Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011–12
Program 1.2 Environmental regulation, information and research
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- Progressing the government’s international whale conservation agenda
- National Environmental Research Program
- International marine conservation initiatives
- Environmental biosecurity
- Effective management of existing Commonwealth marine reserves
- Development of new Commonwealth marine reserves
- Migratory birds agreements
- Montara Environmental Monitoring Program
Program 1.2 Environmental regulation, information and researchAustralian Biological Resources StudyThe Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) collects and disseminates information on plants, animals and other organisms found in Australia. Its range of taxonomic work and databases provides authoritative national references for species’ names. The program funds research and training in taxonomy (the science of naming, describing and classifying biodiversity). Accurate naming of species and understanding their relationships is critical for biodiversity conservation, biosecurity, and a range of industry uses such as agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Bush Blitz is a multi-million dollar national biodiversity discovery partnership under the ABRS between the Australian Government, BHP Billiton and Earthwatch Australia. Bush Blitz is managed by the ABRS and supports key ABRS priorities, including promoting and raising the profile of taxonomy, completing the national biodiversity picture, strengthening the taxonomy funding and relationship base, and increasing Australia’s taxonomic capacity. Bush Blitz successfully completed five expeditions across National Reserve System properties totalling 604607 hectares in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The program also funded a total of 11 capacity-building grants and tactical taxonomy contracts to participating Bush Blitz scientists. The Atlas of Living Australia-funded National Species List project supported the ABRS in updating fauna, algae and lichen names data with the aim to include or update names information of all described species in Australia, thereby helping to meet a key ABRS objective to complete the national biodiversity picture. Progressing the government’s international whale conservation agendaIn 2011–12 Australia worked closely with other pro-conservation countries in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to progress IWC-agreed governance reforms and conservation initiatives, including:
On 9 March 2012, Japan submitted its written submission to the International Court of Justice, in response to the Australian Government’s legal action against Japan’s so-called ‘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. Cetacean and marine mammal research grants were awarded under the Australian Marine Mammal Centre grants program (totalling $652,000); the Indo-Pacific Cetacean Research and Conservation Fund ($100,000); and the Bill Dawbin Postdoctoral fellowship ($146,000). These grants further cement Australia 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 management objectives. Australia attended the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme workshop from 8–14 March 2012 to review and revise regional action plans for the conservation of whales and dolphins that use the region. Whole-of-government processes were established and implemented to share information, make decisions and prepare government responses to events in the Southern Ocean during the 2011–12 Japanese Southern Ocean whaling season. National Environmental Research ProgramResearch plays a vital role in delivering effective environmental management, policies and programs. The National Environmental Research Program (NERP) will provide around $20 million each year for environmental research to improve our capacity to understand, manage and conserve Australia’s unique biodiversity and ecosystems through the generation of world-class research, and its delivery to Australian environmental decision-makers and other stakeholders. International marine conservation initiativesThe department was involved in a range of international marine conservation initiatives to support Australia’s domestic marine conservation objectives and to allow Australia to play a constructive role in the international community. Some key areas of engagement are listed below. The Coral Triangle Initiative: the department leads Australian Government engagement as an official development partner to the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) on coral reefs, fisheries and food security, a partnership that brings together Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and East Timor to accelerate efforts to safeguard marine and coastal resources for current and future generations. The Coral Triangle is renowned for its outstanding marine biodiversity, containing more than half of the world’s coral reefs and over a third of its coral reef fish species. The department supported the CTI countries in adopting key governance arrangements to support delivery of the initiative. Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Project: Australia is working closely with Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea in implementing the ATSEA Project. ATSEA is funded by the United Nations Global Environment Facility as an international waters project. The tropical Arafura and Timor seas are rich in living and non-living marine resources and provide a major shipping route. The objective of the ATSEA is to develop a framework for integrated, cooperative, sustainable and ecosystem-based management and use of the living coastal and marine resources of the Arafura and Timor seas, particularly in support of livelihoods. The department contributed to the drafting of a regional strategic action program that will guide collective action by the countries to address identified transboundary threats.
In supporting actions under threat abatement plans, a range of research and other projects were funded. For example, a field efficacy trial for a new feral cat bait system (Curiosity®) was undertaken in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, to support the case for registration of this product. Effective management of existing Commonwealth marine reservesThe department is responsible for the day-to-day management of existing Commonwealth marine reserves, including compliance and enforcement. The department collaborates with other Commonwealth agencies—in particular the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority—and state agencies to ensure effective delivery of management functions. Many of these functions are delivered under formal service agreements with the Director of National Parks and the department. A key objective for 2011–12 was the development of a network management plan for the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network, which was declared in 2007 and has been under interim management arrangements since that time. The draft management plan was completed in 2011–12 and released for public consultation in July 2012. The network management plan will provide a framework for future management planning required for new Commonwealth marine reserves identified through the marine bioregional planning process. Development of new Commonwealth marine reservesAs part of the marine bioregional planning program, new Commonwealth marine reserves networks in the South-west, North-west, North, Temperate East and Coral Sea marine regions were identified. These Commonwealth marine reserves will play an important role in the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems and the biodiversity of our oceans. They will also meet Australia’s international and national commitments to establish a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas. Between May 2011 and February 2012 the Australian Government released draft Commonwealth marine reserves network proposals for public comment in each region. More than 566000 submissions were received across all regions during the consultation periods. Information received through public submissions and stakeholder consultations, together with detailed socioeconomic assessments, were considered by the Australian Government in finalising the marine reserve network proposals. Migratory birds agreementsThe sixth Meeting of Partners of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership was held from 19–23 March 2012 in Indonesia. Highlights of the meeting included:
Montara Environmental Monitoring ProgramThe department has continued to work with PTTEP Australasia (Asmore Cartier) Pty Ltd (PTTEPAA) to implement the Environmental Monitoring Program in response to the 2009 Montara oil spill. In 2011–12, three scientific monitoring study reports investigating effects on fish in the Timor Sea were released. The studies showed that some fish were exposed to oil and that there were some associated physiological effects, but that these effects were declining. The department continued to work closely with the Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and other relevant agencies to implement the government’s response to the report of the Montara Commission of Inquiry, which was released on 25 May 2011. Directory: system -> files -> resources resources -> Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An Analysis of International Approaches resources -> The National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List: 1 july 2008 30 june 2013 resources -> Reference list for water related coal seam gas and coal mining research resources -> Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators isd sections of Law resources -> Executive Summary 3 Background 4 Developing the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme 4 resources -> Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by resources -> Sawfish and River Sharks Multispecies Issues Paper resources -> Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Queensland Crocodile Farming Download 5.6 Mb. Share with your friends:
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