Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01314:reg:2013:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01314
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2013 (pt 19/24)
Character Range: 70620–73663

mitigate this incidental mortality within the area of known interaction in the Western Australian Rock Lobster Fishery
since the 2006/2007 fishing season (Campbell, et al., 2008b). The potential levels of
interaction of the Australian sea lion with demersal gillnet fisheries off Western Australia
is also being investigated.

10 Effects on Other Native Species or Ecological Communities

Minimising threats to the Australian sea lion may benefit other marine species that share the same breeding and/or foraging habitat.

Actions to reduce fisheries interactions may have benefits for other species listed under the EPBC Act that potentially interact with fisheries including other pinnipeds (seals), cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), seabirds, sharks and some marine turtles.

Habitat protection resulting from this plan may also benefit species that share habitat with the Australian sea lion, for example the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri).

Implementation of this plan could have implications for little penguin (Eudyptula minor) colonies within the range of foraging Australian sea lions. The recent recovery of New Zealand fur seal populations has been reported to coincide with a reduction in numbers of little penguins at some colonies. Although both Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals are known to hunt little penguins, they have only been occasionally reported in the diet of Australian sea lions (McIntosh et al. 2006; Wiebkin, 2011).Therefore, a recovery in Australian sea lion populations is unlikely to place further pressure on little penguin colonies. Little penguins
are a listed marine species under the EPBC Act.

11 Duration and Cost of the Recovery Process

It is anticipated that the recovery process will not be achieved prior to the scheduled five year review of the recovery plan. The Recovery Plan for the Australian Sea Lion will therefore remain in place until such time that the population has improved to the point that it no longer meets threatened species status under the EPBC Act.

The cost of implementation of this plan should be incorporated into the core business expenditure of the affected organisations and through additional funds obtained for the explicit purpose of implementing this recovery plan. It is expected that state and Commonwealth agencies will use this plan to prioritise actions to protect the species and enhance its recovery, and that projects will be undertaken according to agency priorities and available resources. Actions which cross jurisdictional boundaries (i.e. states and Commonwealth) may be funded jointly on agreement by relevant parties.

12 Affected
Interests

Organisations likely to be affected by the actions proposed in this plan include:
Commonwealth and state government agencies — particularly those involved with
environmental and fisheries concerns — commercial and recreational fishers; researchers;
tourism operators; conservation groups; wildlife