Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01047:reg:11:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L01047
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 11 (pt 7/8)
Character Range: 58699–61802

of this TAP, plastic debris and its impacts are categorised as:
           •   large debris, such as lost or discarded fishing gear, plastic drums and containers, etc. that may trap and entangle wildlife
           •   small plastic pieces (>5 mm) that may be ingested by biota, causing ecotoxicological effects, physical blockage and internal injuries
           •   microplastics particles (<5 mm) that pose an ecotoxicological risk through ingestion. These particles can be transferred to higher levels in the marine food chain and may serve as a transport mechanism for contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants.
As plastic debris accumulates in the environment, exposure to physical, chemical and biological processes results in its fragmentation into smaller pieces and the potential for ingestion by animals increases (Browne et al., 2008). An improved understanding of the ways in which plastic and microplastic impact and interact with the marine environment is needed, given that worst-case trophic transfer could lead to a much broader level of impact than is currently understood.

         20  /  Threat Abatement Plan

           Appendix A identifies EPBC Act-listed species for which there are scientifically documented adverse impacts resulting from marine debris. For example, 90 per cent of flesh-footed shearwater fledglings on Lord Howe Island were affected by ingestion of plastic debris in 2011 (Lavers et al., 2014). Ingestion of plastic significantly reduced flesh-footed shearwater fledgling body mass and wing length, lowering juvenile survival by at least 11 per cent (Lavers, 2014). Ingestion of plastic has also been implicated in the decline of the Lord Howe Island population of this species (Hutton et al., 2008; Lavers and Bond, 2016; Lavers et al., 2014; Priddel et al., 2006).

           As understanding on species impact grows (through understanding of microplastic impact for example), the number of species on the list at Appendix A is likely to increase. For example, in two whale shark (Rhincodon typus) stranding cases in the Philippines, necropsies revealed plastic materials in the animal's stomachs (Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, 2014). Whale sharks are listed as vulnerable and migratory under the EPBC Act; confirmation of lethal or sublethal impact resulting from plastic ingestion will lead to addition of whale sharks to the Appendix A impacted species list.

           Researchers found over forty pieces of rubbish including the remains of balloons, plastic bags, hard plastic, fishing line, thong and plastic bottle top in this young green turtle. Image: Dr Kathy Townsend, Moreton Bay Research Station, University of Queensland.

           Appendix B identifies the two EPBC Act-listed ecological communities (Posidonia australis seagrass meadows of the Manning–Hawkesbury ecoregion, and subtropical and temperate coastal saltmarsh) for which marine debris (litter) is identified as a threat. As understanding of marine debris impact develops, further ecological communities may also be identified as impacted. For