Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389:body:0:p17
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01389
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 48446–51664

targeted invasive weed and fauna management programs. This may include control programs for yellow crazy ants (subject to 3.3.6.d)

    3.1.12       Develop and implement strict biosecurity measures to assess and minimise the risk of the introduction and establishment of new invasive species and pathogens. This will include:

       (a)      assessing the likelihood of particular species entering, as well as entry pathways

       (b)      reducing the likelihood of introducing species and pathogens when staff and visitors enter the park

       (c)       monitoring for the early detection of species and pathogens that may enter the park, in particular scale insects, rats and siam weed

       (d)      rapidly controlling and, where feasible, eradicating any new invasive species detected in the park. Target species include but are not limited to rats, mice and Siam weed

       (e)      reducing and/or assessing risks of rehabilitated and returned seabirds introducing invasive species (especially diseases and pathogens) into wild seabird populations and/or the park.

    3.1.13       So far as is practicable, implement or support the implementation of relevant EPBC recovery plans and relevant threat abatement plans for listed threatened species and key threatening processes.

    3.1.14       Support and/or facilitate the establishment of ex situ populations of selected native species, particularly the buff-banded rail and flora species for rehabilitation purposes.

    3.1.15       If EPBC Act listed species or other significant species are in decline to a level that may threaten their conservation status, the Director will:

       a)        evaluate existing and potential threats and implement appropriate mitigation measures

       b)        if threats are not known or are unlikely to be mitigated for some time, assess the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing interventionist measures, such as ex-situ conservation and species reintroduction, that have the long-term aim of conserving the species in their natural environment.

    3.1.16       Undertake risk and impact assessments of the potential and any actual impacts of unauthorised arrivals and use of the park, and implement appropriate risk and impact mitigation measures (See also Section 6, Stakeholders and partnerships).

    3.2              Marine ecosystems and species

Background
Values
The park contains marine habitats that were once common to other parts of the Indo-Pacific region. The park is unaffected by development pressures now seen on similar coral atolls in many other parts of the region and the world generally.
In 2009 the Department commissioned a study titled Conservation values in Commonwealth waters of the Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Island remote territories. The study indicated that the marine environment is highly unique with many potential deep-ocean ecological systems that we have very little understanding of, particularly deep-water and other systems below scuba diving depth.
Scientific surveys have shown that the Cocos (Keeling) Islands fall within a marine suture zone where interbreeding may occur between Indian and Pacific Ocean fish species. This has resulted in