Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L00289:body:0:p42
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L00289
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 151096–155807

be difficult to generalise offshore distribution from small samples and a very large effort may be required to develop a comprehensive picture of migratory movements and offshore distribution.

Likelihood of success: Moderate – low

Action Area B.4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Priority

Characterising behaviour and movements                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              High

Action
Extend behavioural studies and further review existing behavioural and fine-scale movement data to characterise behaviours and movements that may be affected by the known and potential threats identified in this plan.
Recovery Targets Addressed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Threats to be Mitigated
1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   A, B, D, E, F
Description
At present the capacity to monitor impact on southern right whales from human activities is hampered by the lack of a robust baseline for behaviour in the absence of human activities. Studies elsewhere have demonstrated behavioural changes in response to human activities, particularly in response to noise, but the scale of these impacts in Australian waters and the biological significance of any changes remain unknown. This action addresses that information gap.
Within the life of this plan
Measure of success: Behaviour in coastal habitat in the absence of human activity is characterised.

Risks: Minimal

Likelihood of success: High

Cumulative impact
Successful ongoing management of southern right whale populations will require the consideration of the cumulative impact of the threats listed here. Consideration of the impacts of infrastructure and coastal development in particular, will require assessment to be made in the context of other activities in the region.

6.2 Reporting Process
A comprehensive monitoring regime for this Conservation Management Plan includes two aspects:

    1. monitoring of the population

    2. monitoring of the progress of actions in the plan and detailing the adaptive management for the next plan.
Monitoring the population
Monitoring of the population will occur if Action Areas B1 and B2 are undertaken. The aim of this monitoring is to understand the extent of habitat occupancy and at what rate, if any, each population is increasing, remaining stable, or decreasing over time. This will determine whether the objectives of recovery, as defined in Section 1.2 of this document, are being met.

An important complement to this monitoring is the development of an adaptive management regime for the population. Should it be found that numbers of southern right whales start to decrease or increase at a slower rate, it will be necessary to identify the causes of this change and determine whether additional management action needs to be taken. A series of thresholds will be developed during the life of this plan, at which review or changes to management measures must be undertaken will be developed.

Monitoring progress towards Conservation Management Plan actions
Monitoring of the plan itself will require tracking the progress of actions designed