Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01763:reg:10:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01763
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 10 (pt 3/4)
Character Range: 108888–112234

at: http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/kakadu-draft-management-plan
The three sawfish and two river shark species are also protected across their range in state waters and in the Northern Territory. Details of protection measures afforded to these species in each jurisdiction, including state marine parks that afford protection, can be obtained from the relevant state or territory agency; the classifications of these species in state legislation are summarised in Table 2.

     10.2          Marine bioregional plans
Marine bioregional plans have been prepared under section 176 of the EPBC Act for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions in Commonwealth waters around Australia. Each marine bioregional plan describes the conservation values of the region, identifies and characterises the pressures affecting these conservation values and identifies regional priorities and outlines strategies to address them. As part of the marine bioregional planning process, sawfish and river sharks have been identified as 'conservation values' in both the North and the North-west marine regions (DSEWPaC, 2012a, b). The pressures affecting sawfish and river sharks have been identified and characterised for these regions. In addition, Schedule 2 of both the North and North-West marine bioregional plans include guidance for people planning to undertake actions that have the potential to impact on sawfish and river sharks within these regions. Further information on marine bioregional planning is available on the department's website at: www.environment.gov.au/coasts/marineplans/index.html.
As part of the marine bioregional planning process biologically important areas have been identified for a number of species, including sawfish and river sharks. Biologically important areas are areas that are particularly important for the conservation of protected species and where aggregations of individuals display biologically important behaviour such as breeding, foraging, resting or migration. The presence of the observed behaviour is assumed to indicate that the habitat required for the behaviour is also present. Biologically important areas for sawfish have been identified in the North West Marine Bioregional Plan, and are available in the conservation values atlas at: www.environment.gov.au/coasts/marineplans/cva/index.html

     10.3          Commonwealth marine reserves
Marine reserves (also known as marine protected areas or marine parks) are parts of the ocean that are managed primarily for the conservation of their ecosystems, habitats and the marine life they support, and ecologically sustainable use. Forty new Commonwealth marine reserves were declared around Australia in November 2012. The new Commonwealth marine reserves network includes examples of all of Australia's marine ecosystems. Management plans will be developed for each regional marine reserves network and for the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Transitional management arrangements are in place until new management plans are developed and come into effect. Information on transitional arrangements is available at: www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves/index.html.
The Commonwealth marine reserves network protects