Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2005L01892:body:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2005L01892
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 21802–24897

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 and whale watching regulations; and
              + assess and manage physical disturbance and development activities (such as ship-strike, aquaculture, pollution, recreational boating, and exploration and extraction industries) – including the application of environmental impact assessment and approvals and the development of industry guidelines and State/Commonwealth government regulations.
       * Implement education programs to inform marine users (e.g. whale watchers, fishermen, and shipping crews using important habitat) about best practice behaviours and regulations when interacting with whales.

  5.      Monitor and manage the potential impacts of prey depletion due to over harvesting
       * Improve knowledge of blue, fin and sei whale feeding ecology, and the ecology of prey species in order to determine if or when prey depletion becomes a threat.
       * Australia should support regional ecosystem approaches to krill management through its involvement in CCAMLR and other fora.

  6.      Monitor climate and oceanographic change
       * Develop an understanding of the effects of climate and oceanographic change on blue, fin and sei whale populations to determine if species survival and recovery are being, or are likely to be affected.
Major benefits to other native species or ecological communities

As blue, fin and sei whales are wide ranging species, marine management protection regimes may have some benefits for other cetaceans found within Australian waters, in particular other oceanic mysticete species such Bryde's and minke whales, as well as the more coastal (in Australian waters) humpback and southern right whales.

Implementation of this plan is unlikely to have negative impacts on any other native species or ecological communities.

Duration and cost of the recovery process

It is anticipated that the recovery process will take longer than the life of the plan (2005-2010), which should be reviewed after five years. A recovery plan should remain in place until such time that the populations of blue, fin and sei whales utilising Australian waters have improved to the point that the populations are considered secure.

The cost of this plan will be met through various direct and indirect funding activities undertaken by the Australian Government, State and Territory governments, researchers, conservation groups, marine based industries and the Australian public. Costing of specific actions will be determined at the time of activity.

Role and interests of Indigenous people

Many marine mammal species have cultural significance to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. Recognising this cultural connection to whales is important. No record has been found of whale hunting before the arrival of Europeans, although it is likely that some use