Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p57
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 165399–168615

impact on coastal and riverine areas in Kakadu.

  Fire (moderately significant)
In the absence of continued traditional burning practices over generations, extensive areas that were once identifiable as open Aboriginal occupation sites are now obscured by native vegetation, increasing fuel loads and changing the landscape. Traditional fire management of the floodplains saw areas burnt periodically to control the density of aquatic grasses, thereby increasing the extent of open water (favoured by many wetland animals) and of some plant species (such as water chestnut and wild rice) that provide important resources for many animal species, including magpie geese. Introduced pasture species that have extended across the landscape have also increased fuel loads and impacted on wetland fire regimes.

  Illegal commercial fishing (moderately significant) and recreational fishing (low significance)
Illegal commercial fishing, and to a lesser extent recreational fishing, has potentially had an impact on dolphins and on threatened species such as sawfish and river sharks. These species are highly vulnerable to gillnet fishing (from commercial fishers operating outside the park or illegally in river mouths of the park). There have been a number of incidents involving commercial fishing operators illegally netting within the park. Actions addressing compliance issues are covered in Section 9.2 (Compliance and enforcement).

  Visitor impacts (low significance)
There are localised impacts from unregulated use in high-use coastal visitor areas (Waldak Irrmbal), including overcrowding at camping areas, off-road driving and rubbish. Actions addressing visitor impacts are covered in Section 5.3 (Managing park-wide threats affecting values).

  Unauthorised access (low significance)
Regular monitoring and surveillance by park staff is difficult due to the remoteness of the coastal area and there may be significant time delays in responding to incidents. Weeds and fire are often spread by people accessing parts of the park without authorisation. Actions addressing compliance issues are covered in Section 9.2 (Compliance and enforcement).
  Development impacts outside the park (highly significant)
Some species that use coastal waters and areas are migratory and also depend on land and waters outside the park where they may be subject to multiple threats such as habitat loss or degradation. These impacts are largely beyond park control.

Actions

     5.2.3              Manage weeds on the floodplains, prioritising control of ecosystem-transforming weeds (including para grass and olive hymenachne) in priority areas and continued eradication of mimosa.

     5.2.4              Manage feral animals on the floodplains to reduce the impact of pigs and buffalo in priority areas.

     5.2.5              Manage fire on the floodplains in accordance with the Policies and Actions in Sections 5.3.17 to 5.3.26 to:
        (a)      replicate the traditional floodplain burning regime
        (b)      reduce cover of Hymenachne, para grass and other floodplain weed species and promote Eleocharis and other native wetland plant species.

     5.2.6              Identify actions to limit the