Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930:reg:2:p41
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 41/48)
Character Range: 174078–178785

prioritisation process was used to determine the priority for actions outlined in Section 5. Only recovery actions that address the higher risk threats (rated as 'very high' (pink) or 'high' (yellow) priority), and measure recovery and address knowledge gaps, have been developed in this Recovery Plan.

Table 3 Risk prioritisation matrix template.
Likelihood of occurrence (relevant to species)  Consequence

No long-term effect                             Minor        Moderate  Major      Catastrophic

Almost certain                                  Low          Moderate  Very High  Very High     Very High

Likely                                          Low          Moderate  High       Very High     Very High

Possible                                        Low          Moderate  High       Very High     Very High

Unlikely                                        Low          Low       Moderate   High          Very High

Rare or unknown                                 Low          Low       Moderate   High          Very High

Levels of risk and the associated priority for action are defined as follows:

       * Very High – immediate additional mitigation action required.
       * High – additional mitigation action and an adaptive management plan required; the               precautionary principle should be applied.
       * Moderate – obtain additional information and develop additional mitigation action is              required.
       * Low – monitor the threat occurrence and reassess threat level if likelihood or
consequences change.
Categories for likelihood are defined as follows:

       * Almost certain – expected to occur every year.
       * Likely – expected to occur at least once every five years.
       * Possible – might occur at some time.
       * Unlikely – such events are known to have occurred on a worldwide basis but only a
few times.
       * Rare or unknown – may occur only in exceptional circumstances; OR it is currently
unknown how often the incident will occur.
Categories for consequences are defined as follows:

       * No long-term effect – no long-term effect on individuals or populations.
       * Minor – individuals are affected but no affect at population level.
       * Moderate – population recovery slows or stalls.
       * Major – population declines.
       * Catastrophic – population extinction.
Table 4 Western southern right whale population residual risk matrix.
Likelihood of occurrence  Consequences

Not significant           Minor                                               Moderate                                                Major                                                            Catastrophic

Almost certain             -  Anthropogenic underwater noise: aircraft noise   -  Anthropogenic underwater noise: industrial noise *   -  Entanglement: active fishing or aquaculture equipment         -    Anthropogenic climate variability and change
                                                                               -  Anthropogenic underwater noise: vessel noise *       -  Habitat degradation: infrastructure of coastal development
                                                                               -  Collision: whale-watching                            -  Habitat degradation: infrastructure of offshore development
                                                                               -  Collision: recreational vessels
                                                                               -  Pollution: chronic chemical pollution
                                                                               -  Entanglement: marine debris
Likely                                                                         -  Anthropogenic underwater noise: seismic surveys
                                                                               -  Collision: vessel strike
                                                                               -  Pollution: EMF *
Possible

Unlikely                                                                       -  Pollution: acute chemical discharge                                                                                   -  Whaling ◊
                                                                                                                                                                                                        -  Prey depletion from overfishing ◊
Rare or unknown            -   Prey depletion: from seismic survey

  * Given the behavioural impacts on southern right whales are largely unknown, a precautionary approach is applied regarding the assignation of possible