The Fiji petrel was originally known from one immature specimen found in 1855 on Gau Island, Fiji by naturalist John MacGillivray on board HMS Herald who took the carcass to the British Museum in London.

It was rediscovered in 1983, since when there have been a further 21 records, which included the capture and photographing of one adult in April 1984.

This species is classified as critically endangered as it is inferred from the number of records that there is only a tiny population of less than 50 confined to a very small breeding area.

The rarity and significance of this species is known to local residents of Gau and it is featured on a Fijian bank note, as well as featuring in the logo for now-defunct Air Fiji.

In May 2009, the first photographs of the bird at sea were taken approximately 25 nautical miles (46 km) south of Gau Island.