Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633:body:0:p40
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 122272–129465

to be mitigated
2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 4-2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  E
Description
An increase in shipping activities in Australian waters suggests the probability of vessel strike involving blue whales may increase. Due to limited information on the abundance and population trend of blue whales in Australian waters and the overlay between shipping lanes and migratory routes and/or biologically important areas for blue whales it is considered a priority to determine the level of impact of vessel strike on this species, and apply mitigation measures as needed.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: Completion of a national vessel strike strategy and reporting of vessel strikes to the National Ship Strike Database.
Risks: The vessel strike strategy may not be implemented fully within the life of this Plan.
Likelihood of success: High.

Enabling and measuring recovery
Action Area B.1                                                                                                                                                                                       Priority
Measuring and monitoring population recovery                                                                                                                                                          Pygmy                                                                                   Very high
Antarctic                                                                                                                                                                                             Very high
Action
Develop and apply cost-effective methods to determine population abundance and trends for the pygmy and Antarctic blue whale subspecies.
Recovery Targets addressed                                                                                                                                                                            Threats to be mitigated
1-1, 1-2, 1-3                                                                                                                                                                                         An improved understanding will allow for better mitigation of threats A, B, C, D, E, F
Description
There has been no precise abundance or trend estimation for blue whale population(s). The most recent and imprecise abundance and trend estimates for Antarctic blue whales are nearly 20 years old.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: The delivery of precise estimates of abundance and trend of blue whale populations.
Risks: Insufficient resources to fund the monitoring of blue whale populations.
Likelihood of success: Moderate.

Action Area B.2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Priority
Describe the population structure of blue whales                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pygmy                                                                                   High
Antarctic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             High
Action
Describe the population structure of Antarctic and pygmy blue whales.
Recovery Targets addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Threats to be mitigated
2-2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   An improved understanding will allow for better mitigation of threats A, B, C, D, E, F
Description
Recent research has partly clarified the population structure of pygmy and Antarctic blue whales but uncertainties remain particularly in relation to the substructure within Antarctic blue whales. There is a multinational effort to address these uncertainties.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: Adequate description of the population structure of Antarctic and pygmy blue whales.
Risks: Insufficient resources to collect the samples and data required to address the uncertainties in population structure.
Likelihood of success: Moderate.

Action Area B.3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Priority
Describe the spatial and temporal distribution of blue whales and further define Biologically Important Areas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Pygmy                                                                                   High
Antarctic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    High
Action
1. Identify Biologically Important Areas especially feeding and breeding areas.
2. Identify migratory pathways between breeding and feeding grounds.
3. Assess timing and residency within Biologically Important Areas.
Recovery Targets addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Threats to