IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU: National Report. Australia (SEA)

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1 Page 1 of 28 Home > Main report > Query full report Select Geographic Area Select Query Country Australia Query full report Go GENERAL INFORMATION Signatory State: Australia (SEA) Agency or institution primarily responsible for the preparation of this report: Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage Any other agencies, institutions, or NGOs that have provided input: Australian Fisheries Management Authority Biomarine International Charles Darwin University (CDU) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department of Conservation and Land Management - Western Australia Department of Fisheries Western Australia Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Humane Society International Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Queensland Environmental Protection Agency Torres Strait Natural Resource Management Ltd Torres Strait Regional Authority Worldwide Fund for Nature Australia Memorandum in effect in country since: 01/09/2001 Report was last updated: 11/01/2005 Designated Focal Point: Mr Clinton Dengate Assistant Director Migratory and Marine Species Section Department of the Environment and Heritage GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 p f clinton.dengate@deh.gov.au OBJECTIVE I: REDUCE DIRECT AND INDIRECT CAUSES OF MARINE TURTLE MORTALITY 1.1 Threats to marine turtle populations and their habitats List by name those nesting beaches, feeding grounds and developmental habitats that are important for marine turtles in your country. Indicate geographic coordinates, if possible. Commonwealth Waters Coral Sea Reserves, including all land above sea level in the Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and all waters within a 20km radius of that land (16deg21'S, 150deg12'E - 17deg11'S, 149deg00'E), and all land above sea level in the Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve and all waters within a 20km radius of that land (16deg57'S, 151deg54'E - 17deg 21'S, 151deg08'E); Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island (including West Island (12deg14'S, 122deg58'E), Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve (12deg14'S, 123deg04'E) and Cartier Island Marine Protected Area (12deg31'S, 123deg33'E)); Field Island (Kakadu National Park) and all water within a

2 Page 2 of 28 20km radius(-12deg10's, 132deg'23E), Elizabeth-Middleton Marine National Nature Reserve; Cocos (Keeling) Islands (12deg09'S, 96deg49'E) (including North Keeling Island/Pulu Keeling National Park).br> Western Australia Waters of mid-west and lower west coast of WA; Dirk Hartog Island (25deg50'S 113deg03'E); Muiron Islands (21deg40'S, 114deg20'E); Lacepede Islands (16deg52'S, 122deg09'E); Barrow Island (21deg47'S, 115deg24'E); Montebello Islands Islands and surrounding waters (proposed marine conservation area) (21deg16'S, 115deg13'E); Lowendal Islands incl Varanus Island (20deg39'S, 115deg34'E); Mundaballungana Station coastline (20deg31'S 118deg04'E); Cape Domett (14deg49'S, 128deg22'E); Dampier Archipelago (21deg22'S, 116deg52'E), incl Rosemary Island and surrounding waters (proposed marine conservation area); Thevenard Island; western mainland shores of the NorthWest Cape within Ningaloo Marine Park and Jurabi Coastal Park, Gnarloo Station; waters of Shark Bay World Heritage Area; Exmouth Gulf; Kimberley Islands incl Troughton, Helpman and Cassini Islands; Cemetry Beach, Port Hedland; Eighty-mile Beach; Serrurier Island. Queensland (Outside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area) Wellesley Group of Islands [Bountiful Island (16deg41'S, 139deg51'E), Pisonia Island (16deg30'S, 139deg48'E)]; Murray Islands, Darnley Island and Bramble Cay [Murray Islands (9deg56'S, 144deg02'E), Darnley Island 9deg35 S, 143deg45 E), Bramble Cay ( , )]; Sassie Island (10deg02'S, 142deg52'E)]; Deliverance Island (9deg31'S, 141deg34'E); Crab Island (10deg59 S, 142deg06 E); Upstart Bay (19deg45'S, 147deg41'E); Mon Repos (24deg48'S, 152deg26'E); Wonngarra Coast Beaches (24deg53'S, 152deg25'E); Hervey Bay (25deg00'S, 152deg52'E); Moreton Bay (27deg17'S, 153deg15'E); Hawksbury Island; Northwestern Cape York Peninsula; Edgecombe Bay ( , ); Lucinda ( , );Red Wallis and Woody Wallis (142 2 and ); Woody ( and ); Johnson Islet ( and ) and Prince of Wales Island Wongai Beach ( and ). Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Raine Island Nature Refuge [Raine Island, (11deg35'S, 144deg02'E), Princess Charlotte Bay (14deg13'S, 143deg58'E); Moulter Cay (11deg24'S, 144deg01'E), Maclennan Cay (11deg19'S, 143deg47'E)]; Cleveland Bay (19deg13'S, 146deg55'E); Sand Banks no7 and 8 [Sand Bank no 8 (13deg22'S, 143deg57'E), Sand Bank 7 (13deg26'S, 143deg58'E)]; Milman Islet and Boydong Island [Milman Islet (11deg10'S, 143deg00'E), Boydong Island (11deg29'S, 143deg01E)]; Rabbit and Newry Islands [Rabbit Island (20deg50'S, 148deg54'E), Newry Island (20deg51'S, 148deg55'E), Outer Newry Island (20deg51'S, 148deg56'E)]; Farmer Island (12deg14'S, 143deg13'E); Sinclair Island (14deg33'S, 144deg54'E); Russell Island and Scott Reef [Russell Island (17deg13'S, 146deg05'E), Scott Reef (17deg05 S, 146deg11 E)]; Douglas Island (21deg41'S 149deg46'E); Bell Cay (21deg48'S, 151deg15'E); Avoid Island (21deg58'S, 149deg39'E); Wild Duck Island (22deg00'S, 149deg51'E); Shoalwater Bay (22deg'30'S, 150deg31'E); Curtis and Facing Islands [Curtis Island (23deg37'S, 151deg09'E), Facing Island (23deg48'S, 151deg21'E)]; Peak Island (23deg20'S, 150deg56'E); Capricorn and Bunker Group of Islands [Northwest Island (23deg17'S, 151deg42'E), Hoskyn Island (23deg48'S, 152deg17'E), Heron Island (23deg26'S, 151deg54'E), Tyron Island (23deg14'S, 151deg46'E), Wreck Island (23deg20'S, 151deg57'E), Erskine Island (23deg30 S, 151deg45 E), Lady Elliott Islands (24deg16'S, 152deg42'E)]; Wreck Rock (24deg18'S, 151deg58'E); Coastal beaches from the Elliot River to Wreck Rock and all waters within a 20km radius (-24deg89's, 152deg51'e); Swains Reef Cays; Bird Island; Howick Group North to Corbett Reef; Coastal waters from Tully to Gladstone; Crocodile Cay; Hydrographers passage to Swains Reef; Rocky Island. Northern Territory Groote Eylandt (14degS, 136deg30 E); Vernon Islands (12deg5 S, 131deg0 E); Tiwi Islands (11degS, 130degE); Sir Edward Pellew Islands (15deg45 S, 136deg45 E); East Arnhem Coast, Nhulunbuy to northern Blue Mud Bay; Wessel & English Company Islands (11deg30 S, 136deg30 E); Coburg Peninsula (11deg15 S, 132degE); Fog Bay (12deg50'S, 130deg17'E); Western Top End Coastline WA border to Fog Bay. 1.2 Best practice approaches to minimizing threats Describe any protocols or approaches for conserving and managing marine turtle populations which you consider to be exemplary and suitable for adaptation and adoption elsewhere in the region. National The Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia outlines the protocols and approaches used to conserve and manage marine turtle populations in Australia and may be suitable for adaptation and adoption elsewhere in the region. It focuses on assessing causes of mortality and addressing information gaps. The Plan seeks to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the national recovery and management of marine turtles and to restore and maintain marine turtle populations at levels that can support sustainable Indigenous subsistence harvest of turtles and eggs. The National Turtle Recovery Group has been established to advise and assist the Australian Government on the implementation and evaluation of the Plan, and to identify priority actions. The Australian Government has also established the Marine and Coastal Committee Taskforce on Dugong and Marine Turtle Populations, which includes national and provincial Governments, and allows a coordinated national approach to dugong and turtle management.the Australian Government supports monitoring rookeries for green turtles in the Coral Sea Reserves and Cocos-Keeling Islands annually to determine long-term population trends in the nesting population, as well as marine debris surveys in the Coral Sea Reserves. GBRMPA co-funds monitoring in Queensland.Other examples of approaches used include those listed below. Western Australia Western Australia:- the baiting of fox populations in the vicinity of mainland North-west Cape green, loggerhead and hawksbill nesting rookeries has reduced nest predation by >90%; and- a standardised nesting turtle monitoring protocol is being developed. Northern Territory

3 Page 3 of 28 Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission monitoring and education program on a local Darwin beach revolving around releasing flatback hatchlings, rather than watching flatback turtles lay eggs, has become extremely popular and effective;- Indigenous marine ranger training has been successful;- the reduction of feral dogs from beaches of the Tiwi islands has increased the success of olive ridley nests;- Indigenous Marine Ranger Programs have been developing monitoring sites for nesting turtles in several places across the NT; and- marine debris surveys have included the recording of impacts on each species and size class as well as cataloguing the types and amount of marine debris present on beaches. Queensland - significant rookeries for several species are monitored annually to determine long term population trends in the nesting population; - fox control on mainland South Queensland beaches has reduced loggerhead egg loss to less than 5% p/a; - feral pig exclusion devices are placed over flatback and olive ridley nests at selected beaches on north western Cape York Peninsula; - feral pig eradication through baiting and aerial shooting activity at strategic locations and times have led to the short-term reduction of pressure on nesting sites across western Cape York (as part of the Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Project and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service s Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy)- an extensive ghost-net removal program is being undertake on north western Cape York to mitigate incidental bycatch of nesting and foraging turtles amongst other marine wildlife; - sustainable hunting management plans are being developed for individual communities hunting turtles in Queensland and Torres Strait; - protection areas are declared over the major sea grass pasture of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay; - selected major nesting sites are managed for no public visitation during the nesting season; - tourist visitation is encouraged to areas (Mon Repos for example) where there is highly regulated visitation and education; - go-slow zones within the Eastern banks of the Moreton Bay area have been successful in reducing boat strikes; - volunteer networks to assist with monitoring of turtle rookeries in Mackey and Townsville regions;- using volunteers, eggs laid on the Woongara Coast which would otherwise be lost to flooding or erosion are relocated within 2 hours of being laid;marine debris surveys, capacity building of local communities and education programs have also been successful in Australia. The Australian Government has allocated $3.8 million to develop community-driven approaches to sustainable management of dugong and marine turtles across northern Australia. While understanding levels of harvest across the north is an important component of the project, it will also seek to understand impacts of other factors like boat strikes, gill nets, marine debris, poaching, and polluted catchments damaging seagrass eaten by turtles. There are also cultural aspects to traditional hunting that are not well understood by the wider community. The project aims to have Traditional Owners from Broome to Cape York and the Torres Strait, to develop a bottom-up approach to wildlife management based on Indigenous customary values. This project is funded for 3 years, beginning February The Australian Government has allocated AUD 2.0 million (with matched in-kind Provincial Government and industry support) to develop a community based clean-up and monitoring program aimed at finding solutions to the marine debris (including discarded fishing nets) problem on the western coast of Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land. A component of this project aims to find ways to recycle discarded nets locally and internationally Which best practice approaches has your country adapted and/or adopted with success? Many controls have been in place in Australia for several years, including placing rookeries in non-traditional land in protected areas; compulsory introduction of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in the East Coast Trawl Fishery, the Northern Prawn Fishery, WA trawl fisheries and the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery; the use of dehookers and line cutting kits on applicable Australian longlining vessels; nest predation mitigation; management of tourism interactions on nesting beaches and development of best environmental practice for turtle watching in Queensland (including in-water interactions); management of vehicle traffic on nesting beaches; informal education and awareness in the Northern Territory; monitoring and research of turtle populations; successful rescuing of doomed eggs to enhance hatchling production; sustainable hunting management plans developed with Traditional Owner communities; and a ban on commercial catch of turtles. 1.3 Programmes to correct adverse economic incentives Describe any socio-economic studies that have been conducted among communities that interact with marine turtles and their habitats. The Australian Government has allocated AUD $3.8 million to a project to be run over three years with Indigenous communities on dugong and turtle management. A component of the project will be the study of socio-economic factors impacting levels of traditional harvest. The contract for this project has recently been finalized Which economic incentives are in need of modification in your country in order to reduce

4 Page 4 of 28 threats to and mortality of marine turtles? Describe any progress made towards implementing modifications to these economic incentives, as well as resources needed and already secured for their implementation. 1.4 Reduction of incidental capture and mortality Which gear, devices and techniques have been developed and/or are used in your country to minimize incidental capture of marine turtles? Devices that allow the escape of marine turtles Spatial closures of fishing activities Seasonal closures of fishing activities Other (list them): Closure of mainland nesting beaches to vehicle traffic in some areas; the use of de-hookers and line cutting kits on applicable Australian longlining vessels. None of the above Describe in more detail any initiatives undertaken with fisheries industries and fisheries management organisations to implement mitigation measures in national waters and on the high seas. A National Policy on Fisheries Bycatch has been adopted with the aim of reducing impacts on bycatch populations and minimising waste. All major fisheries managed by the Australian Government have developed bycatch action plans (BAPs) which outline measures to be taken by the fisheries to manage bycatch. The BAPs for the Northern Prawn and Torres Strait Prawn fisheries include the compulsory use and monitoring of Turtle Excluder Devices. Additionally, seasonal and permanent closures occur over seagrass beds in the Northern Prawn Fishery and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Permanent fishery closures occur within the Coral Sea Natural Nature Reserves and GBRMP 'green areas'. Codes of practice have been developed by most fisheries to minimise their impacts on turtles, and the East Coast Trawl Fishery Code of Practice includes an undertaking to not trawl within 1 mile of major turtle nesting areas. Other specific actions include: - The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Australian Fisheries Management Agency recently funded the project 'Sea Turtle Mitigation for Australian Pelagic Longline Fisheries'. This project will be implemented through a video, onboard research and a series of port visits to educate fishers on turtle conservation, handling, and resuscitation techniques. Longline boats in Mooloolaba, Queensland, are participating in the project, and fishers are reacting positively and seem eager to get involved. Turtle mitigation workshops held to provide fishers with the incentives and the knowledge to reduce sea turtle mortality have been conducted nationally with good attendance from both fishers and observers. Post-workshop discussions have indicated that most fishers considered the workshops to be beneficial with some fishers urging others to attend. A grant has also been received by SeaNet to issue 13 de-hooker kits to the tuna fishery. Port visits were undertaken in NSW and WA early in The Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery and the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery have also developed Codes of Practice, which identifies actions for reducing interactions with turtles, amongst other species.- An observer program has been implemented in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery and the Southern and Western Tuna and Billfish Fishery. - A report was sponsored by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage outlining the current state of knowledge on the sources and impacts of marine debris in northern Australia and recommendations to mitigate the impacts of debris and prevention of the issue at its source. More details are given in section The coordination via of a team of sea turtle scientists, industry representatives, fisheries management and government officials and Non-Government Organisation representatives to determine suitable research components. A group has been convened and remains in contact. - The testing of a selection of dip nets, line-cutters and de-hookers in the Australian pelagic longline fisheries. In addition to six dehooker and line-cutting kits purchased through the project, Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust funding was obtained to purchase more kits for trialling in Australian longline fleets. The kits were purchased from the company supplying US longliners. Comments received back from fishers and observers using the gear have been very positive. - The collection of biological data and samples by trained volunteer fishermen to be used in research projects. Since December 2003 a number of data sheets reporting turtle interactions have been returned, six genetic samples have been taken and three turtles have been tagged. - Participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Derelict Fishing Gear and Related Marine Debris seminar, January 2004, Honolulu, Hawaii Describe any procedures or training programmes developed to promote implementation of these measures (e.g. vessel monitoring systems, inspections, on-board observer programmes etc.)

5 Page 5 of Has your country exchanged information and provided technical assistance to other signatory States to promote these activities? Please give details. The Australian Government participated in the FAO Technical Consultation on Sea Turtles Conservation and Fisheries held in Bangkok, Thailand, 29 November - December 2004.The Australian Government participated in the Hawksbill workshop at the 24th Turtle Symposium, Costa Rico;The Australian Government participated in the Hawksbill Population Modelling Workshop in Hawaii, May 2004.The Australian Government has sponsored a community-based conservation program on leatherback turtles in Papua New Guinea. The objective of the project was to work with the Kamiali community to: 1. Build community awareness of the need to sustainably manage their harvest of leatherback turtle eggs; 2. Provide training to the community rangers and Wildlife Management Area Committee members on management options and methods; 3. Develop a strategy for sustainable harvest of leatherback turtle eggs; and 4. Develop a model for community-based conservation of nesting beaches of marine turtles for potential application through Papua New Guinea. The major outcome was that the Huon Coast Leatherback Turtle Conservation Network was formed. Trialling Turtle Excluder Devices and Bycatch Reduction Devices in the Kuwait Shrimp Trawl Fishery. Researchers at the Australian Maritime College received funding from the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research to conduct research and to educate fishers in the Kuwait Shrimp Trawl Fishery about the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs). Workshops were conducted with fishers to provide hands-on training in the design and construction the TEDs and BRDs. Fishers were also instructed on how to make TEDs and BRDs and were given on-board training in their use. The TEDs and BRDs were compared to the bycatch in standard nets during three 1-week periods at sea in late The Humane Society International gives financial support to the Indonesian conservation group, Pro Fauna (formerly called KSBK or Animal Conservation for Life). Pro Fauna works to investigate illegal trade in turtles in Indonesia What measures has your country taken in support of UN General Assembly Resolution 46/215 concerning the moratorium on the use of large-scale driftnets? Australia passed legislation in 1991 (Australian Fisheries Management Act 1991) that gives effect to the Convention for the Prohibition of Fishing with long Drift Nets in the South Pacific. In the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the largest commercial nets that can be used are 1.2km in length. They can only be used in accordance with the Queensland Fisheries Act 1994 and Fisheries Regulations In the Torres Strait, commercial net fishing for finfish is banned because of concerns regarding the undesirable impact of net fishing particularly in terms of bycatch including marine turtles. Previously, commercial operators could use nets up to 1.2km in length with a 20m drop Has your country developed and/or implemented net retention and recycling schemes? Please give details. A report was sponsored by the Australian Government outlining the current state of knowledge on the sources and impacts of marine debris in northern Australia and making recommendations to mitigate the impact of debris and prevention of the issue at its source. Marine debris has also been identified as an issue in the regional marine planning process for the northern planning area, as well as in the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia. Queensland fisheries are investigating the potential for recycling systems for discarded monofilament lines from recreational fisheries, and are currently collecting data on the viability of these systems. The Australian Government has allocated AUD 2.0 million (with matched in-kind Provincial Government and industry support) to develop a community based clean-up and monitoring program aimed at finding solutions to the marine debris (including discarded fishing nets) problem on the western coast of Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land. A component of this project aims to find ways to recycle discarded nets locally and internationally Does your country provide and ensure the use of port facilities for the disposal of ship-borne waste? Please give details. Heavily used ports in Southern Australia provide port facilities for ship borne waste. Garbage and oil waste

6 Page 6 of 28 reception facilities are provided at most ports. A few ports provide sewage reception facilities, although the majority of ships coming into Australia are fitted with a sewage management system. However, some ports lack capacity to handle vessel-sourced and fishing-related debris. 1.5 Prohibition of harvest of, and trade in, marine turtles Has your country already enacted legislation to prohibit direct harvest and domestic trade in marine turtles, their eggs, parts and products? Please give details, including any exceptions made. Please give details. Federal Legislation: Federal Legislation:The direct harvest of marine turtles is prohibited in Commonwealth waters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) without a permit. It is an offence to injure, kill, take, trade, keep or move a member of a listed threatened, listed migratory or listed marine species (turtles are listed as all three) without a permit, unless it is:carried out in accordance with a State/Territory or Australian Government fishery plan of management accredited by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage; orunder the Native Title Act (1993) which provides a native title right to direct harvest by indigenous people, where that harvest is for the purpose of satisfying personal, domestic, or non-commercial communal needs; and in the exercise or enjoyment of native title rights and interests. Provincial Legislation:Relevant provincial Governments have also enacted legislation to protect marine turtles Please indicate the level and the impact of traditional harvest on marine turtles and their eggs. Provide the source of information to make this assessment. Level of harvest: HIGH MODEST LOW NONE UNKNOWN Source of information (type in): Available information was summarised in the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia (Environment Australia 2003). An attempt was made to quantify the level of Indigenous take in some regions through the report 'National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey' (2003), however the methodology of this research has been criticised. Research on the issue of Indigenous take is in its infancy, and more research and reporting is needed to accurately quantify the level of take. Monitoring of Indigenous take of turtles and their eggs in Torres Strait is a priority action under the Torres Strait component of the funding available the project described in Other research shows that hawksbill turtle populations in NE Australia are declining at 3% per year. This is partly attributed to turtle and egg harvest in Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Demographic population modelling of southern GBRMP stock in response to available data on Indigenous harvest indicate that the current harvest rates may not be sustainable in the context of other human related mortality factors (Chaloupka 2002). In WA a study into the extent of Indigenous harvest of turtles in the Broome / Dampier peninsula area of the west Kimberley region indicated that green turtles in the order of 500 are taken annually. The Australian Government has allocated $3.8 million to develop community-driven approaches to sustainable management of dugong and marine turtles across northern Australia. While understanding levels of harvest across the north is an important component of the project, it will also seek to understand impacts of other factors like boat strikes, shark nets, marine debris, poaching for crab bait, and polluted catchments damaging seagrass eaten by the dugong and turtle. There are also cultural aspects to traditional hunting that are not well understood by the wider community. The project aims to have Traditional Owners from Broome to Cape York and the Torres Strait, to develop a bottom-up approach to wildlife management based on Indigenous customary values. This project is funded for three years, beginning February Impact of harvest: HIGH MODEST LOW NONE UNKNOWN Source of information (type in): Have any management programmes been established that include limits on levels of intentional harvest? If yes, please give details. In early 2004, the Marine and Coastal Committee (MACC) Taskforce on Dugong and Marine Turtle Populations was formed to develop a nationally coordinated approach to the management of the Indigenous harvest of dugong and marine turtles.the Australian Government has allocated $3.8 million to develop community-driven approaches to sustainable management of dugong and marine turtles across northern Australia. While understanding levels of harvest across the north is an important component of the project, it also seeks to understand impacts of other factors like boat strikes, shark nets, marine debris, poaching for crab bait, and polluted catchments damaging seagrass eaten by the dugong and turtle. There are also cultural aspects to traditional hunting that are not well understood by the wider community. The

7 Page 7 of 28 project aims to have Traditional Owners from Broome to Cape York and the Torres Strait, to develop a bottomup approach to wildlife management based on Indigenous customary values. This project is funded for 3 years, beginning February Nationally, see Provincially, there are a small number of programs including a permit system introduced in Queensland. In the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area a regulatory framework has been established for managing harvest of marine turtles What are the cultural and traditional values, and economic uses of marine turtles in your country (consumptive and non-consumptive)? Meat consumption Egg consumption Shell products Fat consumption Traditional medicine Eco-tourism programmes centred on marine turtles Marine turtles are culturally/traditionally significant Other (list): Education and research. For example, turtles have been the focus of curriculum development in Aboriginal schools in the Northern Territory, particular Describe any management agreements being negotiated, or already in place, with other concerned States in relation to sustainable levels of traditional harvest. The Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Indonesia (1974) permits traditional Indonesian fishers to enter areas of the Australian Fishing Zone and Continental Shelf within the Box for traditional fishing, but excludes the take of turtles in the box. The MoU Box Management Committee was established by Indonesian and Australian Government officials in It was agreed that the basic premise of action on the MoU Box would be to conserve MoU Box resources whilst observing the needs of traditional fishers. An evolving management document, known as the MoU Box Management Strategy, has been developed. The Torres Strait Treaty ('the Treaty') between Australia and Papua New Guinea came into force on February The Treaty defines conservation outcomes for the region. The main purposes of the Treaty are, inter alia, to set out in law the importance of: - the preservation of the traditional way of life and livelihood of traditional inhabitants of the Torres Strait; and - the protection and preservation of the marine environment and indigenous flora and fauna. The Treaty establishes a Torres Strait Protected Zone (TSPZ), which covers both Australian and PNG waters. Traditional inhabitants may engage in traditional activities, including traditional fishing, turtle and dugong hunting, within the TSPZ. The sale of turtle meat and products is prohibited (Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority 2001). Some traditional harvest monitoring programs have been operating in Australian waters and efforts have been made to extend these programs into Papua New Guinean waters (Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority 2001). Two committees have been established under the Treaty to ensure its effective operation: the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC); and the Environment Management Committee (EMC). The EMC is the main environmental advisory mechanism to the JAC and discusses a number of environmental issues relevant to the region including fisheries management, mining, turtles and dugong, and marine pollution. 1.6 Nesting beach programmes Has your country undertaken a recent evaluation of the effectiveness of its nest and beach management programmes? If yes, provide a reference/contact for any published or unpublished reports. On western Cape York, the Cape York Weeds and Feral Animal Program (hosted by Cook Shire Council), assisted by the Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy conducted a feral pig eradication program from Rutland Plains to Old Mapoon (through baiting and aerial shooting), during May pigs were eradicated, reducing the overall population by 68% that were living on the marine plain resulting in the absence of pig tracks along the beach after the baiting had occurred, easing the pressure on turtle nesting sites (Seymour and Molyneaux, 2003, unpublished report). A second eradication program with the Napranum community (near Weipa on western Cape York) was undertaken late September 2003, with over 300 pigs destroyed in 8 hours significantly reducing the population within a 2km distance from the coast. Analysis of these programmes have found that an aerial shoot exercise, followed by a baiting campaign on the remaining pigs should be carried out before each year s turtle-nesting season begins, to ensure that turtle nesting sites are given every opportunity to evolve naturally with only minimum disturbance from feral pigs. Work on developing protocols to standardize the monitoring of marine turtles is underway. A Technical Working Group of turtle researchers has been formed to develop draft national protocols for the monitoring of marine turtle populations and mortality. The Technical Working Group has reported to the National Turtle Recovery Group and the Department of the Environment and Heritage on progress made. The National protocol on Monitoring is expected to be finalised in What measures are in place to minimise or reduce the mortality of eggs, hatchlings and nesting

8 Page 8 of 28 females (including that caused by feral and domestic animals)? The Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia (2003) identifies both the protection of habitat critical to turtles and factors impacting turtle nesting as priority actions. The Recovery Plan is available for download from the web at Providing protection for nesting beaches is identified and four factors are identified as impacting turtle nesting, including light pollution, tourism and recreational activities, vehicle damage and faunal predation. The Plan also identifies areas impacted by these threats and identifies the needs for action. The National Turtle Recovery Group has also been established to advise and assist the Department of the Environment and Heritage on the implementation and evaluation of the Plan, and to identify priority actions. Nationally, the Australian Government has provided funds for a number of programs, including nest monitoring and protection on Western Cape York, Queensland, from feral pigs; loggerhead turtle nest monitoring and protection projects based in Western Australia, including fox baiting, the trialling of three types of devices which save turtle nests from depredation by foxes and community awareness; continuation of a turtle nest monitoring and tagging project begun in 1974 at Mon Repos, Queensland and also a project begun in 1992 in the Coral Sea Reserves; improving nesting beach conditions at Sarina Beach and Freshwater Point in Queensland through capping street lights, restriction of vehicle access, removal of weeds on dunes and community awareness; developing a management strategy for the control of pigs and other feral animals on Prince of Wales Island, Torres Strait; monitoring of turtle nesting in the Dampier Archipelago, WA; and reduction of the amount of feral dog mortality on olive ridley nests in the Tiwi Islands north of the Northern Territory. In the Cocos (Keeling) Islands most turtle nesting is within Pulu Keeling National Park and is protected. In Queensland, fox control on loggerhead nesting beaches to minimise egg losses, and the establishment of an egg relocation program on mainland beaches in Woongarra Coast, if those nests are prone to flooding. This has increased hatchling production by 25% in green turtle 'doomed eggs'. Complementary marine protected area zoning in waters adjacent to key rookeries in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. In Western Australia, fox baiting and closure of some mainland beaches to vehicular traffic. The WA Department of Conservation and Land Management and WWF commenced a joint nest-monitoring program along the north-west Cape during the 2003/04 breeding season. No reports are available as yet. A similar program is being established for beaches in the Port Headland area. A standardized nesting turtle monitoring program is also being implemented in WA. In the Northern Territory, activities include relocation of nests in peril from beach erosion/dune movement and education programs, as well as collaborative programs with traditional owners. For example, the Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation in North-east Arnhem Land has been involved in a collaborative marine turtle research, monitoring and management program with the Key Centre for Tropical Wildlife Management- Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory Government over the past 10 years. OBJECTIVE II: PROTECT, CONSERVE AND REHABILITATE MARINE TURTLE HABITATS 2.1 Measures to protect and conserve marine turtle habitats What incentives are there for assuring adequate protection of critical habitat outside of established protected areas? Nationally, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) lists all 6 marine turtle species found in Australian waters as threatened and migratory; which makes them matters of National Environmental Significance (NES). Additionally, under the EPBC Act areas of the marine environment under Australian Government jurisdiction and world heritage areas are a matter of national environmental significance (in some cases turtles are one of world heritage values underlying the listing). Any action which has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on matters of National Environmental Significance (including marine turtles, or the marine environment under Australian Government jurisdiction) must be referred to the Department of the Environment and Heritage for assessment (EIA) and approval. The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area has similar environmental impact assessment process to that under the EPBC Act. Marine turtles are also protected under legislation by Australian provincial governments Are assessments routinely made of the environmental impact on marine turtles and their habitats of marine and coastal development and other human activities? If yes, give details. Nationally, under the EPBC Act all developments in Australia s jurisdiction that affect matters of national environmental significance (including marine turtles and the marine environment) must be referred to the DEH for assessment (EIA) and approval.

9 Page 9 of 28 In the Northern Territory, marine debris surveys are conducted annually in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land Entanglement Surveys. Impacts are assessed during these annual trips. In Queensland, monitoring of wild turtle populations at selected foraging areas to assess turtle health, including incidence of boatstrike fractures, fibropapilloma disease, and a statewide stranding program recording the distribution of sick, injured and dead marine turtles with identification of cause of death where possible. This is linked to a Queensland wide GIS compatible stranding database. In Western Australia, conservation of marine turtles is considered as a part of the compulsory EIS for all major development/mining applications. The proposed Gorgon gas development project on Barrow Island, WA has identified the potential impacts of the gas plant on nesting flatback turtles as significant and will be putting in place engineering solutions to reduce the impact to a minimum. A turtle-monitoring program will also be implemented In general terms, what measures are in place to manage and regulate the use of beaches and dunes? Regulations regarding location and design of buildings Regulations on the use of artificial lighting Regulations on the transit of vehicles in nesting areas None of the above Other (describe): Beach closures/controlled access to beaches and waters, incl. lighting, anchoring etcrestricted/limited visitation to Australian MPAs Use this box to comment further on any of the answers above: In Western Australia, the ability to close beaches to vehicle traffic is limited to conservation estates managed by WA Department of Conservation and Land Management Is water quality monitored, and are steps taken to protect water quality from land based and maritime pollution? If yes, please give details. In the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia, the need to protect habitats that are critical to marine turtles is a priority action. The Plan specifically recognises that water quality is impacted by both land management and maritime pollution and prescribed actions to protect turtle habitat from these impacts. Australian EPBC Act and MPA Plans of Management restrict discharges into MPAs. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (RWQPP) identifies actions, mechanisms and partnerships to build on existing Government policies and industry and community initiatives to assist in halting and reversing the decline in the quality of water entering the Reef. It can be downloaded from: In Queensland, the EPA monitors water quality throughout Queensland's streams and bays What measures are being applied to ensure the effective prohibition of the use of poisonous chemicals and explosives? Using poisonous chemicals and explosives for fishing purposes is not permitted in Australia. In Western Australia the use of chemicals and explosives in the mining industry is regulated and closely monitored. Within the GBRMP, permits are required to manage port activities including the use of chemicals. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 does not allow the unauthorised discharge of waste in the Marine Park. In Queensland, compliance is monitored via the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol. 2.2 Rehabilitation of degraded marine turtle habitats Have any efforts been made to re-vegetate frontal dunes at nesting beaches? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) Nationally, the Australian Government has funded work to eradicate weeds, to revegetate dunes and to reduce erosion. In the Northern Territory there is some general dune management in a number of parks and reserves which is not specifically marine turtle related. In Queensland, the dunes of Mon Repos Conservation Park were revegetated with native forest in 1985 to prevent disorientation of hatchlings inland. This has successfully reduced hatchling disorientation at this beach Are efforts being made to remove debris that impedes turtle nesting and hatchling production?

10 Page 10 of 28 If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) Examples include marine debris collection from survey sections of beaches in NT, Bare Sand Island, islets in the Coringa-Herald NNR and Ashmore Reef. At Cocos (Keeling) Islands, some effort is made to destroy large nets washed ashore. On Christmas Island, the Australian Government s Envirofund is funding a project to clear debris from nesting habitat of the green and hawksbill turtle. For more information in areas of the northern Australia coastline, see initiatives summarised in Kiessling, I (2003), Finding Solutions to Derelict Fishing Gear and Other Marine Debris in Northern Australia, Key Centre for Tropical Wildlife Management, Charles Darwin University, National Oceans Office and Department of Environment and Heritage. On Western Cape York, Queensland, ghost nets are being removed from nesting beaches. The Australian Government has allocated AUD 2.0 million to a project entitled Ghost Nets in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This project is intended to develop and implement a coordinated program for the collection and safe disposal of marine debris (particularly derilict fishing gear) with the Gulf of Carpentaria. Partners in the projects include regional resource management groups, Indigenous communities, the fishing industry and conservation groups. The project is receiving additional practical assistance from research organizations, and from Australian and Provincial government agencies Are efforts being made to recover degraded coral reefs? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - reef water quality protection plans should improve coral reef habitats in the long term. In Cocos (Keeling) Islands - reefs are healthy due to their remoteness and are monitored by Parks Australia North using ReefCheck. Reefs in other Australian MPAs (Coringa-Herald, Lihou Reef, Elizabeth-Middleton Reefs, Ashmore Reef etc), are also being monitored by the Australian Institute of Marine Science Are efforts being made to recover degraded mangrove and seagrass habitats? If yes, give details (location, timing, effectiveness etc.) In the GBRMP the reef water quality protection plans should improve mangrove and seagrass habitats in the long term. At Cocos (Keeling) Islands, efforts are being made to protect important seagrass habitat from degradation by a new port facility and now proposed hovercraft service. Also at Cocos, lagoon coastal vegetation (which hawksbill turtles shelter under during the day) is cut back for firewood. A program to revegetate part of the lagoon edge has commenced. Seagrass-Watch a community-based seagrass monitoring program in Queensland, supported by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and the Australian Government s Natural Heritage Trust, has grown extensively since it began in Seagrass health and species composition at over 40 sites are now regularly monitored across the east coast of Queensland and the Torres Strait. Data is hosted in a database provided by the Queensland Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Northern Fisheries Centre, with the interpretation of results circulated to coastal communities via a quarterly newsletter. Areas of degraded seagrass habitats are reported through regular monitoring leading to targeted investigation to the cause of seagrass decline. OBJECTIVE III: IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE TURTLE ECOLOGY AND POPULATIONS THROUGH RESEARCH, MONITORING AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE 3.1 Studies on marine turtles and their habitats Have baseline studies been conducted or other information gathered on marine turtle populations and their habitats in your country? If yes, cite any available relevant literature. Current information is summarised in the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia (Environment Australia 2003). The Australian Government is also funding a study through the Natural Heritage Trust to have marine turtle population status at the provincial government level collated. Individual/localised information includes a turtle entanglement database for Arnhem Land, and skin sample collections. At Cocos-Keeling Islands, baseline studies and ongoing studies on green and hawksbills in foraging habitat occur, as well as assessment of turtle nesting numbers and importance of beaches. Future anticipated work includes a proposed study to begin at Sir Edward Pellew Islands, Gulf of Carpentaria, to investigate nesting habitat of green and flatback turtles, and satellite tracking of Olive Ridleys in April In the

11 Page 11 of 28 Northern Territory, a survey which included marine turtles was conducted through the 1990s. Information is progressively being written up, and the marine turtle report is expected to be completed late 2004 or early Information is also available from the following sources: McMasters, S, Interactions between Lynobya najuscula and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Moreton Bay, B.Sc.Hon. Thesis, Zoology Department, University of Queensland. 2002:1-74. Henry, G. W. and Lyle, J. M. (Eds)., The national recreational and indigenous fishing survey, Cronulla: NSW Fisheries: Chaloupka, M., Stochastic simulation modelling of southern Great Barrier Reef green turtle population dynamics. Ecological Modelling, 2002:148: Arthur, K.E.; Limpus, C.J.: and Balazs, G.H., The toxic cyanobacteria Lynobya majuscula in the diet of green turtle Chelonia mydas. Presented at 23rd International Sea Turtle Symposium, Kuala Lumpur. 2003: pp 1-4. Bell, I.,Turtle Population Dynamics in the Hay Point, abbott point and lucinda port Areas. Unpublished Report to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. 2003:1-37 Hewavisenthi, S. and Parmenter, C.J., Egg components and utilization of yolk lipids during development of the flatback turtle (Natalor depressus). Journal of Herpetology. 2002:36: Hewavisenthi, S. and Parmenter, C.J., Incubation environment and nest success of the flatback turtle (Natalor depressus) from a natural nesting beach. Copeia. 2002: 2002: Limpus, C. J. and Limpus D.J., The biology of the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, in southwest Pacific Ocean foraging areas. In: Witherington, B. and Bolton, A. Biology and Conservation of Loggerhead Turtles. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. 2003: p Limpus, C. J. and Limpus D.J., The loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, in the Equatorial and southwest Pacific Ocean: a species in decline. In: Witherington, B. and Bolton, A. Biology and Conservation of Loggerhead Turtles. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. 2003: p Limpus, C. J.: Miller,D.J.: Parmenter, C.J., and Limpus D.J., The green turtle, Chelonia mydas, population of Raine Island and the northern Great Barrier Reef: Memoirs Queensland Museum. 2003: 49(1) Moritz. C.: Broderick, D.: Dethmers, K.: FitzSimmons, N., and Limpus C., Population genetics of southeast Asian and western Pacific green turtles, Chelonia mydas. Unpublished Report to UNEP/CMS Hamann, M.: Limpus, C.J., ad Whittier, J..M., Patterns of lipid storage and mobilisation in the female green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Journal of Comparative Physiology. 2002: 172: Philliot, A.D.: Parmenter. C.J.: Limpus, C.J., and Harrower, K.M., Mycobiota as acute and chronic cloacal contaminants of female sea turtles. Australian Journal of Zoolology. 2002: 50: Neil, D., Empirical modelling of tidewater intrusion into turtle nesting habitat on Raine Island, northern Great Barrier Reef. Unpublished Report to Raine Island Corporation. 2003:1-12. Speirs, M., A study of marine turtle populations at the Julian Rocks Aquatic Reserve northern New South Wales, Unpublished B. Sc.Hon. Thesis School of Environmental Science and Management Southern Cross University Chaloupka, M.Y., and Limpus C. J., Survial probability estimates for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle resident in South Great Barrier Reef Waters Marine Biology 2002(?) 140: Read, M. A., and Limpus C. J., The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Queensland: feeding ecology of immature turtles in a temperate feeding area. Memoirs Queensland Museum 2002, 48(1): Jessop, T. S., Limpus C. J., and Whittier J. M., Nocturnal activity in the green sea turtle alters daily profiles of melatonin and corticosterone. Hormonse and Behavious : Limpus C. J., Conservation and research of sea turtles in the Western Pacific Region - an overview - in Kinan I., ed. Proceedings of the Western Pacific Sea Turtle Cooperative Research and Management Workshop, Honolulu. Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council; 2002 pp Limpus C. J., Miller J. D., Limpus D. J., and Harnann M., The Raine Island green turtle rookery Y2K update NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS - SEFSC : Limpus C. J., Parmenter J., and Limpus C. J., The status of the flatback turtle, natator depressus, in eastern Australia, NOAA Technical memorandum NMFS-SEFSC : AFMA Turtle and Dugong catch monitoring report, Friday 9 May 2003 Saturday 10 May 2003, Thursday Island: Australian Fisheries Management Authority and National Ocean Office Kennett, R. Webb, A. Duff, G. Guinea, M. and Hill, G., (1998) Marine turtle conservation and management in northern Australia. Centre for Indigenous Natural and Cultural Resource Management, Centre for Tropical