Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641:body:0:p79
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 481479–497579

site at Lacrosse Island, this stock is likely one of the largest flatback turtle stocks. Average nesting abundance at Cape Domett is estimated at 3250 females per year[238], which is comparable to the largest known flatback turtle aggregation at Crab Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria[214]. The nesting habitat for the Cape Domett stock has been recommended for protection within the Western Australian Ord River Nature Reserve. This Nature Reserve is managed in collaboration with the Balanggarra and Miriuwung Gajerrong people.
A study on climate change impacts suggests that male-biased sex ratios are more likely at Cape Domett than at other rookeries, but like other rookeries, the projected warming trend over the longer term may result in feminisation[212]. There are also concerns that this stock may not have range expansion opportunities if nesting habitat is impacted by sea level rise. Similarly, the highly localised nature of this stock means that they are also more at risk from stochastic events. For example, impacts from chemical and terrestrial discharge are a concern due to the increasing number of oil and gas installations occurring along the Western Australian coast. While the risk of an oil spill is generally considered low, the consequences could be substantial and the risk increases with each activity. The consequences of an oil spill have implications for the immediate heath of marine turtles and their nesting, future nesting, water quality and general turtle health[206]. Cape Domett is currently considered remote, however, the impacts of marine debris are increasing from local and international sources, and marine turtles foraging in these waters are likely to encounter ghost nets[255]. Nest predation by dingoes has been observed at a rate of one clutch per night[238]. There is a suggestion that night herons have the potential to be a major impact because of the large numbers of hatchlings observed being predated[238]. Aboriginal communities have also raised concerns regarding the impacts of tourism, fishing and industrial developments on nesting turtle numbers[11].
Priority actions specifically required to recover this stock                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Action Area
    * Identify and protect areas likely to provide refugia and range expansion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A2
    * Ensure that spill risk strategies and response programs include management for turtles and their habitats, particularly in reference to slow to recover habitats, e.g. nesting beaches and important foraging grounds.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     A4

    * Continue long-term monitoring of index beaches to assess trends in nester abundance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       B1
Measure of success
Trends in nesting turtle abundance are assessed for this stock.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  B1

Flatback – south-west Kimberley (F-swKim)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Unknown
Threats                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             C. Chemical and terrestrial discharge – acute   High
Important nesting areas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Internesting Buffer: 60 km
Major: Eco Beach, Eighty Mile Beach.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Mating: year round
Index beaches monitored: Eco Beach (2008- )[162], Eighty Mile Beach