Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641:body:0:p84
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 543569–561224

species of turtle, which means that the low density hawksbill turtle nesting in this region will be affected[136]. Rates of terrestrial predation are not known throughout the remainder of their range. However, goannas are known to occur on most islands throughout the Torres Strait, and anecdotal evidence suggests that predation by goannas is high. Hawksbill turtles foraging in the Great Barrier Reef have high survivorship but appear to be in decline in as a result of breeding migrations outside Australian waters[13]. Changes in ocean circulation, ocean acidification and increased coral bleaching will directly affect the availability of hawksbill turtle foraging habitat and food availability[83].
Priority actions specifically required to recover this stock                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Action Area
    * Work on a regional scale to understand market supply chains and to reduce unsustainable harvest and illegal and unregulated trade.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      A5
    * Liaise at a regional scale to address and reduce the source of marine debris in Australian waters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      A3
    * Ensure clean-up activities are timed appropriately to coincide with on-shore peaks in marine debris (i.e. prior to wet season).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         A3
    * Determine the extent of terrestrial predation on hawksbill turtle nests on islands and where necessary undertake nest protection programs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              A6
    * Quantify and model how changes in ambient temperatures (sand and water), sea level, frequency of extreme weather events, ocean circulation and acidification affect marine turtle nesting, sex ratios, hatching success, habitats, food availability and their ability adapt to these changes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          A2

    * Initiate and continue long-term monitoring of multiple index beaches to assess trends in nester abundance and determine whether trends observed at Milman Island are representative of the stock.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       B1
    * Continue and initiate long-term monitoring at important foraging grounds to assess efficacy of management programs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     B2
Measure of success
Determine whether trends observed at Milman Island are representative of the stock                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            B1

Hawksbill – north-east Arnhem Land (H-neArn)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Unknown[146]
Threats                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   B. Marine debris – entanglement        Very high
E. International take – outside Australia's jurisdiction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Very high
A. Climate change and variability                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         High
D. Terrestrial predation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  High
I. Indigenous take                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        High
Important nesting areas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Internesting Buffer: 20 km
Major: Truant and Bromby Islands, and the Groote Eylandt area[105, 136].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Mating: year round
Minor: Many minor nesting areas in close proximity to major nesting beaches, also mainland beaches in north-east Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula[136].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Nesting: May–Nov (peak Aug)[105]
Index beaches monitored: None currently monitored. Census data: Groote Eylandt (1997, 2009-2010)[105], Cobourg Peninsula[136].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Hatching: year round (peak: Aug–Nov)
Foraging habitat
Post-hatchling/young juveniles: Unknown.
Juvenile-adult: Tidal and sub-tidal coral and rocky reef habitats where they feed on algae, sponges and soft corals. Hawksbill turtles can be found in clear or turbid water, on reefs, seagrass meadows or on soft-bottom habitats[18].
Foraging grounds monitored: