Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01633
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 32072–35078

on whales, including by-catch and entanglements, Australian, state and territory governments are working together with the fishing industry and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to develop methods to minimise these impacts.
Marine bioregional plans have been prepared under section 176 of the EPBC Act for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions of Commonwealth waters around Australia. Each marine bioregional plan describes the marine environment and conservation values of the region, identifies and characterises the pressures affecting these conservation values and identifies regional priorities and outlines strategies to address them. As part of this process, blue whales have been identified as a regional priority for the South-west Marine Region and are mentioned in the North-west Marine Region.
State and territory legislation
All Australian states and territories protect cetaceans within their waters (0-3 nautical miles offshore). All states and territories provide similar protection for cetaceans to that provided by the Australian Government in the Australian Whale Sanctuary.
New South Wales
New South Wales lists the blue whale as an endangered species on Schedule 1 part 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Regulations for whale watching are provided for in the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Marine Mammals) Regulation 2006. It is recognised by the New South Wales Government that blue whales of both subspecies may be encountered in its waters on rare occasions.
Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, the blue whale is listed as data deficient under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000.
Queensland
In Queensland, the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 provides guidelines for the protection of whales and dolphins.
South Australia
Blue whales are listed in South Australia as endangered under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Guidelines for whale watching and interacting with cetaceans are provided for in the National Parks and Wildlife (Protected Animals – Marine Mammals) Regulations 2010 under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. South Australia has declared a whale sanctuary and marine park at the head of the Great Australian Bight. In the Great Australian Bight Marine Park (Commonwealth & State Waters) – A Description of Values and Uses, blue whales are recognised as a migratory species that use the area.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 lists the blue whale as endangered. The Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service provides whale watching guidelines that conform with the Australian National Guidelines for Whale and Dolphin Watching 2005.
Victoria
In Victoria, blue whales are listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Under the Wildlife Act 1975 it is an offence to kill, injure, take or interfere with a whale.