Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01047:reg:3:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01047
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 4928–8083

3

           1.    Background

Threat abatement plans

Threat abatement plans address key threatening processes listed under section 183 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). A key threatening process is 'a process that threatens or may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of a native species or ecological community'. If the environment minister decides, with advice, that a feasible, effective and efficient way of addressing a listed key threatening process is the development of a threat abatement plan, the Australian Government works with stakeholders to develop a plan under section 270A of the EPBC Act. The EPBC Act describes the process, content and consultation required when making a threat abatement plan.
         The Australian Government implements actions under threat abatement plans that are its direct responsibility. It also guides the implementation of actions where other groups (e.g. state or territory governments, industry or community groups) lead the implementation of a threat abatement plan.
The Australian Government undertakes the threat abatement planning process with assistance from stakeholders including other governments, scientific experts, industry, non-government agencies and the community. To progress actions under the Threat abatement plan for the impacts of marine debris on the vertebrate wildlife of Australia's coasts and oceans, the Australian Government will rely on engagement from all stakeholders involved in this complex problem.

         Plastic debris on Christmas Island Image: © CSIRO

         4  /  Threat Abatement Plan

           Background to this threat abatement plan

           Injury and fatality to vertebrate marine life caused by ingestion of, or entanglement in, harmful marine debris was listed as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act in August 2003.
           Harmful marine debris includes land-sourced garbage, fishing gear from recreational and commercial fishing abandoned or lost to the sea, and vessel-sourced, solid, non-biodegradable floating materials disposed of or lost at sea. Most of these items are made of synthetic plastics. Harmful marine debris is recognised as a ubiquitous, global problem.
           Many industry, government and non-government stakeholders are working to address marine debris and related issues (e.g. through beach clean-up and management of litter and illegal dumping).
           In 2009, a threat abatement plan (TAP) to address the key threatening process was prepared and approved in accordance with the EPBC Act. The primary focus of the TAP was the impact of entanglement and ingestion of marine debris on vertebrate marine life.
           A review of action under the 2009 TAP was completed in 2015. The review concluded that, despite progress, particularly in beach clean-up efforts, the key threatening process had not been abated and the objectives of the 2009 TAP had not been met. Community and non-government stakeholders were noted as key partners in effective action. The review also noted that understanding had increased over