said the announcement highlighted the fact we are in a biodiversity crisis.

He said along with warming oceans and commercial fishing plastics also pose a threat to the species.

"Single-use plastics are a killer in our oceans - that's why I have a bill before parliament that will ban the single use plastics most damaging to our marine life," senator Whish-Wilson said.