Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641:body:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 17336–20415

subject to increased pressures, including from terrestrial predation of nests, marine debris, expanding urbanisation and industrial development along coastal strips, fisheries bycatch, deteriorating water quality, and loss of nesting and foraging habitat.
Marine turtles are not just facing these pressures in Australian waters, but are exposed to them throughout their migratory range such that, for some species, it is the pressures outside Australia that are affecting their long-term viability.
The management of threats facing marine turtles and their habitats is undertaken by Commonwealth, state/territory and local government agencies, as well as through non-government organisations, industry partners and volunteers. Many Indigenous and local community groups are actively involved in the on-going protection and conservation of marine turtles. This is especially true in remote areas of northern Australia, where communities manage a range of threats to marine turtles and their habitats. Indigenous management of marine turtles has developed over many millennia in Australia and there is a strong desire among Indigenous communities for increased responsibility in managing marine resources[173] to ensure continued cultural connections and sustainable customary use into the future. Land and sea ranger programs conduct conservation, management and research activities for marine turtles in many areas across northern Australia.

1.1 Review of the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia - July 2003
The EPBC Act provides for recovery plans to be made for the purposes of the protection, conservation and management of listed threatened species. Recovery plans identify the research and management actions necessary to stop the decline, and support the recovery of, listed threatened species so that their chances of long-term survival in nature are maximised.
The Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia 2003 was made in July 2003. It identified a number of key impacts to marine turtles including fisheries bycatch, marine debris, Indigenous and international take, shark control activities, boat strike, aquaculture and defence activities. The 2003 plan had six specific objectives with 60 associated actions.
The 2003 plan was reviewed by the Department in 2013. The review found that the objectives of the 2003 plan were generally achieved in relation to fishery interactions, communication with stakeholders and international engagement. However, it noted that for all identified threats there were still opportunities to build on existing programs. Monitoring of key nesting and foraging sites had not been adequately achieved during the life of the plan. Similarly, whilst activities around reducing mortality, managing important turtle habitat and reducing the impacts of light had been initiated, the objectives around these threats had not been fully met. The review also noted that there were a number of emerging threats that had not been considered in the 2003 plan including climate change and increasing industrial noise (seismic and pile