Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633:body:0:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 34847–38173

Whale and Dolphin Watching 2005.
Victoria
In Victoria, blue whales are listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Under the Wildlife Act 1975 it is an offence to kill, injure, take or interfere with a whale.
Western Australia
Blue whales are listed in Western Australia as 'fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct' under Schedule 1, Division 1 in the Wildlife Conservation (Specifically Protected Fauna) Notice 2010(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. Under state policy they are ranked as endangered based on using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.

3. Governance

3.1. Interested and responsible agencies for the Plan
Listed below are key interested parties that may be involved in the development, implementation and review of the Plan for the Blue Whale. These include organisations likely to be affected by implementation of the actions proposed in this plan.

Australian Government
       * Australian Fisheries Management Authority
       * Australian Marine Mammal Centre
       * Australian Maritime Safety Authority
       * Department of Agriculture
       * Department of Defence
       * Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
       * Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
       * Department of Industry and Science
       * Department of the Environment
       * Director of National Parks
       * Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
       * National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority

Industry, non-government organisations, research centres and community groups
       * Commercial fishers and associations
       * Commercial shipping
       * Conservation groups
       * Energy distribution networks
       * Indigenous land councils and communities
       * Local communities and community groups
       * Nature-based tourism industry
       * Oil and gas exploration and production industry
       * Recreational fishers and associations
       * Universities and other research organisations
       * Whale-watching industry and associations
       * Fisheries agencies
       * Museums

State and territory governments
       * Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA
       * Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, SA
       * Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, TAS
       * Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, QLD
       * Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing, QLD
       * Department of Environment and Primary Industries, VIC
       * Department of Land Resource Management, NT
       * Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW

4. Science

4.1 The Biology, Status and Environmental Parameters

General biology
Taxonomy
The order Cetacea comprises all whales, dolphins and porpoises, and contains the suborders Mysticeti (baleen whales) and Odontoceti (toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises). Blue whales are Mysticetes, and the distinguishing feature for this suborder is the presence of baleen plates used for filter feeding. Within Mysticeti, blue whales belong to the family Balaenopteridae (rorquals). Rorquals are characterised by throat pleats that allow the throat to expand when engulfing their prey.

There are four currently recognised subspecies of blue whales. Two