Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006L03939:body:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006L03939
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 23022–26134

for control programs should be investigated.

   Action 7. Reassess conservation status in the absence of further records.

If Lister's Gecko and/or the blind snake are not found within 2 years of implementing Actions 1 and 2, compile comprehensive information on the species to support reassessment of their conservation status under the EPBC Act. If either species is found, the information for reassessment of status should be compiled at the end of 5 years.

Action 8. Review quarantine protocols for all personnel and matériel entering Christmas Island

Through review and consultation involving AQIS, PAN, DOTARS and the Christmas Island community, where necessary quickly develop and implement stricter policies, guidelines and procedures to further minimise the potential introduction of new weeds, exotic animal species and pathogens to Christmas Island. Because oceanic islands with high levels of biotic endemicity are especially susceptible to rapid degradation by invasive species, quarantine policies and procedures should be at least as rigorous as those applying to people, livestock and goods entering continental Australia.

Costs

The estimated total cost of the recovery program is $265,000 over five years. Costs are to supplement existing survey, monitoring and threat abatement programs by including species-specific components ($125,000), to conduct annual specialist targeted surveys in first 2 years ($40,000), to cover reviews of quarantine proposals, pest control programs and population information ($10,000) and to initiate (commencing in year 3 if the species are located) an autecological study of either or both species ($90,000). If neither species is located in the first 2 years, this component will be deferred or dispensed with. Note that by supplementing existing programs, cross-benefits will assist in the conservation and recovery of all endemic reptiles and other endemic, near-threatened and threatened taxa on Christmas Island.

                Year 1   Year 2   Year 3   Year 4   Year 5   Total
Total required  $45,000  $55,000  $55,000  $55,000  $55,000  $265,000

Biodiversity Benefits

The actions set out in this Recovery Plan are intended to (a) acquire, through survey and research, the information needed to identify the current status, principal threats and species-specific recovery actions for these two species, and (b) assess potential threats to the integrity of those Christmas Island habitats and ecosystems in which both species have been known to occur. Both groups of actions, but especially the latter, have the potential to benefit all of the threatened and 'at risk' elements of Christmas Island's native biota, especially if integrated into existing and future enhanced biodiversity monitoring and conservation programs being conducted by PAN.

Management Actions

Without detailed knowledge of the species, specific management actions cannot be prescribed, however, generic actions which may aid the recovery of Lister's Gecko and the Christmas Island Blind Snake include:
    1. Increasing community awareness of native threatened species