Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930:reg:5:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 5 (pt 7/11)
Character Range: 242989–250137

(e.g., type, number, distance) in BIAs to inform risk assessments of vessel strike.
   3. Ensure environmental impact assessments and associated plans consider and quantify the risk of vessel strike and associated potential cumulative risks in BIAs and HCTS.
   4. Undertake a review of the National Strategy for Reducing Vessel Strike on Cetaceans and other Marine Megafauna 2017, and update if necessary.
   5. Ensure all vessel strike incidents are reported in the National Ship Strike Database managed through the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Australian Antarctic Division.
Interim objectives addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Threats to be mitigated
1, 2, 3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3.3, 3.4, 3.5
Description
Vessel strike is demonstrated to have a significant impact on small recovering right whale populations in other areas (e.g., North Atlantic right whale). There have been reported vessel strikes of southern right whales in Australian waters and individuals have been observed with evidence of vessel strikes. Although, there is still a lack of understanding of the extent that vessel collisions occur and that vessels cause behavioural disturbance. Detection and subsequent reporting are still potential issues that hinder an understanding of the extent of risk to southern right whales by vessel strike. The National Strategy for Reducing Vessel Strike on Cetaceans and other Marine Megafauna 2017 outlines several objectives and actions for reducing vessel strike injury and/or mortality. Reviewing the applicability and effectiveness of this strategy and updating the objectives, if necessary, would assist in ensuring the strategy provides relevant guidance on understanding and reducing the risk of vessel strike and associated impacts on southern right whales.
Within the period of this plan
Measure of success
    1. Improved reporting of vessel strikes to the National Ship Strike Database.
    2. Implementation of effective management of vessels in BIAs and HCTS to minimise the risk from vessel strike.
    3. Review and update, if necessary, of the National Strategy for Reducing Vessel Strike on Cetaceans and other Marine Megafauna.

Risks: Changes in occupancy of southern right whales in new and/or expanding reproductive areas and vessel densities in these areas may occur at a rate that inhibits assessment of available information to inform conservation planning in a time effective manner. Vessel strikes with southern right whales are not observed and/or reported.
Likelihood of success: Moderate.

   5.1.2     Measure recovery
Action Area B1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Priority
Measure and monitor population demographics and recovery.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Very High
Action
   1. Establish effective monitoring techniques for the eastern population and implement a targeted long-term monitoring program capable of measuring and evaluating population recovery.
   2. Maintain long-term annual monitoring programs of the western population across its range that are capable of measuring and evaluating population recovery, including continuance of aerial surveys and photo-identification.
   3. Characterise, measure, and monitor the biology of southern right whales (i.e.,