State and trends of species and taxa groups

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.

Sharks and rays

Whale sharks

Great white sharks

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Sharks and rays

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach varied by species, but was generally based on fisheries catch and effort data where they were available. Inferences of potential declines are often used for rarer species but are captured in the IUCN Red List categories justifications (see www.iucnredlist.org).

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=9a624d4f-cb85-4b74-9e7e-d38473f3e8b6.

Data/Information sources

Data were primarily collected from an expert panel of elasmobranch researchers and fisheries scientists during an IUCN Shark Specialist Group Red List workshop in February 2015 (report still in preparation) as part of a FRDC Shark Report Card project (www.sharkreportcard.org).

Dulvy et al., 2014

Dulvy NK, Fowler SL, Musick JA, Cavanagh RD, Kyne PM, Harrison LR, Carlson JK, Davidson LNK, Fordham SV, Francis MP, Pollock CM, Simpfendorfer CA, Burgess GH, Carpenter KE, Compagno LJV, Ebert DA, Gibson C, Heupel MR, Livingstone SR, Sanciangco JC, Stevens JD, Valenti S & White WT (2014). Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays. eLife, 3:e00590.

Heupel, 2015

Heupel MR (2015). Prioritisation of research and management needs for Australian elasmobranch species, National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, http://www.nespmarine.edu.au/project/project-a6-prioritisation-research-and-management-needs-australian-elasmobranch-species.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Sharks and rays

East, south-east and south-west in poor condition for some species (e.g. east coast population of grey nurse sharks)

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Whale sharks

South-west in very poor condition

Year(s):

2011

2

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Great white sharks

Condition continues to decline in the east

Year(s):

2011

2

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Tuna and billfish

Southern bluefin tuna

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not comparable

Tuna and Billfish

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

The methods used to determine state or recent trend vary between RFMOs, some of which use multiple methods. Details of the various methods used are in working papers provided to the scientific committees of relevant RFMOs and annual reports of the scientific committees and working papers of the RFMOs.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=3580e473-635c-4710-94e4-fd6dfb35b006.

Data/Information sources

Assessments are based on a variety of data relating to species population dynamics, spatial dynamics, fishery catches, survey and mark–recapture experiments covering the spatial area of each of the RFMOs and spanning varying periods. Details on the specific data products used in this assessment have not been provided.

CCSBT 2015a

CCSBT (Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna) (2015a). Report of the twentieth meeting of the Scientific Committee, Incheon, South Korea, 5 September 2016, CCSBT, Canberra.

Davies et al. 2014

Davies N, Harley S, Hampton J & McKechnie S (2014). Stock assessment of yellowfin tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee tenth regular session, 6-14 August 2014 Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

Davies et al. 2012

Davies, N., Hoyle, S. and Hampton, J.. 2012. Stock assessment of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee eighth regular session, 7-15 August 2012 Busan, Republic of Korea. Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

Davies et al. 2013

Davies N, Pilling G, Harley S & Hampton J (2013). Stock assessment of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the southwest Pacific Ocean, paper WCPFC-SC9-2013/SA-WP-05 presented to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee ninth regular session, 6–14 August 2013, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

Billfish Working Group 2013

Billfish Working Group (2013). Stock assessment of blue marlin in the Pacific Ocean in 2013, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee Ninth Regular Session, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, 6-14 August 2013.

Harley et al. 2014

Harley S, Davies N, Hampton J & McKechnie S (2014). Stock assessment of bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, paper WCPFC-SC10-2014/SA-WP-01, Western and Central Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee tenth regular session, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 6–14 August 2014.

Harley et al. 2015

Harley S, Davies N, Trembly-Bouer L, Hampton J & McKechnie S (2015). Stock assessment for South Pacific albacore tuna, Western and Central Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee Eleventh Regular Session, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, 5-13 August 2015.

IOTC 2013

IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) (2013). Report of the fifteenth session of the IOTC Working Party on Tropical Tunas. 23-28 October 2013 San Sebastian, Spain.

IOTC 2014a

IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) (2014). Report of the fifth session of the IOTC Working Party on Temperate Tunas. 28-31 July 2014 Busan, Republic of Korea.

IOTC 2014b

IOTC. 2014. Report of the sixteenth session of the IOTC Working Party on Tropical Tunas. 15-19 November 2014 Bali, Indonesia.

IOTC 2015a

IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) (2015). Report of the 17th session of the IOTC Working Party on Tropical Tunas. 23-28 October 2015 Montpellier, France.

IOTC 2015b

IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) (2015). Report of the 18th session of the IOTC Scientific Committee. 23-27 November 2015 Bali, Indonesia.

IOTC 2015c

IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) (2015). Report on the 13th session of the IOTC Working Party on Billfish. 10 September 2015 Olhao, Portugal.

Rice et al. 2014

Rice J, Lee J & Tandstad M (2015). Parallel initiatives: CBD’s ecologically or biologically significant areas (EBSAs) and FAO’s Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) criteria and processes. In: Garcia SM, Rice J & Charles A (eds), Governance of marine fisheries and biodiversity conservation: interaction and coevolution, John Wiley and Sons New York, 195–208.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Tuna and billfish

Condition very poor in the south-west and continuing to decline

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Southern bluefin tuna

Condition very poor and stable

Year(s):

2011

1

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Outer shelf (>50 m)—demersal and benthopelagic fish species

Inner shelf —demersal fish species

Although most populations are improving, there are persistent, substantial effects on some populations

Year(s):

2016

2

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Shelf (0–250 m)—demersal and benthopelagic fish species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

This assessment is based on fisheries assessments of commercial species. Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications provided in the reference list.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=6f1a1d2f-8511-4a61-af04-7d1fc950e8de.

Campbell et al. 2009

Campbell, A. B., OâNeill, M. F., Sumpton, W., Kirkwood, J. and Wesche, S. 2009. Stock assessment summary of the Queensland snapper fishery (Australia) and management strategies for improving sustainability, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

NSW DPI 2014

NSW DPI (2014). Status of fisheries resources in NSW 2011-2012: summary, NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Emery et al. 2015

Emery T, Bell J, Lyle J & Hartmann K (2015). Tasmanian scalefish fishery assessment 2013/14, IMAS Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hobart, https://secure.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/778556/Scalefish-Assessment_2013_2014-Web.pdf.

Fletcher & Santoro 2015

Fletcher WJ & Santoro K (eds) (2015). Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources of Western Australia 2014/15: the state of the fisheries, Western Australian Department of Fisheries, Perth.

Flood et al. 2014

Flood M, Stobutzki I, Andrews J, Ashby C, Begg G, Fletcher R, Gardner C, Georgeson L, Hansen S, Hartmann K, Hone P, Horvat P, Maloney L, McDonald B, Moore A, Roelofs A, Sainsbury K, Saunders T, Smith T, Stewardson C, Stewart J & Wise B (eds) (2014). Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2014, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Fowler et al. 2013

Fowler AJ, McGarvey R, Burch P, Feenstra JE, Jackson W & Lloyd M (2013). Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) fishery: fishery assessment report to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, SARDI research report series no. 713.

Hobday & Pecl 2013

Hobday AJ & Pecl GT (2013). Identification of global marine hotspots: sentinels for change and vanguards for adaptation. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 415-425.

Patterson et al. 2015a

Patterson H, Georgeson L, Stobutzki I & Curtotti R (eds) (2015a). Fishery status reports 2015, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.

Pitcher et al. 2015

Pitcher CR, Ellis N, Althaus F, Williams A & McLeod I (2015). Predicting benthic impacts and recovery to support biodiversity management in the South?east Marine Region. In: Bax NJ & Hedge P (eds), Marine Biodiversity Hub, National Environmental Research Program, final report 2011–2015, report to the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Canberra, 24–25.

Ridgway 2007

Ridgway KR (2007). Long-term trend and decadal variability of the southward penetration of the East Australian Current.Geophysical Research Letters 34:L13613, doi:10.1029/2007GL030393.

Saunders et al. 2014

Saunders T, Newman S, Keag M & Errity C (2014). Golden snapper Lutjanus johnii. In: Flood M, Stobutzki I, Andrews J, Ashby C, Begg G, Fletcher R, Gardner C, Georgeson L, Hansen S, Hartmann K, Hone P, Horvat P, Maloney L, McDonald B, Moore A, Roelofs A, Sainsbury K, Saunders T, Smith T, Stewardson C, Stewart J & Wise B (eds.) Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2014. Canberra: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

Smith et al. 2008

Smith ADM, Smith DC, Tuck GN, Klaer N, Punt AE, Knuckey I, Prince J, Morison A, Kloser R, Haddon M, Wayte S, Day J, Fay G, Pribac F, Fuller M, Taylor B & Little LR (2008). Experience in implementing harvest strategies in Australia's south-eastern fisheries. Fisheries Research, 373-379.

Smith et al. 2014

Smith ADM, Smith DC, Haddon M, Knuckey I, Sainsbury K & Sloan SR (2014). Implementing harvest strategies in Australia: 5 years on. ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil 71(2):195–203.

Tuck et al. 2013

Tuck GN, Knuckey I & Klaer NL (2013). Informing the review of the Commonwealth Policy on fisheries bycatch through assessing trends in bycatch of key Commonwealth fisheries, FRDC project 2012/046, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart.

Tuck 2015

Tuck GN (2015). Stock assessment for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery 2014, Part 2., Hobart, Australian Fisheries Management Authority and CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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

Year(s):

2011

2

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Inner shelf —demersal fish species

South-east in good condition and improving

Year(s):

2011

2

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Slope—demersal fish species

The South-east Marine Region is in poorer condition than the other regions

Year(s):

2016

3

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Slope (> 250 m)—demersal and benthopelagic fish species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Output from assessments published in relevant reports and publications.

This assessment is based on fisheries assessments of commercial species in the south-east region. Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications provided in the reference list.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=3e0a2053-a919-4dba-8089-147c14d8ed70.

Smith et al. 2008

Smith ADM, Smith DC, Tuck GN, Klaer N, Punt AE, Knuckey I, Prince J, Morison A, Kloser R, Haddon M, Wayte S, Day J, Fay G, Pribac F, Fuller M, Taylor B & Little LR (2008). Experience in implementing harvest strategies in Australia's south-eastern fisheries. Fisheries Research, 373-379.

Smith et al. 2014

Smith ADM, Smith DC, Haddon M, Knuckey I, Sainsbury K & Sloan SR (2014). Implementing harvest strategies in Australia: 5 years on. ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil 71(2):195–203.

Woodhams et al. 2011

Woodhams J, Stobutzki I, Vieira S & Curtotti BG (2011). Fishery status reports 2010: status of fish stocks and fisheries managed by the Australian Government, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource EcoAustralian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciencesnomics and Sciences, Canberra.

Patterson et al. 2015

Patterson H, Georgeson L, Stobutzki I & Curtotti R (eds) (2015a). Fishery status reports 2015, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra.

Upston et al. 2014

Upston J, Punt AE, Wayte S, Ryan T, Day J & Sporcic M (2014). Orange roughy ( Hoplostethus atlanticus ) eastern zone stock assessment incorporating data up to 2014., CSIRO, Hobart.

Kloser et al. 2015

Kloser RJ, Sutton C, Krusic-Golub K & Ryan TE (2015). Indicators of recovery for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) in eastern Australian waters fished from 1987. Fisheries Research, 225-235.

Ridgway 2007

Ridgway KR (2007). Long-term trend and decadal variability of the southward penetration of the East Australian Current.Geophysical Research Letters 34:L13613, doi:10.1029/2007GL030393.

AFMA 2012

AFMA (Australian Fisheries Management Authority) (2012). Upper-slope dogfish management strategy: AFMA-managed fisheries, AFMA, Canberra.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Only south-east was assessed

Year(s):

2011

2

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Small pelagics—inner shelf

Assessments are restricted to the Temperate East, South-east and South-west marine regions. Fishing pressure has lessened and biomass information is improving.

Year(s):

2016

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Epipelagic fish species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

The assessment is based on data and analyses published in the peer review literature, stock assessment reports and minutes of the meetings of the Small Pelagic Fishery Scientific Panel.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=fee8d1c8-4835-40cc-95bd-6b8d75f2ae72

Data/Information sources

Details of specific datasets used to generate the assessment have not been provided.

Anon. 2008

Anon (2008). South Coast purse seine managed fishery: manual for setting protocol, wildlife interactions and species identification, Available: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/95c2af5b-5689-4abd-9f70-dffdc9e15e27/files/purse-seine-appendix4a.pdf.

DoE 2015

DoE (2015). Assessment of the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery, October 2015, Canberra, Department of the Environment.

Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity, 2014

Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity (2014). Report of the Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity: Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012, Canberra, Department of the Environment.

Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity, 2015

Expert Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity (2015). Report of the Expert Panel on a Declared Fishing Activity: Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration (no. 2) 2013, Canberra, Department of the Environment.

Molony et al. 2013

Molony B, Lai E, Stadler M, Holtz M & Jones R (2013). Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources of Western Australia 2012/13: the state of the fisheries. Perth: Western Australian Department of Fisheries.

Fletcher & Santoro 2015

Fletcher WJ & Santoro K (eds) (2015). Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources of Western Australia 2014/15: the state of the fisheries, Western Australian Department of Fisheries, Perth.

Flood et al. 2014

Flood M, Stobutzki I, Andrews J, Ashby C, Begg G, Fletcher R, Gardner C, Georgeson L, Hansen S, Hartmann K, Hone P, Horvat P, Maloney L, McDonald B, Moore A, Roelofs A, Sainsbury K, Saunders T, Smith T, Stewardson C, Stewart J & Wise B (eds) (2014). Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2014, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Gaughan et al. 2008

Gaughan D, Craine M, Stephenson P, Leary T & Lewis P (2008) Regrowth of pilchard (Sardinops sagax) stocks off southern WA following the mass mortality event of 1989/99: final report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, project 2000/135.

Giannini et al. 2010

Giannini F, Hobsbawn PI, Begg GA & Chambers M (2010) Management strategy evaluation (MSE) of the harvest strategy for the Small Pelagic Fishery, Bureau of Rural Sciences & FRDC, Canberra, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation project 2008/064.

Hobday et al. 2009

Hobday, A. J., Griffiths, S. and Ward, T. 2009. Pelagic fishes and sharks. A marine climate change impacts and adaptation report card for Australia 2009. NCCARF.

Johnson et al. 2010

Johnson, P., Bulman, C., Fulton, B. and Smith, T. 2010. MSC Low Trophic Level Project: South eastern Australian case study. Marine Stewardship Council Science Series, 111-170.

Lyle et al. 2014

Lyle J, Bell J, Moore A & Stewart J (2014). Common jack mackerel Trachurus declivis. In: Flood M, Stobutzki I, Andrews J, Ashby C, Begg G, Fletcher R, Gardner C, Georgeson L, Hansen S, Hartmann K, Hone P, Horvat P, Maloney L, McDonald B, Moore A, Roelofs A, Sainsbury K, Saunders T, Smith T, Stewardson C, Stewart J 7 Wise B (eds.) Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2014. Canberra: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

Molony et al. 2013

Molony B, Lai E, Stadler M, Holtz M & Jones R (2013). Status reports of the fisheries and aquatic resources of Western Australia 2012/13: the state of the fisheries. Perth: Western Australian Department of Fisheries.

Moore & Mazur 2015

Moore A & Mazur K (2015). Small Pelagic Fishery. In: Patterson H, Georgeson L, Stobutzki I & Curtotti R (eds), Fishery status reports 2015, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Canberra, 90–110.

Neira & Lyle 2011

Neira FJ & Lyle JM (2011). DEPM-based spawning biomass of Emmelichthys nitidus (Emmelichthyidae) to underpin a developing mid-water trawl fishery in south-eastern Australia. Fisheries Research, 110:236-243.

Neira et al. 2008

Neira FJ, Lyle JM, Ewing GP, Keane JP & Tracey SR (2008). Evaluation of egg production as a method of estimating spawning biomass of redbait off the east coast of Tasmania, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Hobart, Final report for FRDC project no. 2004/039.

Small Pelagic Fishery Scientific Panel 2015

Small Pelagic Fishery Scientific Panel (2015). Minutes, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Meeting no. 1, Canberra.

Smith et al. 2011

Smith ADM, Brown CJ, Bulman CM, Fulton EA, Johnson P, Kaplan IC, Lozano-Montes H, Mackinson S, Marzloff M, Shannon LJ, Shin Y-J & Tam J (2011). Impacts of fishing low-trophic level species on marine ecosystems. Science 333:1147–1150.

Smith et al. 2015

Smith ADM, Ward TM, Hurtado F, Klaer N, Fulton E & Punt AE (2015). Review and update of harvest strategy settings for the Commonwealth Small Pelagic Fishery: single species and ecosystem considerations, final report 2013/028 to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, CSIRO, Hobart.

Ward et al. 2014

Ward T, Molony B, Stewart J, Andrews J & Moore A (2014). Australian sardine Sardinops sagax. In: Flood M, Stobutzki I, Andrews J, Ashby C, Begg G, Fletcher R, Gardner C, Georgeson L, Hansen S, Hartmann K, Hone P, Horvat P, Maloney L, McDonald B, Moore A, Roelofs A, Sainsbury K, Saunders T, Smith T, Stewardson C, Stewart J & Wise B (eds.) Status of key Australian fish stocks reports 2014. Canberra: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

Ward et al. 2013

Ward TM, Ivey A & Burch S (2013). Effectiveness of an industry code of practice in mitigating operational interactions of the South Australian sardine fishery with common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, SARDI research report series 743.

Ward et al. 2015a

Ward TM, Burnell O, Ivey A, Carroll J, Keane J, Lyle J & Sexton S (2015) Summer spawning patterns and preliminary daily egg production survey of jack mackerel and Australian sardine off the east coast, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, Final report to FRDC project no. 2013/053.

Ward et al. 2015b

Ward TM, Whitten AR & Ivey AR (2015b). South Australian Sardine (Sardinops sagax) Fishery: Stock Assessment Report 2015, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide, SARDI research report series 877.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

South-east and south-west were assessed, with condition improving in the south-west

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Mesopelagic fish species

Data from only the South-east Marine Region were assessed.

Year(s):

2016

4

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Mesopelagic fish species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Comparison of biomass concentrations calculated from the repeated transect line.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=d813ef52-9eb2-4e19-8337-869125c9bb7e.

Data/Information sources

Data from the IMOS bioacoustics subfacility; data from surveys along a transect line in the Tasman Sea repeated over the perios from 2004 to 2013.

Flynn & Pogonoski 2012

Flynn A & Pogonoski J (2012). Guide to mesopelagic fishes of the Southern Tasman Sea, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart.

Flynn & Kloser 2012

Flynn AJ & Kloser RJ (2012). Cross-basin heterogeneity in lanternfish (family Myctophidae) assemblages and isotopic niches (delta C-13 and delta N-15) in the southern Tasman Sea abyssal basin. Deep-Sea Research Part I-Oceanographic Research Papers, 113-127.

Fulton et al. 2005

Fulton, E., Smith, A. and Punt, A. 2005. Which ecological indicators can robustly detect effects of fishing?. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 540-551.

Hobday & Pecl 2013

Hobday AJ & Pecl GT (2013). Identification of global marine hotspots: sentinels for change and vanguards for adaptation. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 415-425.

Irigoien et al. 2014

Irigoien X, Klevjer TA, Rostad A, Martinez U, Boyra G, Acuna JL, Bode A, Echevarria F, Gonzalez-Gordillo JI, Hernandez-Leon S, Agusti S, Aksnes DL, Duarte CM & Kaartvedt S (2014). Large mesopelagic fishes biomass and trophic efficiency in the open ocean 2014. Large mesopelagic fishes biomass and trophic efficiency in the open ocean. Nature Communications.

Kloser et al. 2009

Kloser RJ, Ryan TE, Young JW & Lewis ME (2009). Acoustic observations of micronekton fish on the scale of an ocean basin: potential and challenges. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 998-1006.

Lehodey et al. 2010

Lehodey P, Murtugudde R & Senina I (2010). Bridging the gap from ocean models to population dynamics of large marine predators: a model of mid-trophic functional groups. Progress in Oceanography, 69-84.

Ridgway et al. 2008

Ridgway KR, Coleman RC, Bailey RJ & Sutton P (2008). Decadal variability of East Australian Current transport inferred from repeated high-density XBT transects, a CTD survey and satellite altimetry. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 18.

Smith et al. 2011

Smith ADM, Brown CJ, Bulman CM, Fulton EA, Johnson P, Kaplan IC, Lozano-Montes H, Mackinson S, Marzloff M, Shannon LJ, Shin Y-J & Tam J (2011). Impacts of fishing low-trophic level species on marine ecosystems. Science 333:1147–1150.

Young et al. 2011

Young J, Hobday A, Campbell R, Kloser R, Bonham P, Clementson L & Lansdell M (2011). The biological oceanography of the East Australian Current and surrounding waters in relation to tuna and billfish catches off eastern Australia. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 720-733.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Only east and south-east were assessed

Year(s):

2011

4

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Inner-shelf reef fish species

Trend data are lacking for the North and North-west marine regions. Other regions have experienced continued worsening.

Year(s):

2016

2

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Inner shelf (0–25 m)—reef fish species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Methods used to determine state or recent trend are outlined in the case study on the national assessment of reefs. The analysis is based on species recorded at each site in 3 years or more over the past 10 years atmonitoring locations. The abundance of each species was standardised by its maximum abundance at that particular site. The mean trend then represents the mean standardised abundance of each species across all sites surveyed in a given year.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=0889bfb0-cec7-4cde-be1e-788ce66af2a4.

Data/Information sources

Reef Life Survey visual census data with extensive spatial coverage of sites around the continent were used for the current status assessment. Temporal trend information came from a combination of RLS, LTTRMP and AIMS long-term GBR monitoring datasets at 16 particular locations (MPA locations include the broader region and sites inside and outside sanctuary zones):

NSW: Batemans Marine Park, Jervis Bay Marine Park, Sydney, Lord Howe Island, Port Stephens
Vic: Beware Reef, Port Phillip Heads
SA: Encounter Bay (Fleurieu Peninsula)
WA: Rottnest Island, Jurien Marine Park, Ningaloo Marine Park
Qld: Capricorn-Bunker, Southern GBR, Central GBR, Northern GBR
Tas: Maria Island

Edgar and Stuart-Smith, 2009

Edgar GJ & Stuart-Smith RD (2009). Ecological effects of marine protected areas on rocky reef communities: a continental-scale analysis. Ecological effects of marine protected areas on rocky reef communities: a continental-scale analysis, 51-62.

Edgar and Stuart-Smith, 2014

Edgar GJ & Stuart-Smith RD (2014). Systematic global assessment of reef fish communities by the Reef Life Survey program. Scientific data, 1, 140007.

Edgar et al., 2014

Edgar GJ, Stuart-Smith RD, Willis TJ, Kininmonth S, Baker SC, Banks S, Barrett NS, Becerro MA, Bernard ATF, Berkhout J, Buxton CD, Campbell SJ, Cooper AT, Davey M, Edgar SC, Försterra G, Galván DE, Irigoyen AJ, Kushner DJ, Moura R, Parnell PE, Shears NT, Soler G, Strain EMA & Thomson RJ (2014). Global conservation outcomes depend on marine protected areas with five key features. Nature 506:216–220.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

South-west, east and south-east were assessed, and are all in poor condition

Year(s):

2011

2

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Inner shelf—invertebrate species

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Inner shelf (0–25 m)—invertebrate species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=fe4ce23b-55dc-4838-8dbe-ce485c8f5d52.

Data/Information sources

Data came from peer-reviewed publications, fishery stock assessment reports and the IMOS autonomous underwater vehicle facility. Details of the specific datasets used to generate the assessment have not been provided.

Caputi et al. 2016

Caputi N, Kangas M, Hetzel Y, Denham A, Pearce A & Chandrapavan A (2016). Management adaptation of invertebrate fisheries to an extreme marine heat wave event at a global warming hotspot. Ecology and Evolution.

Caputi et al. 2015

Caputi N, de Lestang S, Reid C, Hesp A & How J (2015). Maximum economic yield of the western rock lobster fishery of Western Australia after moving from effort to quota control. Marine Policy, 452-464.

de Lestang et al. 2014

de Lestang S, Caputi N, Feng M, Denham A, Penn J, Slawinski D, Pearce A & How J (2014). What caused seven consecutive years of low puerulus settlement in the western rock lobster fishery of Western Australia?. ICES Journal of Marine Science.

Linnane et al. 2015b

Linnane A, McGarvey R, McLeay L, Feenstra J & Reilly D (2015b). Victorian rock lobster and giant crab fisheries status report—2013/2014 fishing year, fishery status report to Fisheries Victoria, SARDI publication F2012/000434-4, SARDI Research Report Series, no. 863, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.

Pears et al. 2012

Pears RJ, Morison A, Jebreen EJ, Dunning M, Pitcher CR, Houlden B, Courtney AJ & Jacobsen IP (2012). Ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, technical report, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.

Pitcher 2013

Pitcher CR (2013). Environmental sustainability assessment update for habitats, assemblages and bycatch species in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, scientific technical report, CSIRO, Australia.

Pitcher et al. 2007a

Pitcher CR, Doherty P, Arnold P, Hooper J, Gribble N, Bartlett C, Browne M, Campbell N, Cannard T, Cappo M, Carini G, Chalmers S, Cheers S, Chetwynd D, Colefax A, Coles R, Cook S, Davie P, De’ath G, Devereux D, Done B, Donovan T, Ehrke B, Ellis N, Ericson G, Fellegara I, Forcey K, Furey M, Gledhill D, Good N, Gordon S, Haywood M, Hendriks P, Jacobsen I, Johnson J, Jones M, Kinninmoth S, Kistle S, Last P, Leite A, Marks S, McLeod I, Oczkowicz S, Robinson M, Rose C, Seabright D, Sheils J, Sherlock M, Skelton P, Smith D, Smith G, Speare P, Stowar M, Strickland C, Van der Geest C, Venables W, Walsh C, Wassenberg T, Welna A & Yearsley G (2007a). Seabed biodiversity on the continental shelf of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, AIMS, CSIRO, QM and QDPI CRC Reef research task final report, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland.

Pitcher et al. 2016a

Pitcher CR, Ellis N, Venables W, Wassenberg TJ, Burridge CY, Smith GP, Browne M, Pantus FJ, Poiner IR, Doherty PJ, Hooper JNA & Gribble N (2016a). Effects of trawling on sessile megabenthos in the Great Barrier Reef, and evaluation of the efficacy of management strategies. In: Effects of fishing on benthic fauna, habitat and ecosystem function. ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil (Suppl. 1) 73:i115–i126.

Pitcher et al. 2007b

Pitcher CR, Haywood M, Hooper J, Coles R, Bartlett C, Browne M, Cannard T, Carini G, Carter A, Cheers S, Chetwynd D, Colefax A, Cook S, Davie P, Ellis N, Fellegara I, Forcey K, Furey M, Gledhill D, Hendriks P, Jacobsen I, Johnson J, Jones M, Last P, Marks S, McLeod I, Sheils J, Sheppard J, Smith G, Strickland C, Van der Geest C, Venables W, Wassenberg T & Yearsley G (2007b). Mapping and characterisation of key biotic and physical attributes of the Torres Strait ecosystem, CSIRO, QM and QDPI CRC Torres Strait task final report, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland.

Ward et al. 2006

Ward TM, Sorokin SJ, Currie DR, Rogers PJ & McLeay LJ (2006). Epifaunal assemblages of the eastern Great Australian Bight: Effectiveness of a benthic protection zone in representing regional biodiversity. Continental Shelf Research, 25-40.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

East and south-east in poor condition

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Outer shelf and inner slope—invertebrate species

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Outer shelf (25–250 m)—invertebrate species

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Output from surveys published in relevant reports and publications.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=fe4ce23b-55dc-4838-8dbe-ce485c8f5d52.

Data/Information sources

Data came from peer-reviewed publications, fishery stock assessment reports and the IMOS autonomous underwater vehicle facility. Details of the specific datasets used to generate the assessment have not been provided.

Caputi et al. 2016

Caputi N, Kangas M, Hetzel Y, Denham A, Pearce A & Chandrapavan A (2016). Management adaptation of invertebrate fisheries to an extreme marine heat wave event at a global warming hotspot. Ecology and Evolution.

Caputi et al. 2015

Caputi N, de Lestang S, Reid C, Hesp A & How J (2015). Maximum economic yield of the western rock lobster fishery of Western Australia after moving from effort to quota control. Marine Policy, 452-464.

de Lestang et al. 2014

de Lestang S, Caputi N, Feng M, Denham A, Penn J, Slawinski D, Pearce A & How J (2014). What caused seven consecutive years of low puerulus settlement in the western rock lobster fishery of Western Australia?. ICES Journal of Marine Science.

Linnane et al. 2015b

Linnane A, McGarvey R, McLeay L, Feenstra J & Reilly D (2015b). Victorian rock lobster and giant crab fisheries status report—2013/2014 fishing year, fishery status report to Fisheries Victoria, SARDI publication F2012/000434-4, SARDI Research Report Series, no. 863, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.

Pears et al. 2012

Pears RJ, Morison A, Jebreen EJ, Dunning M, Pitcher CR, Houlden B, Courtney AJ & Jacobsen IP (2012). Ecological risk assessment of the East Coast Otter Trawl Fishery in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, technical report, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.

Pitcher 2013

Pitcher CR (2013). Environmental sustainability assessment update for habitats, assemblages and bycatch species in the Torres Strait Prawn Fishery, scientific technical report, CSIRO, Australia.

Pitcher et al. 2007a

Pitcher CR, Doherty P, Arnold P, Hooper J, Gribble N, Bartlett C, Browne M, Campbell N, Cannard T, Cappo M, Carini G, Chalmers S, Cheers S, Chetwynd D, Colefax A, Coles R, Cook S, Davie P, De’ath G, Devereux D, Done B, Donovan T, Ehrke B, Ellis N, Ericson G, Fellegara I, Forcey K, Furey M, Gledhill D, Good N, Gordon S, Haywood M, Hendriks P, Jacobsen I, Johnson J, Jones M, Kinninmoth S, Kistle S, Last P, Leite A, Marks S, McLeod I, Oczkowicz S, Robinson M, Rose C, Seabright D, Sheils J, Sherlock M, Skelton P, Smith D, Smith G, Speare P, Stowar M, Strickland C, Van der Geest C, Venables W, Walsh C, Wassenberg T, Welna A & Yearsley G (2007a). Seabed biodiversity on the continental shelf of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, AIMS, CSIRO, QM and QDPI CRC Reef research task final report, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Cleveland, Queensland.

Pitcher et al. 2016a

Pitcher CR, Ellis N, Venables W, Wassenberg TJ, Burridge CY, Smith GP, Browne M, Pantus FJ, Poiner IR, Doherty PJ, Hooper JNA & Gribble N (2016a). Effects of trawling on sessile megabenthos in the Great Barrier Reef, and evaluation of the efficacy of management strategies. In: Effects of fishing on benthic fauna, habitat and ecosystem function. ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil (Suppl. 1) 73:i115–i126.

Pitcher et al. 2007

Pitcher CR, Haywood M, Hooper J, Coles R, Bartlett C, Browne M, Cannard T, Carini G, Carter A, Cheers S, Chetwynd D, Colefax A, Cook S, Davie P, Ellis N, Fellegara I, Forcey K, Furey M, Gledhill D, Hendriks P, Jacobsen I, Johnson J, Jones M, Last P, Marks S, McLeod I, Sheils J, Sheppard J, Smith G, Strickland C, Van der Geest C, Venables W, Wassenberg T & Yearsley G (2007). Mapping and Characterisation of Key Biotic & Physical Attributes of the Torres Strait Ecosystem, CRC Torres Strait.

Ward et al. 2006

Ward TM, Sorokin SJ, Currie DR, Rogers PJ & McLeay LJ (2006). Epifaunal assemblages of the eastern Great Australian Bight: Effectiveness of a benthic protection zone in representing regional biodiversity. Continental Shelf Research, 25-40.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

South-east in poor condition

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Seabirds—migratory

Seabirds—resident

Population status and trends for species are mixed, with some increasing, some decreasing, some stable and some unknown

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Seabirds

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert assessment of peer-reviewed literature and agency reports.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=6832b956-2705-42a0-a6c0-23471514e9f3.

Data/Information sources

The assessment was based on data and analyses published in the peer-reviewed literature and agency reports. Details on the specific data products used in the assessment have not been provided.

Alderman et al. 2011

Alderman R, Gales R, Tuck GN & Lebreton JD (2011). Global population status of shy albatross and an assessment of colony-specific trends and drivers. Wildlife Research 38(8):672–686.

Cannell et al. 2012

Cannell BL, Chambers LE, Wooller RD & Bradley JS (2012). Poorer breeding by little penguins near Perth, Western Australia is correlated with above average sea surface temperatures and a stronger Leeuwin Current. Marine and Freshwater Research, 914-925.

Carlile & Priddel 2015

Carlile N & Priddel D (2015). Establishment and growth of the white tern Gygis alba population on Lord Howe Island, Australia. Marine Ornithology, 113-118.

Chambers et al. 2011

Chambers LE, Devney CA, Congdon BC, Dunlop N, Woehler EJ & Dann P (2011). Observed and predicted effects of climate on Australian seabirds. Emu, 111:235-251.

Chambers et al. 2014

Chambers LE, Dann P, Cannell B & Woehler EJ (2014). Climate as a driver of phenological change in southern seabirds. International Journal of Biometeorology, 58:603-612.

Chambers et al. 2015

Chambers LE, Patterson T, Hobday AJ, Arnould JP, Tuck GN, Wilcox C & Dann P (2015). Determining trends and environmental drivers from long-term marine mammal and seabird data: examples from Southern Australia. Regional Environmental Change, 15:197-209.

Cleeland et al. 2014

Cleeland JB, Lea M & Hindell MA (2014). Use of the Southern Ocean by breeding short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 109-117.

Clarke et al. 2011

Clarke RH, Carter M, Swann G & Thomson J (2011). The status of breeding seabirds and herons at Ashmore Reef, off the Kimberley coast, Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 94:171–182.

Croxall et al. 2012

Croxall JP, Butchart SHM, Lascelles B, Stattersfield AJ, Sullivan B, Symes A & Taylor P (2012). Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL, 22:1-34.

DoE 2014

DoE (Australian Government Department of the Environment) (2014). Threat abatement plan 2014 for the incidental catch (or bycatch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishing operations, DoE, Canberra.

DoE 2015b

DoE (Australian Government Department of the Environment) (2015b). Threat abatement plan for the impacts of marine debris on vertebrate marine life: review 2009–2014, DoE, Canberra.

Dann & Chambers 2013

Dann P & Chambers L (2013). Ecological effects of climate change on little penguins Eudyptula minor and the potential economic impact on tourism. Climate Research, 67-79.

Dunlop 2009

Dunlop JN (2009). The population dynamics of tropical seabirds establishing frontier colonies on islands off south-western Australia. Marine Ornithology, 99-105.

Garnett et al. 2013

Garnett S, Franklin D, Ehmke G, VanDerWal J, Hodgson L, Pavey C, Reside A, Welbergen J, Butchart S, Perkins G & Williams S (2013). Climate change adaptation strategies for Australian birds, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.

Hemson 2015

Hemson G (2015) Report on the survey of breeding populations of wedge-tailed shearwaters and black noddies in the Capricornia Cays National Park, 2014-2015 breeding season, Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, Brisbane.

Misso & MacRae 2014

Misso M & MacRae I (2014). The conservation management of Pulu Keeling National Park: challenges and perspectives. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 62:24-28.

Pyk et al. 2013

Pyk TM, Weston MA, Bunce A & Norman FI (2013). Establishment and development of a seabird colony: long-term trends in phenology, breeding success, recruitment, breeding density and demography. Journal of Ornithology 154:299–310.

Reid et al. 2013

Reid T, Hindell M, Lavers JL & Wilcox C (2013). Re-examining mortality sources and population trends in a declining seabird: using Bayesian methods to incorporate existing information and new data. PloS One, 8, e58230.

Reid et al. 2013

Reid TA, Tuck GN, Hindell MA, Thalmann S, Phillips RA & Wilcox C (2013). Nonbreeding distribution of flesh-footed shearwaters and the potential for overlap with north Pacific fisheries. Biological Conservation, 3-10.

Sommerfeld et al. 2015

Sommerfeld J, Kato A, Ropert-Coudert Y, Garthe S, Wilcox C & Hindell MA (2015). Flexible foraging behaviour in a marine predator, the masked booby (Sula dactylatra), according to foraging locations and environmental conditions. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 463:79–86.

Sutherland & Dann 2014

Sutherland DR & Dann P (2014). Population trends in a substantial colony of little penguins: three independent measures over three decades. Biodiversity and Conservation, 23:241-250.

Thalmann et al. 2009

Thalmann, S. J., Baker, G., Hindell, M. A. and Tuck, G. N. 2009. Longline fisheries and foraging distribution of flesh-footed shearwaters in eastern Australia. Journal of Wildlife Management, 73, 399-406.

Tirtaningtyas & Hennicke 2015

Tirtaningtyas FN & Hennicke JC (2015). Threats to the critically endangered Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia, and implications for reconsidering conservation priorities. Marine Ornithology 43:137–140.

Woehler et al. 2014

Woehler E, Patterson TA, Bravington MV, Hobday AJ & Chambers LE (2014). Climate and competition in abundance trends in native and invasive Tasmanian gulls. Marine Ecology Progress Series 511:249–263.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Seabirds—migratory

South-west in very poor condition

Year(s):

2011

2

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Seabirds—resident

South-east in poor condition

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Turtles

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Turtles

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=2c56e419-eea8-47ec-9ed4-b267936dc237.

Data/Information sources

Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications in the reference list and based on state government agency and independent surveys.

Alfaro‐Shigueto et al. 2011

Alfaro-Shigueto J, Mangel JC, Bernedo F, Dutton PH, Seminoff JA & Godley BJ (2011). Small-scale fisheries of Peru: a major sink for marine turtles in the Pacific. Journal of Applied Ecology, 48:1432-1440.

Bell et al. 2012

Bell I, Schwarzkopf L & Manicom C (2012). High survivorship of an annually decreasing aggregation of hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, found foraging in the northern Great Barrier Reef. Aquatic Conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems, 22: 673-682.

Chaloupka & Limpus 2001

Chaloupka M & Limpus C (2001). Trends in the abundance of sea turtles resident in southern Great Barrier Reef waters. Biological Conservation, 102:235-249.

FitzSimmons & Limpus 2014

FitzSimmons NN & Limpus CJ (2014). Marine turtle genetic stocks of the Indo-Pacific: identifying boundaries and knowledge gaps. Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter, 2-18.

Limpus 2009

Limpus CJ (2009). A biological review of Australian marine turtles: green turtles, Queensland Environmental Protection Agency.

Limpus & Casale 2015

Limpus CJ & Casale P (2015). IUCN red list assessment for the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta: South Pacific subpopulation, IUCN Red List.

Riskas et al. 2016

Riskas KA, Fuentes MM & Hamann M (2016). Justifying the need for collaborative management of fisheries bycatch: a lesson from marine turtles in Australia. Biological Conservation, 40-47.

Schuyler et al. 2013

Schuyler Q, Hardesty BD, Wilcox C & Townsend K (2013). A global analysis of anthropogenic debris ingestion by sea turtles.Conservation Biology 28:129–139.

Vegter et al. 2014

Vegter AC, Barletta M, Beck C, Borrero J, Burton H, Campbell ML, Costa MF, Eriksen M, Eriksson C, Estrades A, Gilardi KVK, Hardesty BD, do Sul JAI, Lavers JL, Lazar B, Lebreton L, Nichols WJ, Ribic CA, Ryan PG, Schuyler QA, Smith SDA, Takada H, Townsend KA, Wabnitz CCC, Wilcox C, Young LC & Hamann M (2014). Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife. Endangered Species Research 25:225–247.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

North and east in poor condition (greater understanding in east region)

Year(s):

2011

2

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Sea Snakes

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Sea Snakes

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach varied by species but was generally based on survey results or fisheries catch and effort data where they were available. Inferences of status were based on the IUCN Red List categories justifications (see www.iucnredlist.org).

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=f759b89a-acb9-4fb1-83f5-e36b865eb755.

Data/Information sources

Data were primarily collected from an expert panel of sea snake researchers and marine resource managers during an IUCN Sea Snake Specialist Group Red List workshop in February 2009.

Updated status reports on sea snake populations from coastal Western Australia and offshore Timor Sea reefs were obtained from reports and publications by Michael Guinea, Vimoksalehi Lukoschek, Blanche D’Anastasi and Kate Sanders

Dulvy et al. 2014

Dulvy NK, Fowler SL, Musick JA, Cavanagh RD, Kyne PM, Harrison LR, Carlson JK, Davidson LNK, Fordham SV, Francis MP, Pollock CM, Simpfendorfer CA, Burgess GH, Carpenter KE, Compagno LJV, Ebert DA, Gibson C, Heupel MR, Livingstone SR, Sanciangco JC, Stevens JD, Valenti S & White WT (2014). Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays. eLife, 3:e00590.

Heupel 2015

Heupel MR (2015). Prioritisation of research and management needs for Australian elasmobranch species, National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, http://www.nespmarine.edu.au/project/project-a6-prioritisation-research-and-management-needs-australian-elasmobranch-species.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

East in very poor condition and declining

Year(s):

2011

4

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Dolphins and porpoises

Population status for most species is unknown because of a lack of data, but is assumed to be good. Trends are unclear.

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Dolphins and porpoises

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

This assessment is based on peer-reviewed papers and reports provided by researchers working on dolphins and porpoises in Australia.

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=17e008ad-bc02-451a-a025-9f1847a36996.

Data/Information sources

Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications in the reference list. Specific data products used to generate the assessment are not listed.

Ansmann et al. 2013

Ansmann IC, Lanyon JM, Seddon JM & Parra GJ (2013). Monitoring dolphins in an urban marine system: total and effective population size estimates of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay, Australia. Plos One, 8, e65239.

Bejder et al. 2012

Bejder L, Hodgson AJ, Loneragan NR & Allen SJ (2012). Coastal dolphins in north-western Australia: the need for re-evaluation of species listings and short-comings in the environmental impact assessment process. Pacific Conservation Biology, 18(1):22-25.

Brooks & Pollock 2015

Brooks L & Pollock K (2015). Abundance, apparent survival, movements and habitat use of humpback, bottlenose and snubfin dolphins in the Darwin area, Darwin Dolphin Monitoring Program.

Brown et al. 2016

Brown AM, Bejder L, Pollock KH & Allen SJ (2016). Site-specific assessments of the abundance of three inshore dolphin species to inform conservation and management. Frontiers in Marine Science 3:article 4, doi: 10.3389/fmars.2016.00004.

Cagnazzi et al. 2013

Cagnazzi D, Parra GJ, Westley S & Harrison PL (2013). At the heart of the industrial boom: Australian Snubfin Dolphins in the Capricorn Coast, Queensland, need urgent conservation action. PloS ONE, 8(2): e56729.

Cagnazzi et al. 2011

Cagnazzi DDB, Harrison PL, Ross GJB & Lynch P (2011). Abundance and site fidelity of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Great Sandy Strait, Queensland, Australia. Marine Mammal Science, 27(2):255-281.

Filby et al. 2010

Filby NE, Bossley M, Sanderson K, Martinez E & Stockin K (2010). Distribution and population demographics of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Gulf St Vincent, South Australia. Aquatic Mammals, 36:33-45.

Möller et al. 2012

Möller L, Parra GJ & Bilgmann K (2012). Population size, structure and habitat preferences of common dolphins in South Australia: enhancing the assessment, reduction and mitigation of fisheries operational interactions, Flinders University, Adelaide, Final report to the Australian Marine Mammal Centre.

Nicholson et al. 2012

Nicholson K, Bejder L, Allen SJ, Krützen M & Pollock KH (2012). Abundance, survival and temporary emigration of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) off Useless Loop in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 1059-1068.

Palmer et al. 2014

Palmer C, Brooks L, Parra GJ, Rogers T, Glasgow D & Woinarski JCZ (2014). Estimates of abundance and apparent survival of coastal dolphins in Port Essington harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. Wildlife Research, 35-45.

Parra & Cagnazzi 2016

Parra GJ & Cagnazzi D (2016). Conservation status of the Australian humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis) using the IUCN Red List criteria. Advances in Marine Biology, 157-192.

Parra et al. 2006

Parra GJ, Corkeron PJ & Marsh H (2006). Population sizes, site fidelity and residence patterns of Australian snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins: implications for conservation. Biological Conservation, 167-180.

Sprogis et al. 2016

Sprogis KR, Pollock KH, Raudino HC, Allen SJ, Kopps AM, Manlik O, Tyne JA & Bejder L (2016). Sex-specific patterns in abundance, temporary emigration and survival of Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in coastal and estuarine waters. Frontiers in Marine Science, 3.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Populations generally stable, although some are declining in the east and south-east

Year(s):

2011

3

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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.

Baleen whales (not including humpbacks)

Humpback whales

Toothed whales

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not comparable

Whales

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

This assessment is based on peer-reviewed papers and reports provided by a series of researchers working on whales in Australia.

Methods associated with the systematic surveys used to produce abundance estimates for the relevant species are detailed in the publications in the reference list ('Supplementary information').

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=e16cf37d-f98d-4ae8-99a1-cd936b3119c2.

Data/Information sources

Details of the specific data products used in this assessment have not been provided.

Bannister 2014

Bannister JL (2014). Monitoring population dynamics of right whales off southern Australia. Final report to the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Western Australian Museum.

Bejder et al. 2016

Bejder M, Johnston DW, Smith J, Friedlander A & Bejder L (2016). Embracing conservation success of recovering humpback whale populations: evaluating the case for downlisting their conservation status in Australia. Marine Policy 66:137–141.

Carroll et al. 2014

Carroll G, Hedley S, Bannister J, Ensor P & Harcourt R (2014). No evidence for recovery in the population of sperm whale bulls off Western Australia, 30 years post-whaling. Endangered Species Research, 24:33-43.

IWC 2012

IWC (International Whaling Commission) (2012). Report of the workshop on southern right whales. 64th International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee meeting, 11-22 June 2012 Panama City, Panama.

Noad et al. 2011

Noad MJ, Dunlop RA, Paton D & Kniest HE (2011). Abundance estimates of the east Australian humpback population: 2010 survey and update.

Noad et al. 2011

Noad MJ, Dunlop RA, Paton D & Cato DH (2011). Absolute and relative abundance estimates of Australian east coast humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management Special Issue 3:243–252.

Salgado Kent et al. 2012

Salgado-Kent C, Jenner C, Jenner M, Bouchet P & Rexstad E (2012). Southern Hemisphere breeding stock D humpback whale population estimates from North West Cape, Western Australia. Journal of Cetacean Research Management 12:29–38.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Baleen whales (not including humpbacks)

Condition and trends are poorly understood for some species, but recovery occurring generally

Year(s):

2011

2

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Humpback whales

Condition in the east and south-east remains very poor and stable

Year(s):

2011

3

Improving

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

Toothed whales

Condition and trends are poorly understood

Year(s):

2011

2

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

State and trends of marine biodiversity: Species Groups

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 seals

Australian sea lions

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.

Year(s):

2016

3

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Low

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Fur seals and sea lions

20162011

Marine environment

State and trends

Approach/Process

Comparison of pup production estimates over several breeding seasons (Australian sea lion, long-nosed fur seal); comparison of pup production estimates over three breeding seasons: 2002–03, 2007–08 and 2013–14 (Australian fur seal).

Further information on the assessment process can be accessed through the Australian Ocean Data Network SoE Metadata catalogue at http://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/metadata.show?uuid=16c027ee-2277-4c95-84ff-402240c68182.

Data/Information sources

The assessments are based on data and analyses published in peer-reviewed publications and agency reports (see publications in 'Supplementary information') and data held by SARDI, WA DPAW and Phillip Island Nature Parks. Details of the specific data products used in this assessment have not been provided.

Campbell et al. 2014

Campbell R, Holley D, Collins P & Armstrong S (2014). Changes in the abundance and distribution of the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) in Western Australia: are they approaching carrying capacity? Australian Journal of Zoology 62:261–267.

Chilvers & Goldsworthy 2015

Chilvers, B. and Goldsworthy, S. 2015. Arctocephalus forsteri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Goldsworthy et al. 2015b

Goldsworthy SD, Mackay AI, Shaughnessy PD, Bailleul F & Holman D (2015b). Maintaining the monitoring of pup production at key Australian sea lion colonies in South Australia (2014/15), final report to the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, SARDI publication F2012/000665-5, SARDI Research Report Series, no. 871, South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide.

Johnson & Fritz 2014

Johnson DS & Fritz L (2014). agTrend: a Bayesian approach for estimating trends of aggregated abundance. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 1110-1115.

Kirkwood & Goldsworthy 2013

Kirkwood R & Goldsworthy SD (2013) Fur seals and sea lions, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australian Natural History Series.

Kirkwood et al. 2010

Kirkwood R, Pemberton D, Gales R, Hoskins AJ, Mitchell A, Shaughnessy PD & Arnould JPY (2010). Continued population recovery by Australian fur seals. Continued population recovery by Australian fur seals, 695-701.

McIntosh et al. 2014

McIntosh R, Sutherland D, Dann P, Kirkwood R, Thalman S, Alderman R, Arnould JPY, Mitchell T, Kirkman SP, Salton M & Slip D (2014). Pup estimates for Australian and New Zealand fur seals in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales between 2007 and 2013, report to the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Department of the Environment, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes.

Shaughnessy et al. 2015

Shaughnessy PD, Goldsworthy SD & Mackay AI (2015). Status and trends in abundance of the long-nosed fur seal in South Australia in 2013–14. Australian Journal of Zoology 63:101–110.

Shaughnessy & Goldsworthy 2016

Shaughnessy PD & Goldsworthy SD (2016). Increasing abundance of pups of the long-nosed fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri on Kangaroo Island, South Australia over 26 breeding seasons to 2013-14. Wildlife Research, 42.