Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930:reg:5:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 5 (pt 10/11)
Character Range: 264931–270569

Watson et al. 2021). Such movements indicate that connectivity of coastal habitat is important for southern right whales and given connectivity may be disrupted temporarily or permanently by human activities, it is important conservation planning considers the importance of connecting coastal habitat as well as aggregation areas.
Australia is a partner of the IWC-SORP research consortium and collaborates on research themes such as 'The right sentinel for climate change: linking foraging ground variability to population recovery in the southern right whale' that links southern right whale population dynamics and health with foraging ecology. Continued collaboration in this research consortium will support improved understanding of the factors influencing southern right whale recovery in Australian waters.
Within the period of this plan
Measure of success
    1. Indicative foraging areas used by whales that breed in Australian coastal waters and migratory pathways to Australian coastal breeding areas are spatially identified and mapped.

Risks: A high level of mixing between southern right whales that breed in Australian waters and nearby countries (i.e., New Zealand), and low sample sizes, hinder a comprehensive understanding of migratory movements and offshore distribution.
Likelihood of success: Moderate.

Action Area B4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Priority
Improve capability of First Nation Australians, research, citizen science, and general community groups to assist management of southern right whales.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   High

Action
    1. Improve recognition, awareness, and understanding of First Nation Australians cultural connections with whales, including southern right whales.
    2. Assess the level of interest of Traditional Owner groups in the monitoring, conservation, and management of southern right whales by consulting relevant indigenous groups and organisations that occur within the species' range.
    3. Improve active participation of interested Traditional Owner groups in the monitoring, conservation, and management of southern right whales.
    4. Provide advice, education, and support, to research organisations, citizen science groups, and volunteer and community groups regarding management of southern right whales, including providing a greater awareness of the Recovery Plan.
    5. Investigate establishment of a Recovery Team, consisting of a collaboration of key partners to coordinate implementation of the Recovery Plan.
Interim objectives addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Threats to be mitigated
3, 4, 5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
Description
Southern right whales spend their breeding season on the Sea Country of numerous Traditional Owner groups, although the cultural and customary significance of the species across their range is not well documented. Further consultation with the Traditional Owners of these lands will benefit the conservation of the species by providing awareness of traditional knowledge and management practices on Country. It is important to obtain an understanding of the level of engagement in the monitoring, conservation, and management of southern right whales by consulting relevant indigenous people and organisations that occur within the species' range.