Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641:body:0:p59
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00641
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 223667–226797

development of stock viability models for high priority stocks to better assess management approaches, particularly designation of habitat critical to the survival of each stock.
Noise in the marine environment is expected to increase in areas of expanding industrial development and increased shipping. Acute noise results from temporary exposure to loud noises and may lead to avoidance of important habitat areas[160], and in some situations, physical damage[122]. Long-term exposure to noise may lead to avoidance of important habitat areas. There is a need to better understand the effects of noise on marine turtles, especially from seismic survey activity[175] and to assess the efficacy of current noise management.
Disease and pathogens have been described for individual turtles, however, there is limited understanding of how disease affects overall stock health and long-term viability. Research should focus on sub-lethal implications of disease, such as reduced reproductive output, and identify at what point poor health may lead to adverse outcomes for the species.
The genetic relatedness of flatback, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles nesting in Western Australia needs to be resolved[63], particularly for stocks nesting in the Kimberley. This will enable appropriate management regimes to be implemented for each determined stock. Similarly, there is a need to determine the stock origins of green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles foraging in New South Wales, and of hawksbill turtles foraging in Western Australia to support more effective management. Tissue or biopsied samples should be collected when taking data on stranded animals to help define baselines. Standard procedures should be developed to provide guidance on appropriate tissue collection techniques. This should also be used to inform blood chemistry research.
Responsible agencies and potential partners: Australian, state, territory and local government, research institutions, relevant non-government organisations, industry partners and community groups.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: Improved understanding of knowledge gaps, including whole-of-life cycle threats and habitat necessary for protection, the impacts of noise, disease/pathogens, and the genetic relatedness of flatback, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles.
Risks: The availability of funding to undertake research.
Likelihood of success: Moderate

5.4 Individual stocks
To ensure the preservation of genetic diversity, threats are considered on an individual stock basis (Table 8). The following tables provide an overview of each stock and identify specific actions to manage these stocks. As described at Section 3.2, 21 stocks are described for green, loggerhead, flatback, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles. As there is no genetic basis on which to distinguish leatherback turtles nesting in Australia from stocks in neighbouring countries, all leatherback turtles nesting in Australia are considered as one stock. In addition, there is a separate table with management actions for those turtles that nest in neighbouring countries, but are known