

State and trends of species and taxa groups
State and trends of species and taxa groups
This assessment summary has changed it's name since 2011
Sharks and rays
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- It was not clear why some species were identified singly and others were not. To maintain consistency across assessments single species categories were removed and where relevant specific case studies on each included in the 2016 report. Further, in regards to the shark assessments available data would have resulted in the same grade and trend being assigned to each, so it was regarded as not sensible to divide off two of the species.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Status and trends are largely unknown and assumed to be good, but likely to vary between species and regions. The Temperate East, South-east, South-west marine regions are in poorer condition than the national state.
Sharks and rays
East, south-east and south-west in poor condition for some species (e.g. east coast population of grey nurse sharks)
Whale sharks
South-west in very poor condition
Great white sharks
Condition continues to decline in the east
Tuna and Billfish
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- It was not clear why some species were identified singly and others were not. To maintain consistency across assessments single species categories were removed and where relevant specific case studies on each included in the 2016 report
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Individual species have differing status and trends, with most formally assessed as in good condition. However, some are overfished at the regional level. Status is calculated at regional fisheries management scales rather than national or bioregional scales.
Tuna and billfish
Condition very poor in the south-west and continuing to decline
Southern bluefin tuna
Condition very poor and stable
Shelf (0–250 m)—demersal and benthopelagic fish species
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The depth categorisation has been revised to reflect species composition change points.Titles have been standardised across the two assessments.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Although most populations are improving, there are persistent, substantial effects on some populations
Outer shelf (>50 m)—demersal and benthopelagic fish species
Condition improving in all regions except the north-west, where the condition is generally stable but the worst areas continue to decline
Inner shelf —demersal fish species
South-east in good condition and improving
Slope (> 250 m)—demersal and benthopelagic fish species
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The depth categorisation has been revised to reflect species composition change points. Titles have been standardised across the two assessments.assessments
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
The South-east Marine Region is in poorer condition than the other regions
Only south-east was assessed
Epipelagic fish species
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- Assessment title has been revised to maintain consistency in the use of ocean zone terms (epipelagic, mesopelagic, benthopelagic)
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Assessments are restricted to the Temperate East, South-east and South-west marine regions. Fishing pressure has lessened and biomass information is improving.
South-east and south-west were assessed, with condition improving in the south-west
Data from only the South-east Marine Region were assessed.
Only east and south-east were assessed
Inner shelf (0–25 m)—reef fish species
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The depth range in the title of the assessment has been defined to maintain consistency in use across assessments.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Trend data are lacking for the North and North-west marine regions. Other regions have experienced continued worsening.
South-west, east and south-east were assessed, and are all in poor condition
Inner shelf (0–25 m)—invertebrate species
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The depth range in the title of the assessment has been defined to maintain consistency in use across assessments.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
State and trends are likely to be regionally variable, but time-series data are lacking for most of Australia. Some localised improvements are likely, but some areas are worsening because of extreme climate events and climate change−induced range expansions.
East and south-east in poor condition
Outer shelf (25–250 m)—invertebrate species
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The depth range in the title of the assessment has been defined to maintain consistency in use across assessments.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Temporal data and historical baselines to determine status and trend are limited. Trawling effort pressures are decreasing in the long term, but pressures associated with climate change are increasing.
South-east in poor condition
Seabirds
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The assessment title has been revised to reflect that some seabird species can be resident during components of the year/their life cycle and migratory during other components the year/their life cycle, thereby making it difficult to consistently divide species by the two categories.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Population status and trends for species are mixed, with some increasing, some decreasing, some stable and some unknown
Seabirds—migratory
South-west in very poor condition
Seabirds—resident
South-east in poor condition
Population status and trends for species are mixed, with monitoring of populations varying—some populations are increasing, some decreasing and some are unknown. Few quantitative data are available for marine habitats and pressures on populations at sea.
North and east in poor condition (greater understanding in east region)
Status and trends are largely unknown, but likely to vary between species and bioregions. Species have almost disappeared from Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea—the reasons for which are unknown.
East in very poor condition and declining
Population status for most species is unknown because of a lack of data, but is assumed to be good. Trends are unclear.
Populations generally stable, although some are declining in the east and south-east
Whales
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- To maintain consistency with the subsection header (species groups) and consistency across assessments only species groups were assessed in 2016. Where relevant single species accounts have been provided in greater detail in individual case studies.port
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Population status and trends for many species are unknown. Most are assumed to be in good condition but trends are unclear. Humpback whales and the western population of southern right whales are demonstrating clear increasing trends.
Baleen whales (not including humpbacks)
Condition and trends are poorly understood for some species, but recovery occurring generally
Humpback whales
Condition in the east and south-east remains very poor and stable
Toothed whales
Condition and trends are poorly understood
Fur seals and sea lions
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- To maintain consistency with the subsection header (species groups) and consistency across assessments only species groups were assessed in 2016. Where relevant single species accounts have been provided in greater detail in individual case studies.eport
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Fur seal populations are considered to be in good condition, although trends for Australian fur seals are unclear. Australian sea lion populations in South Australia are deteriorating, while trends for populations in Western Australia are unclear.
Fur seals
Assessed only in the south-west and east
Australian sea lions
Assessed in the south-west
Assessment Summary Key
Grades
Very good
Only a few, if any, species populations have declined as a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions
Good
Populations of a number of significant species (but no species groups) have declined significantly as a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions
Poor
Populations of many species or some species groups have declined significantly as a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions
Very poor
Populations of a large number of species or species groups have declined significantly as a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions
Recent Trends
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Improving
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Stable
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Deteriorating
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Unclear
Confidence
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Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
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Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus
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Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus
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Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus
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Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment
Comparability
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Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment
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Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment
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Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment
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Not previously assessed
Comments
Nil.