Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930:reg:2:p47
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 47/48)
Character Range: 193952–197234

Vision, objectives, and targets

   4.1         Long-term recovery vision
The long-term vision for the recovery of the southern right whales in Australian waters is that the population has increased in size to a level that the conservation status has improved, and the species no longer qualifies for listing as threatened under any of the EPBC Act listing criteria.
Due to intense historical exploitation of southern right whales and the species life history characteristics, population recovery to, or near, pre-exploitation levels will likely be a long process (i.e., multi-decadal). Consequently, achieving the long-term vision for southern right whales utilising Australian waters is also likely to occur over this timeframe.

   4.2         Interim recovery objectives and targets
Recognising the long-term nature of the Recovery Plan vision, five interim recovery objectives have been set for a shorter-term period relevant to the species of ten-years. These objectives will be achieved by implementing the actions set out in this Recovery Plan to minimise threats while protecting the species' habitat, adequately monitoring recovery, generating new knowledge to guide recovery, and increasing public awareness.
The first interim objective provides the context for the management and legal protection that underpins this Recovery Plan, whereas the second identifies the principles of ecologically sustainable development that should be applied when assessing risk from recognised and emerging anthropogenic threats to southern right whales. The third and fourth interim recovery objectives assist in assessing the conservation status of southern right whales against the EPBC Act threatened species listing criteria, and whether threats are reduced, and species recovery is subsequently being achieved. The fifth interim objective addresses supporting capability in achieving the Recovery Plan actions.
Interim objective 1: Current levels of Commonwealth and State legislative and management protection for southern right whales are implemented, maintained, or improved, so threats continue to be managed and reduced over the life of the plan.
    Target 1.1: Domestic and international legislation, and other management agreements, that support the recovery of southern right whales in Australian waters are maintained and, where necessary, strengthened, and enforced.
Interim objective 2: Anthropogenic threats are managed consistent with ecologically sustainable development principles to facilitate recovery of southern right whales.
    Target 2.1: Robust and adaptive management principles are implemented to reduce anthropogenic threats to southern right whales in Australian waters and minimise the risk of mortality, injury, auditory impairment, or disturbance to biologically important behaviours from anthropogenic activities.

    Target 2.2: Management decisions are supported by high quality information and scientific data, and high priority research areas identified in the Recovery Plan to deliver this information are supported through national and/or state funding programs and conservation planning.
Interim objective 3: Population dynamics, including demographics, distribution, residency, and coastal movement across the species range are monitored and