Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L00289:body:0:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L00289
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 29781–32982

is unlikely to be achieved during the life of this plan, the following interim recovery objectives have been set for the period covered by the plan. The first three interim objectives assist in assessing the conservation status of the south-eastern and south-western populations against the EPBC Act listing criteria, and the remaining two relate to legal and management protection, and to minimising recognised threats:

      1. Demonstrate that the number of southern right whales occurring off south-west Australia (nominally south-west Australian population) is increasing at or near the maximum biological rate
      2. Demonstrate that the number of southern right whales occurring off south-east Australia (nominally south-east Australian population) is showing signs of increase
      3. The nature and degree of difference between the south-eastern and south-western Australian populations of southern right whales is clearly understood
      4. Current levels of legal and management protection for southern right whales are maintained or improved and an appropriate adaptive management regime is in place
      5. Anthropogenic threats are demonstrably minimised.
Given recent research has suggested that demographically-independent populations of southern right whales may occur off south-east and south-west Australia35, the interim recovery objectives and the associated recovery actions are structured around a two-population model.

Targets for interim recovery objectives
The effectiveness of this plan will be measured, and progress towards long-term objectives assessed, on the basis of how well the following targets for interim recovery objectives are met.

Interim objective 1:
    Target 1.1: the south-western population of southern right whales is measured and monitored.

    Target 1.2: an annual increase in abundance close to or at maximum biological rate is recorded off south-west Australia.

Interim objective 2:
    Target 2.1: the south-eastern population of southern right whales is measured and monitored.

           * Target 2.2: the number of whales off south-east Australia shows an apparent increase for the period 2011–2021 relative to 2005–2010:
           * no aggregation area identified in 2011 drops to a lower category by 2021 (categories are defined by the number of whales occupying an aggregation area each year)

           * aggregations categorised as small established areas in 2011 are used by an equivalent or increased number of whales by 2021

           * aggregations categorised as emerging areas in 2011 meet criteria for an established area by 2021; OR are occupied in a greater number of years from 2011–2021 compared with 2005–2010

           * historic high use areas not identified as aggregation areas in 2011 show signs of increased use by 2021.

Interim objective 3:
    Target 3.1: genetic delineation of the south-west Australian population is complete.

    Target 3.2: genetic delineation of the south-east Australian population is complete.

    Target 3.3: a research project investigating use of feeding and non-coastal habitat areas, including migratory movements, for south-east and south-west populations is completed.