Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633:body:0:p39
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 115681–122992

occupancy. Acoustic noise can be generated by vessels, industrial and seismic noise. To address noise from shipping, vessel movements in blue whale aggregation areas need to be quantified, with particular emphasis on regions that are characterised by high shipping traffic.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: Improved understanding of the impacts of noise on blue whales and minimise the exposure of blue whales to anthropogenic noise.
Risks: The long-term impact of noise on blue whales may be difficult to assess. This is due to a limited understanding of the long-term effects of noise exposure and of when and to what extent blue whales are exposed to noise. This depends on the characteristic of the noise, environmental factors and the distance of the whales to the noise source. While an understanding of noise impacts may be improved during the time frame of this plan, it is likely to not be clarified in its full extent.
Likelihood of success: Moderate

Action Area A.3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Priority
Understanding impacts of climate variability and change                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Pygmy                    High
Antarctic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 High
Action
Continue to meet Australia's international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and regulate the krill fishery in Antarctica.
Recovery Targets addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Threats to be mitigated
 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       B
Description
Climate change may cause changes in the migratory timing and destinations, habitat occupancy, breeding schedules, reproductive success and survival of blue whales. Rapid climate change and ocean acidification is also likely to have an impact on krill, the principle component of a blue whale's diet. Australia's broader policy actions will attempt to combat climate change and manage sustainably the Antarctic krill fishery.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: Australia continues its commitment to combat climate change and retains strong engagement within the CCAMLR to sustainably manage the krill fishery in Antarctica.
Risks: Actions at the global scale will not be sufficient to affect the current rate of climate change.
Likelihood of success: Moderate.

Action Area A.4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Priority
Minimising vessel collisions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pygmy                    High
Antarctic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           High
Action
1. Develop a national vessel strike strategy that investigates the risk of vessel strike on blue whales and also identifies potential mitigation measures.
2. Ensure all vessel strike incidents are reported in the National Ship Strike Database.
3. Ensure the risk of vessel strikes on blue whales is considered when assessing actions that increase vessel traffic in areas where blue whales occur and, if required, appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
Recovery Targets addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Threats to be mitigated
2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  E
Description
An increase in shipping activities in Australian waters suggests the probability of vessel strike involving blue whales may increase. Due to limited information on the abundance and population trend of blue