Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930:reg:2:p30
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00930
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2 (pt 30/48)
Character Range: 143705–146669

The volume and extent of propagation vary depending on the type of aircraft and the length of time the aircraft is in the area (Luksenburg & Parsons 2009). These sounds are typically of short duration and limited to the area directly below the aircraft. Aircraft noise, most likely from a light aircraft, was recorded in underwater noise recordings in Fowlers Bay (SA) and characterised by relatively low frequency sound between approximately 150 and 600 Hz (Ward et al. 2019). Fowlers Bay is identified as a reproductive BIA and is largely removed from major shipping routes that would contribute vessel noise to the marine soundscape, such that anthropogenic noise from vessels and aircrafts was sporadic and did not contribute significantly to noise levels (Ward et al. 2019).
Noise from low-flying aircraft and helicopters could cause disturbance in aggregation areas, especially when whales spend a significant amount of time at the surface (e.g., resting mother and calf pairs) and where there is repeated exposure. Southern right whales have demonstrated behavioural reactions to helicopters, most likely as a result of the down draught of the rotor blades at low altitude, by increasing their dive times (Ling & Needham 1988).

   3.5         Collision
The risk of collision can result from the introduction of physical objects, mobile or immobile, that may collide with or result in potential collision of marine mammals. The most common type of collision involving whales is vessel strike, where vessels may cause physical injury or behavioural disturbance to whales. Vessel collision or vessel strike is defined as any physical impact (i.e. including non-fatal and fatal) involving any part of a vessel (most commonly bow or propeller) and a live whale (Cates et al. 2017). Vessel collisions can involve a range of vessel types from large commercial vessels to recreational vessels, including personal watercraft. Interactions of southern right whales with commercial vessels involved in whale-watching activities is addressed in a separate section due to the specific management arrangements (i.e., national guidelines) that exist for these vessels.
There is also the potential risk of collision with underwater turbines associated with wind energy developments, although this predominantly relates to tidal and river energy conversion technologies and their underwater moving components (Sparling et al. 2020). It is possible the greater risk of collision associated with offshore wind turbines would be associated with vessel strike from support vessels.

    3.5.1     Vessel strike
In Australia, southern right whales are the second most common species involved in Australian vessel strikes, which is consistent with worldwide data (Peel et al. 2018). An historical assessment of vessel strike between 1950 – 2006 involving southern right whales undertaken by Kemper et al. (2008) found two fatal and three non-fatal vessel collisions in Australian