Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930:reg:5:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 5 (pt 4/11)
Character Range: 219958–229209

change: linking foraging ground variability to population recovery in the southern right whale. Continued engagement in this program will assist with better understanding of the linkages between foraging success, the energetics of individuals and breeding success, and climate change impacts. Australia contributes to CCAMLR and the management of its fisheries and should continue engagement with CCAMLR to support the sustainable management of Antarctic fisheries, particularly those that target the prey resources of southern right whales.
Within the period of this plan
Measure of success
    1. Australia continues its commitment to mitigate climate change and meet internationally agreed targets.
    2. An improved understanding of the links between climate change and reproductive success and health of whales is obtained.
    3. Australia retains a strong engagement with CCAMLR and the IWC to understand the linkages between a changing environment, prey resources, and the recovery of southern right whales.
    4. Measures required to facilitate adaptive management of impacts from climate change are better understood.
Risks: Actions at the global scale are not sufficient to affect the current rate of climate change, which may negatively impact southern right whale prey stocks and subsequent reproductive success of southern right whales.
Likelihood of success: Moderate.

Action Area A4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Priority
Manage and mitigate the threat of entanglements from commercial active or discarded fishing gear throughout the species' range in Australian waters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Very High

Action
   1. Promote and support commercial fishing industries, government, and research collaborations that address alternate fishing techniques, gear modifications and/or management arrangements (e.g., spatial and/or temporal area closures) to reduce the risk of entanglements from active or discarded fishing gear.
   2. Develop, update, and promote industry Codes of Practice and awareness courses for fishers, specific to each relevant fishery, to address the threat of whale entanglement in fishery gear in BIAs and HCTS.
   3. Improve standardised and coordinated recording and reporting of entanglements and data sharing of fisheries interactions with whales between industry, government, and research bodies.
Interim objectives addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Threats to be mitigated
1, 2, 3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           3.2, 3.3
Description
Right whales are particularly susceptible to entanglements because of their coastal distribution and the resulting overlap with fisheries areas. Accurately assessing and spatially mapping areas of risk from entanglement are hindered by discrepancies and inconsistencies in the quality of data and data collection related to incidences of entanglement across jurisdictions. Codes of Practice for industry (e.g., rock lobster fisheries from Western Australia and Victoria) aimed at reducing entanglements and improving reporting of interactions will assist with better understanding the risk of entanglements and mitigating and responding at-sea to entanglements. Actions to achieve a reduction in marine debris, including lost or discarded fishing gear, entering the environment should be undertaken in accordance with the Threat Abatement