Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01314:reg:2013:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01314
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2013 (pt 16/24)
Character Range: 61902–65012

elsewhere in the fishery. Under the April 2011 arrangements, if the trigger limits are reached in any of the seven management zones then that zone would be closed for a full Australian sea lion breeding cycle (18 months). A cumulative total of 52 female mortalities across all zones was introduced as a trigger, such that all zones would be closed if this trigger was reached.

In January 2012, the closure triggers were further tightened in order to ensure that they provide
adequate protection for Australian sea lion sub-populations. More information is available at:
www.afma.gov.au/australian-sea-lion-management-strategy-reset-maximum-bycatch-trigger-limits An overall trigger level of 15 animals was adopted. Under this overall limit, two management zones were restricted to a single animal trigger level, four zones to a two animal trigger level and one zone to a five animal trigger level (Table 1). These numbers reflect the associated colony size and sub-population genetics within the zone.
Zone boundaries were also changed to ensure appropriate trigger limits would be assigned to those colonies likely to be genetically distinct or more vulnerable to fishing mortality. If the trigger limit is reached in any of
the seven management zones, then that zone will be closed for a full Australian sea lion breeding cycle
(18 months). Since the introduction of the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy there have been three zones closed (Table 1; Figure 2, current at 1 July 2012).

Table 1: Maximum bycatch trigger limits reviewed under the strategy
and reset for the new 2012/13 SESSF season starting on 1 July 2012
ASL Tone  Seasonal Trigger  Remaining Trigger
A         1                 Closed until 15/05/13
B         2                 Closed until 10/08/13
C         2                 2
D         1                 Closed until 23/08/13
E         2                 2
F         2                 2
G         5                 5
Total     15                11

Figure 2: SESSF Australian sea lion Management Strategy: current closures and
bycatch trigger limits (as of 1 May 2012; AFMA, 2012).

The Commonwealth Threat Abatement Plan for the Impact of Marine Debris on Vertebrate Marine Life has the potential to contribute to reducing the impact of marine debris on the Australian sea lion. Although the implementation of the plan is intended to directly contribute to the protection of marine species described in the key threatening process listing, the plan will have broader benefits for marine species — such as the Australian sea lion — impacted by marine debris. The marine debris threat abatement plan is available on the department's website at: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/marine-debris.html

9.1.1 Marine bioregional plans

Commonwealth marine bioregional plans have been prepared under section 176 of the EPBC Act for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions in Commonwealth waters around Australia. Each Marine Bioregional Plan describes the marine environment and conservation values of the region, identifies