Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2005L01892:body:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2005L01892
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 18894–22081

to measure population abundance, trends and recovery for Australian populations of blue, fin and sei whales
       * Included within this activity will be the need to:
              + establish models for measuring the recovery and status of blue whales, incorporating a range of indicators (e.g. population numbers, structure, use of habitats etc);
              + engage in the IWC southern ocean survey process to determine meaningful population estimates for fin and sei whales;
              + gather information on population structures and limits – e.g. through the use of genetic analysis; and
              + continue to collect long-term data sets using standardised survey methodologies for blue whales in a statistically robust manner.

Habitat use and needs
  2.      Implement a program to better define the characteristics (spatial, temporal, physical) of calving, feeding, and migratory areas
       * Included within this activity will be the need to:
              + gather information on movements, migrations, and feeding grounds – e.g. through the use of satellite tracking, acoustic monitoring and other survey methods; and
              + determine the values and characteristics of important migratory pathways and aggregation areas (calving, resting, and feeding) particularly in areas where human use is likely to impact upon the species.

Protection from threats
  3.      Prevent commercial whaling and/or the expansion of scientific whaling
      * Australia should maintain its position on promoting high levels of protection for blue, fin and sei whales in all relevant international agreements including the IWC, CITES, CMS, fisheries-related agreements, and Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM).
      * Australia should continue to support a ban on directed take of blue, fin and sei whales.

  4.      Protect habitat important to the survival of the species
       * Ensure that in areas important to the survival of the species environmental assessment process and research activities are in place to determine the level of impact and threat of human activities, and implement management measures to ensure the ongoing recovery of each species. This should include, but not be limited to, the following actions:
              + assess and manage acoustic disturbance – including the development and application of administrative guidelines under the EPBC Act such as the "Guidelines on the application of the EPBC Act to interactions between offshore seismic operations and larger cetaceans";
              + encourage best practice approaches that will reduce the likelihood of blue, fin and sei whales being entangled in marine debris, fishing and aquaculture equipment. If entanglements occur, manage the impact of individual entanglements where possible through the application of national standards for disentangling large cetaceans;
              + ensure that habitat requirements of blue, fin and sei whales are considered in the establishment and management of marine conservation areas and reserves;
              + manage the potential impacts of tourism – e.g. through the application of consistent Commonwealth and State tourism