Address: Main Office: John Gorton Building

Progressing the government’s anti-whaling agenda

Humpback whale. (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)

Australia worked closely with other International Whaling Commission (IWC) pro-conservation countries to progress IWC-agreed conservation initiatives, including:

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  guidelines, templates, funding principles and processes for the development of conservation management plans to assist the recovery of the world’s most threatened cetacean populations
  
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  advancing the Australian-initiated and IWC-endorsed Southern Ocean Research Partnership
  
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  working through the IWC Working Group on Whalewatching to develop a five-year strategic plan on whale watching (see case study 2)
  
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  taking steps to address governance gaps that exist within the IWC through a review of procedures to enhance transparency and ensure accountability.
  

On 9 May 2011 Australia submitted its written submission to the International Court of Justice, an important milestone in the government’s legal action against Japan’s ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean. The department is providing ongoing support to the Attorney-General’s Department, which is the lead agency on this issue.

The department provided strategic communication support during and following the 62nd International Whaling Commission meeting held in Morocco in late June 2010. Publications and other products have also been developed to spread the cetacean conservation message.

Cetacean and marine mammal research grants were awarded under the Australian Marine Mammal Centre grants program the Indo-Pacific Cetacean Research and Conservation Fund and the Bill Dawbin Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund. These grants further cement Australia’s position as a world leader in non-lethal cetacean research; contribute to cetacean conservation nationally, regionally and globally, and demonstrate that lethal research is not required to meet whale conservation and management knowledge requirements.

Environmental biosecurity

Under the EPBC Act, the department develops and supports the implementation of threat abatement plans. These plans set out the actions needed to reduce the effects of listed key threats, such as pests and diseases, on affected native species or ecological communities.

The department collaborates with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and other stakeholders, including state and territory governments, private landholders and expert reference groups such as the Invasive Animals Co-operative Research Centre, to develop and implement threat abatement plans and projects. Threat abatement plans are reviewed every five years.

There are 12 threat abatement plans operating for key terrestrial threatening processes listed under the EPBC Act (see Table 1).

A new threat abatement plan was developed for the biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by cane toads. The plan provides a targeted response to protect those native species and ecological communities most at risk from the impacts of cane toads.

The final report of the project, Impacts of feral pigs on tropical freshwater ecosystems, was completed in July 2010. It provided valuable quantitative data about the damage feral pigs do to the environment. The department provided $146 970 towards the project, which was initiated under objective four of the threat abatement plan for the predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs. The report is available on the department’s website.

The threat abatement plan for infection of amphibians with chytrid fungus, resulting in chytridiomycosis, was also progressed by funding projects to develop:

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  hygiene protocols for the control of diseases in Australian frogs
  
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  guidelines for minimising disease risks associated with captive breeding, raising and restocking programs for Australian frogs
  
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  a rapid field test to detect the chytrid fungus at a high specificity and sensitivity, for use in surveys to determine the distribution of chytridiomycosis.
  

The reports from these projects will be made available on the department’s website.

Under the threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats, the department has been supporting the development of an effective toxin-bait for broad-scale control of feral cats (the Curiosity© feral cat bait). The department provided a further $292 363 for bait development work, including bait stability testing; determination of risks to non-target species, and field efficacy trials on mainland sites such as Cape Arid National Park, Wilsons Promontory National Park and Flinders Ranges National Park. These trials have been held in conjunction with the Western Australian Government and the Victorian Government.

The department is developing a revised threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. The department is developing a new threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts on biodiversity as a result of the invasion of northern Australia by gamba grass and other introduced grasses.

Table 1: Status of terrestrial threat abatement plans at 30 June 2011

Title	Approved	Comment
Threat abatement plan for the biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by cane toads	2011	Current
Threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts on northern Australia’s biodiversity of the five listed grasses		Draft
Competition and land degradation by unmanaged goats	2008	Current
Competition and land degradation by rabbits	2008	Current
Predation by the European red fox	2008	Current
Predation by feral cats	2008	Current
Beak and feather disease affecting endangered psittacine species	2005	Current
Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs	2005	Current
Infection of amphibians with chytrid fungus, resulting in chytridiomycosis	2006	Current
Reduction of impacts of tramp ants on biodiversity in Australia and its territories	2006	Current
Reduction of impacts of exotic rodents on the biodiversity of Australian offshore islands of fewer than 100 000 hectares	2009	Current
Threat abatement plan for dieback caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi*	2001	Current

* The revised threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi (2009) was disallowed on 17 November 2009. Until such time as a new or revised plan is made, the 2001 threat abatement plan will remain in force.

Results

Effective management of Commonwealth marine reserves

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  Significant progress was made in developing a network management plan for the 14 south-east region Commonwealth marine reserves, bringing together all the reserves of the region under a single management plan.
  
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  In response to compliance incidents in Commonwealth marine reserves, the department executed eight enforcement actions resulting in six warning letters and two pending prosecutions in relation to alleged offences under the EPBC Act.
  
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  Significant progress was made on developing a Commonwealth marine reserve compliance plan that will serve as a guide for compliance delivery over the next four years. Progress was also made on preparing marine reserve enforcement guidelines, which will improve the consistency of enforcement decisions made in marine reserve management with the overarching departmental enforcement policy.
  
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  A collaborative agreement was progressed between the department and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority to share and analyse Vessel Monitoring System data from commercial fishers operating in Commonwealth marine reserves. This work will improve knowledge about activity use patterns in marine reserves and alert commercial fishers to marine reserve boundaries and requirements.
  

Progressing the government’s anti-whaling agenda

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  Australia continued its close cooperation with pro-conservation International Whaling Commission (IWC) countries to advance the global conservation of cetaceans. At a meeting of IWC countries, hosted by Germany in Brussels on 24 March 2011, Australia advocated the pursuit of IWC-agreed conservation initiatives and governance reform consistent with Australia’s whale conservation policy objectives.
  
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  Australia has been a key player in the drafting of a proposed five-year strategic plan for whale watching, which has also been submitted for consideration at IWC63. Australia attended a workshop on reducing the risk of vessel–cetacean collisions and will use the key learnings to inform the development of a national strategy to reduce vessel–cetacean collisions.
  
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  On 9 May 2011, Australia submitted its written pleadings to the International Court of Justice—a key milestone for Australia’s legal action against Japanese ‘scientific’ whaling.
  
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  The Scientific Steering Group of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership met twice in 2010–11: in Paris in March 2011, hosted by the French Government; and in Tromso, Norway, in June 2011, at the annual meeting of the IWC Scientific Committee. A key outcome of these meetings has been the development of six multinational research programs on whales in the Southern Ocean. Australia is actively involved in supporting all of these projects. A symposium and workshop on non-lethal whale research is scheduled to be held in Chile in March 2012.
  
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  In 2010–11 a grant of $146 800 was awarded under the Bill Dawbin Postdoctoral Fellowship Fund to work with Indigenous Sea Rangers to study Australia’s tropical inshore dolphins in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
  
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  A total of 13 grants were awarded under the Australian Marine Mammal Grants scheme in 2010–11, totalling $1.36 million over multiple years. Funding was provided to nine cetacean research projects as well as three dugong and one sea lion research project.
  
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  Three grants were awarded under the Indo-Pacific Cetacean Research and Conservation Fund in 2010–11, totalling $175 224 over three years. Projects were approved to research and conserve marine mammals in the Kikori River delta, Papua New Guinea; to study the diversity and status of cetacean species in the newly established Palau whale sanctuary, and to study the conservation status of cetacean species in the Gulf of Thailand.
  
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  Nationally, official meetings were held with representatives from the states and the Northern Territory from November 2010 to January 2011 to identify a set of shared issues relating to cetacean conservation and management. The agreed common priority areas for consideration include whale watching; ship strikes; research; guidance on strandings, entanglements and euthanasia; conservation management plans, and the National Network of Whale and Dolphin Sanctuaries. Work continues on developing and implementing measures under each of the six identified areas.
  

Environmental biosecurity

The department collaborated with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and state and territory governments to endorse a National Weed Spread Prevention Action Plan and assess candidate species for inclusion as new Weeds of National Significance.

The department, together with DAFF, continues to represent the Australian Government on the Vertebrate Pests Committee. The committee promotes national policy and planning solutions and nationally consistent approaches to vertebrate pest issues.

The department and DAFF are members of the Marine Pest Sectoral Committee, which develops and coordinates the implementation of national arrangements to identify, minimise and address the pest risk to Australia’s marine environment and associated industries.

The department continued to participate in nationally significant biosecurity incident responses:

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  Electric ants and red imported fire ants in Queensland. The electric ant is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature worst 100 list and is listed in the threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts of tramp ants on biodiversity in Australia and its territories. The electric ant eradication program in north Queensland continued in 2010–11, with funding of approximately $1 million contributed by the Australian Government from Caring for our Country. A review of the eradication program concluded that eradication of the electric ant remains technically feasible.
  
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  The exotic plant fungus myrtle rust, which attacks the Myrtaceae family of plants including Australian natives like bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.), tea-tree (Melaleuca spp.) and eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.). In December 2010, myrtle rust was declared not technically feasible to eradicate. The department is a member of a national Myrtle Rust Coordination Group, which includes representatives of government and industry stakeholders. This group is coordinating actions to respond to myrtle rust, focusing on mitigating its impact on the natural environment, including threatened and endangered species, and on industries that rely on myrtaceous species.
  
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  Eradication programs for several invasive weeds in north Queensland—the Four Tropical Weeds Eradication Program and the National Siam Weed Eradication Program.
  

Fisheries management

Assessments of the environmental performance of fisheries under the EPBC Act were completed for six Commonwealth-managed fisheries and 14 fisheries managed by the states and territories.

Threatened species

The department continues to administer provisions of the EPBC Act aimed at protecting migratory and threatened marine species. This has included the review of species recovery plans for great white sharks, grey nurse sharks and whale sharks.

A species recovery plan is under development for Australian sea lion, and a multispecies recovery plan is being developed for sawfish and glyphis (five species).

Case study 1: Australian Government support to the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security: a collaborative approach to biodiversity conservation

In 2010–11 the department finalised planning for the first phase of Australian Government support for the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security. The initiative is a multilateral partnership between the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste to improve food security, sustainable livelihoods and economic development through sustainable management of marine and coastal resources.

The Coral Triangle is a global epicentre of marine biodiversity. It spans only 1.6 per cent of the planet’s oceans, but it is home to 76 per cent of all known coral species: 37 per cent of all known coral reef fish species; 53 per cent of the world’s coral reefs; the greatest extent of mangrove forests in the world, and spawning and juvenile growth areas for tuna and other globally significant commercial fish species.

The health of these ecosystems is also critical for the people of the Coral Triangle region. The health and livelihoods of approximately 240 million people are currently sustained by its significant biodiversity and ecosystems. The region provides with food and income and protects them from severe weather events.

As a Development Partner to the Coral Triangle Initiative, the Australian Government puts a high priority on supporting its implementation. In 2010 the department undertook an extensive consultation process across government to develop the Australian Government Coral Triangle Initiative Support Plan, paving the way for implementation of a $2.5 million package of on-ground support activities in Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Activities in these three countries will build the capacity of partner governments to implement their National Plans of Action under the Coral Triangle Initiative; support the work of community-based organisations in partner countries to achieve tangible on-ground changes, and deliver key research and information to support improved management.

The department has also worked to support the Indonesian Government’s leadership by helping to establish a permanent Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Secretariat, which will be vital to the long-term viability of the initiative as a regional forum.

A snapshot of the biodiversity found within the Coral Triangle. (Candice Mohan)

Case study 2: Whale conservation management plans

Australia is incorporating conservation management plans into its own national procedures for the recovery and protection of cetacean species in Australian waters, bringing Australian conservation measures in line with international best practice. The first such plan for cetaceans in Australian waters is being developed for the Southern Right whale.

Australia has long championed an initiative of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to develop conservation management plans—flexible, tailored management tools that can be applied to improve conservation outcomes for cetaceans through the targeted management of human activities. In April 2011 Australia, on behalf of the Small Advisory Group on Conservation Management Plans within the IWC Conservation Committee, submitted to the IWC a set of key guiding documents and templates to assist member countries to implement conservation management plans, along with recommendations for strengthening the IWC’s engagement on this issue into the future. The documents will be considered for adoption by the IWC at its annual meeting in July 2011.

Conservation management plans can focus on the most at-risk populations, critical cetacean habitat or key threats. By protecting whale populations from the range of modern threats, including climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution and ship strikes, the plans can improve the conservation status of threatened whale populations recovering from overexploitation.

In 2010, at International Whaling Commission 62, the Small Advisory Group was tasked with establishing clear policy principles for conservation management plans, and producing agreed guidelines to help countries to develop their own conservation management plans and to allocate priority to conservation management plans seeking IWC support.

At the same meeting the IWC endorsed the first conservation management plan for the Western North Pacific grey whale. Meanwhile, Argentina has submitted to the IWC a formal nomination for a conservation management plan for the southern right whale off the coast of South America.

Humpback whale tail. (Tony Howard)

Case study 3: Establishment of the Indonesian Bird Banding Scheme

A Rufous-backed Kingfisher (Ceyx rufidorsa) captured in Bali-Barat National Park, Indonesia. (David Drynan)

In 2010–11 the department continued to assist the Indonesian Government with the Indonesian Bird Banding Scheme (IBBS). The IBBS is a nationally-coordinated scheme to improve research coordination and provide a central repository of data collected during monitoring activities.

Australia’s interest in this program stemmed from an interest in coordinated monitoring of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in wild bird populations that occur on our doorstep. Until recently there has been little coordination of monitoring at the national level in Indonesia. In addition the program helps to build Australia’s good relationship with Indonesia, strengthening ties between the two nations.

In 2008 the department secured $304 000 over three years from AusAID’s Public Sector Linkages Program to establish a nationally coordinated bird banding scheme within the Research Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCB-LIPI). The program funds a stock of bird bands and other equipment for use in Indonesia; computing equipment and a relational database for data collected under the scheme, and training for up to 50 Indonesians in bird capture, handling and marking techniques. The Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS) was used as a model for the IBBS.

Up to five experienced Australian bird banders conducted practical training in bird banding in Indonesia between July 2009 and May 2011. A total of 37 trainees attended the five courses in West Java (2), Bali (2) and Central Sulawesi (1). Naturally, some attendees need to gain more experience before being granted an authority to band birds in Indonesia, but many of the trainees proved to be excellent trainers in their own right. Trainees were encouraged to collaborate with other more experienced trainees to increase their experience and commence and maintain long-term studies in Indonesia.

Over 1 500 birds of 114 species were banded as part of the training courses, with a particular highlight being the world’s first banding record for the satanic nightjar (Eurostopodus diabolicus) in Central Sulawesi. This species is only known from a few museum specimens and a handful of sightings on the Anaso Trail in Lore Lindu National Park.

The program presented many challenges, including complex logistical issues, cultural differences, language barriers and, in the case of the final course, a lost passport and emergency travel back to Australia for two of the Australian trainers.

The Indonesian hosts consider the program a great success and it has sparked a surge of interest in ornithology in Indonesia. The ABBBS will continue to advise the IBBS on various issues into the future, further strengthening and enhancing our relationship with the Indonesian Government.

Evaluation

Marine bioregional planning stakeholder consultation

The release of the draft South-west Marine Bioregional Plan and proposed Commonwealth marine reserves network in May 2011 marked an important milestone for the program—this was the first draft plan released for public consultation. The draft plan provides the template for the plans for each of the regions. It sets out conservation priorities for the region based on an assessment of pressures on conservation values, and describes strategies and actions to address those priorities. A key element of the draft plan is a schedule of regional advice on matters of national environmental significance.

The department arranged meetings with stakeholder groups to explain the draft marine bioregional plans, the marine reserve network proposals, and the formal submission process. An important part of the public consultation process is to identify the extent to which the marine reserve network proposals are likely to have any economic or social impacts on industry and coastal communities. This socioeconomic assessment is well underway in the South-west marine region.

Public consultation for South-west Marine Bioregional Plan.