Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L01089:reg:20:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L01089
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 20 (pt 19/33)
Character Range: 83323–86467

the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve. Considered together, the Commonwealth marine reserve networks and the Coral Sea reserve protect examples of all of Australia's different marine ecosystems and habitats. Further information about the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network is available at: www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves/index.html.

The Commonwealth marine reserves network protects habitat important for protected species, including the grey nurse shark. Many of the Commonwealth marine reserves intersect with BIAs for the grey nurse shark, as identified in the marine bioregional plans. More information is available in the conservation values atlas at: www.environment.gov.au/coasts/marineplans/cva/index.html. In particular, key aggregation sites for the critically endangered east coast population of grey nurse sharks intersect with a number of Commonwealth marine reserves in the Temperate East Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network. Pimpernel Rock is a significant feature of the Solitary Islands Commonwealth Marine Reserve and provides important habitat for the east coast population of the grey nurse shark. Similarly, the Cod Grounds Commonwealth Marine Reserve includes a key aggregation site for the grey nurse shark. In addition, a number of key aggregation sites for grey nurse sharks (e.g. Big Seal Rocks, Little Seal Rocks and Little Broughton Island) occur in state waters adjacent to the Hunter Commonwealth Marine Reserve and therefore, important habitat for this species is likely to extend into this reserve.

11 Effects on other native species or ecological communities
Reducing anthropogenic impacts from fisheries activities or encounters with shark protection devices may benefit other threatened marine species, such as other shark species, seabirds and marine mammals.

The creation of protected areas (which may include no take zones) around grey nurse shark key aggregation sites is likely to result in conservation benefits for other threatened or protected species of fish, such as black cod (Epinephelus daemelii), that share similar habitat. The conservation of heavily targeted populations of species such as mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) and yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) should improve as a result of greater protection at grey nurse shark key aggregation sites (Silberschneider & Gray, 2005). The consequences for other native species, should grey nurse shark numbers increase substantially as a result of this plan, are unknown.

12 Biodiversity benefits
Given that this recovery plan focuses on removing threats from grey nurse shark habitats, it is also likely to have positive implications for a range of non-target native species that occur within the same habitats.

13 Social and economic considerations

    13.1 Commercial and recreational fishing

Grey nurse sharks have been fished throughout their range in the past and, although there is no current legal directed catch of grey nurse sharks, incidental catch remains a major threat to the species. In particular, trap and line fishers are most likely to come in direct contact with grey nurse sharks.