Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01314:reg:2013:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01314
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2013 (pt 9/24)
Character Range: 22338–25757

but are likely to exacerbate the effects of anthropogenic threats to populations and contribute to slow recovery of populations. Due to the extreme philopatry of females and limited dispersal of males between breeding colonies, the removal of only a few individuals annually may increase the likelihood of decline and potentially lead to the extinction of some of the smaller colonies. Extinction of breeding colonies has the potential to further reduce genetic diversity and the already limited genetic flow between colonies. This, in turn, may weaken the genetic resilience of the species and impact on its ability to cope with other natural or anthropogenic impacts. In addition, the extreme philopatry of females suggests that extinction of breeding colonies may lead to a contraction of the range of the species as re-colonisation of breeding sites via immigration is limited.

A total of 58 sites have been identified as breeding colonies and are considered to be
habitat critical to the survival of the species because they are used to meet essential life
cycle requirements (i.e. breeding). For the reasons outlined above, small breeding colonies
are under particular pressure of survival from even low levels of anthropogenic mortality.
This is particularly relevant as there are 33 breeding colonies (of the total of 58 breeding colonies) producing fewer than 30 pups per breeding season across the range of the
Australian sea lion. It is therefore important to protect all 58 breeding colonies.
Nevertheless, it may be necessary to prioritise monitoring of colonies on the basis
of logistical ease of access and resilience of populations to potential disturbance
from monitoring.

8 Actions to Achieve the Objectives

Actions identified for the recovery of the species covered by this plan are described below. Some of the objectives are long-term and may not be achieved during the life time of this recovery plan. Priorities assigned to actions should be interpreted as follows:

       Priority 1: Taking prompt action is necessary in order to mitigate the key threats to the Australian sea lion and also provide valuable information to help identify
       long-term population trends.

       Priority 2: Action would provide a more informed basis for the long-term management
       and recovery of the Australian sea lion.

       Priority 3: Action is desirable, but not critical to the recovery of the Australian
       sea lion or assessment of trends in that recovery.

Objective 1: Mitigate interactions between fishing sectors (commercial, recreational and Indigenous) and the Australian sea lion to enable the recovery of all breeding colonies.
Action No.  Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Priority  Performance Criteria                                                                                                                                                                Responsibility
1.1         Implement appropriate management measures (monitoring, management response, compliance and review), such that incidental bycatch in the gillnet sector of the following commercial fisheries does not threaten any colony or sub-population of Australian