Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01506:reg:2013:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01506
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2013 (pt 7/32)
Character Range: 18229–21206

an ongoing need for a recovery plan under the EPBC Act
   * the recovery plan needs to be varied to ensure further protection for the species.

A review of the 2002 White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) Recovery Plan was completed in November 2008 (DEWHA 2009). The review can be downloaded from the department's website at: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-list-common.html

The review found that progress had been made on most of the 34 actions listed in the 2002 white shark recovery plan. Of the 34 actions, 14 have been completed, nine have been partially completed, four are ongoing, four have had minimal action recorded against them and three have not been initiated. A summary of the status of the actions identified in the 2002 white shark recovery plan is provided at Appendix 2.

The review noted that since the introduction of the 2002 white shark recovery plan, the number of instances of white shark mortality in the commercial fishing sector appeared to be decreasing and there have been no reports of incidental white shark take in Commonwealth or state waters from the recreational fishing sector. Limited official reporting of interactions is likely to reflect the low encounter rate with white sharks but it may also reflect a lack of reporting of interactions when they do occur. Continuation of efforts to raise awareness of the reporting requirements for protected species interactions is a priority.

Despite modest progress against some of the listed actions, the review concluded that since 2002 there had been no reliable published information suggesting the white shark population in Australian waters was recovering. The review considered the lack of documented recovery was not unexpected given the white shark's low reproductive rate, ongoing uncertainty about the size of the population, and the relatively short period of time since the original recovery plan
was made.

Considering the lack of evidence supporting a recovery of white shark numbers, the review provided no reason to alter the white shark's current status as vulnerable under the EPBC Act. The review also concluded that a new recovery plan should be developed for the white shark to remove the completed actions and include new conservation priorities.

The present (revised) recovery plan builds on the 2002 White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) Recovery Plan (EA 2002) and was developed by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) in consultation with representatives from Australian and state government agencies, commercial and recreational fishers, environment non-government organisations and research agencies.

An accompanying issues paper has been developed to provide detailed background
information on the biology, population status and threats to the white shark, as well as to
identify research and management priorities. The 2013 Recovery Plan for the White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in