Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 54
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional Marine Planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
Is the Department satisfied with marine sections of regional NRM bodies?

Answer/s:
The Department is satisfied with progress being made by coastal regional natural resource management bodies to identify and address marine issues in their regional plans and investment strategies.
Since July 2002 under the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust, around half of the Trust funding is being delivered through 56 regional natural resource management bodies covering the whole of Australia. The regional Trust funding is being invested to pursue targets and priorities developed by regional communities and articulated in plans accredited by governments. The Trust bilateral agreements with the states and territories require regional plans to address the full range of natural resource management issues within their region in order to be accredited. All regional plans and regional investment strategies for the 36 coastal regions need to demonstrate appropriate management actions and targets to address coastal and marine issues, or a commitment to set these targets. To date 32 of the 36 coastal regions have accredited regional plans and approved investment strategies. 
In the first years of the extension of the Trust, marine issues were in some regions poorly addressed in regional plans and investment strategies. The Australian Government has worked with the state and territory governments and the regions to identify investment gaps and to develop and fund marine projects through the national and regional competitive components of the Trust and through state strategic reserves.
The Australian Government continues to work with state and territory governments and the regions to strengthen access by coastal regional natural resource management bodies to marine expertise and ensure revised regional plans and investment strategies address marine issues.
The jurisdiction of regional natural resource management bodies over marine waters varies from state to state. Many regional bodies have no jurisdiction over marine waters. In NSW, following the establishment of Catchment Management Authorities as statutory authorities in January 2004, the five coastal Catchment Management Authorities became responsible for the coastal zone out to 3 nautical miles off shore. 

Irrespective of jurisdictional responsibilities, the coastal regional bodies make an important contribution to marine condition as the natural resource management of terrestrial environments affects related ecosystems such as estuarine and coastal fish hatcheries and the water quality of river outflows to the marine environment. Through a partnership approach, coastal regional natural resource management bodies are working with federal, state, territory and local governments, industry and communities to deliver marine projects. 
In many regions the initial marine projects delivered by the regional bodies involve obtaining baseline data and strategic planning such as marine habitat mapping in Victoria and Tasmania and a project to assess the condition of Tasmanian rocky reef communities. In Western Australia, the $4.2 million Marine Futures project aims to provide regional bodies, local coastal communities, the recreational and commercial fishing industry and other marine industries with a sound scientific basis for identifying the highest priority and best value for money on-ground works.

Queensland coastal regions and the Northern Territory are cooperating to deliver two cross-regional marine projects. The Northern Territory regional investment strategy includes $3.8 million for a project coordinated by the Northern Territory Landcare Council in collaboration with the Northern Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance focused on community management of dugongs and marine turtles. The Northern Gulf region investment strategy includes $2 million for a project coordinated by the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group for management of marine debris, particularly ghost nets, in the Gulf of Carpentaria by community groups in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
In NSW, Trust funding of $235,000 has been provided to the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority for a state-wide project to further implement two objectives identified in the national recovery plan for the Grey Nurse Shark (2002): to develop research programs to assist conservation of Grey Nurse sharks and promote community education about Grey Nurse Sharks.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 55
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional Marine Planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
What representation of marine expertise on NRM bodies?
Answer/s:
Of the 56 natural resource management regions covering the whole of Australia, 36 regions include coastal areas. In these 36 coastal regions over 40% of the regional bodies include one or more members considered to have marine or both coastal and marine expertise. When staff of the regional bodies are taken into account, over half the regional bodies have marine or both coastal and marine expertise. 
In addition to the expertise on regional bodies and associated staff, natural resource management regional bodies have access to a range of marine expertise. 
–	In NSW, all the coastal Catchment Management Authorities have marine sub-committees that provide input into strategic planning and implementation of investment strategies.
–	In Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, representatives from state agencies with marine responsibilities provide expertise through participation on regional bodies and their sub-committees and working groups.
–	All coastal regions in Victoria access marine expertise through the Regional Coastal Boards.
–	In Queensland, most regions have a technical assessment panel from which they can seek scientific advice including on coastal and marine issues as well as having access to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Coastal Cooperative Research Centre.
–	In many states the state-wide and regionally-based coastal and marine facilitators provide expertise to regional bodies by providing policy and technical advice on coastal and marine issues through participation on regional plan and investment strategy working groups and project committees.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 56
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional marine planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
According to Senator Campbell’s announcement on Australian marine planning programme, regional marine planning is to be brought under the EPBC Act – how?

Answer/s:
Regional marine plans will be prepared under Section 176 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). Section 176 provides for bioregional plans to be prepared for bioregions within Commonwealth areas. The Minister must have regard to a bioregional plan in making any decision under the EPBC Act. 

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 57
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional marine planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
How will the new process streamline regional marine planning?

Answer/s:
By embedding regional marine planning in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act), the Government has provided a stronger focus to the marine planning programme. Under s176 of the EPBC Act, marine bioregional plans will primarily be concerned with clearly identifying the conservation values of a marine region and developing an integrated conservation strategy including measures aimed to address current and emerging risks to those values.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 58
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional Marine Planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
What is the program of roll out of regional marine planning around Australia?

Answer/s:
The roll out of regional marine plans around Australia will follow the sequence of finalisation of the North plan, the South-west, the North-west, and the Central East (which includes Australian waters in the Coral Sea east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park). The new arrangements for regional marine planning have three steps: preparation and release of a regional profile; release of a draft plan; and release of the final plan which includes candidate Marine Protected Areas.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 59
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional Marine Planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
How will this process [the regional marine planning process under s.176 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)] interact with the regional marine planning process under the regional NRM process?

Answer/s:
Regional marine planning under s.176 of the EPBC Act will help inform regional NRM planning processes of the conservation values in each marine region. 

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 60
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional marine planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
What progress has there been on the western regional marine plan?

Answer/s:
Progress in the south-west has been made in relation to consolidating data and knowledge in relation to various aspects of the marine region.
Projects are underway to review and consolidate:
i)	the current understanding of the ecosystem and the key ecological drivers;
ii)	the marine environment and resource uses that occur in the region; and
iii)	Indigenous marine values; and
iv)	spatial data (biophysical, socio-economic and management) held within government and other organisations.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 61
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional Marine Planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
What progress has been made on the northern regional marine plan?

Answer/s:
The Northern Regional Marine Plan will cover the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Arafura Sea (the Northern Planning Area) and will be the first Marine Bioregional Plan developed under section 176 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It is due for completion in late 2007.

The scoping of the regional marine plan commenced in late 2002 and was undertaken jointly with the Northern Territory and Queensland Governments. The Scoping Report was released in September 2004. 

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 62
Sub Outcome:	
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Regional marine planning
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
Has WA signed National Oceans Policy?

Answer/s:
No. Australia’s Oceans Policy is a policy of the Australian Government, launched in 1998.
Since 1998, the Australian Government has pursued a cooperative approach to integrated oceans management under the auspices of the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council. This has led in 2004 to a Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council joint statement undersigned by all jurisdictions and outlining broad principles for integrated oceans management. Additionally a number of States, including Western Australia, have been working collaboratively with the Australian Government on marine planning.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 63
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Deep Sea Fishing
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
What action is the Department taking to comply with UNGA resolution 59/25 on sustainable fisheries?

"Take action urgently and consider on a case by case basis etc …to prohibition [sic] of destructive fishing practices, including bottom-trawling that adversely impact on vulnerable marine ecosystems".

Answer:
Australia is seriously concerned about the impact of a range of human activities, including destructive fishing practices, upon the vulnerable ecosystems of the deep oceans and high seas. Australia has consistently worked towards responsible international management of high seas biodiversity, and again spoke up strongly at a UN meeting in New York this year on this issue

The Department of the Environment and Heritage, as lead agency for biodiversity conservation, is working with other Australian Government Departments on the application of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 59/25. The resolution is among the matters being considered by the Australian Government in the development of its position on biodiversity conservation and governance in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The Australian Government is also examining, on a case by case basis, the potential for the application of UNGA resolution 59/25 by relevant international organisations to which Australia is a party or participant, such as Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

Australia also co-sponsored the UNGA Resolution UNGA 59/24 on Oceans and Law of the Sea, which established an ad-hoc open-ended informal working group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. The group will meet in February 2006. Australia intends to play an active role in this working group.

The Government has already protected sea mounts within the national 200 nautical mile zone to the south-east of Tasmania. On 16 May 1999 the Tasmanian Seamounts Marine Reserve was declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 in order to protect a sample of the unique bottom dwelling communities associated with the Seamount region. The Reserve is divided into two management zones. Each of these zones has different objectives and allows different activities. The highly protected zone runs from a depth of 500m to 100m below the sea-bed and is managed to protect the integrity of the benthic ecosystem. This means that no method of fishing nor petroleum or mineral exploration is permitted in the highly protected zone.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 64
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Marine Protected Areas
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
There hasn’t really been a significant expansion of marine commonwealth reserves despite various funding programmes. What are the obstacles to implementation?

Answer:
The marine protected areas (MPAs) declared in Commonwealth waters since 1996 are:
Great Australian Bight Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)(1998)
Tasmanian Seamounts Marine Reserve (1999)
Macquarie Island Marine Park (1999)
Cartier Island Marine Reserve (2000)
Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters)(2000)
Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve (2002)

There have not been obstacles to MPA development. The Government has instigated a comprehensive process for the collation and assessment of information, development of appropriate operational policy and guidelines and stakeholder involvement in the MPA identification process working at the large regional scale.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 65
Division/Agency:	Marine Division – MPA Development
Topic:	Marine Protected Areas
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewart asked:
What areas are presently under consideration for marine protection? What is the timeline for implementation?

Answer:
•	The South-east Regional Marine Plan (2004) identified 11 Broad Areas of Interest in which Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) would be pursued.
•	The plan contained candidate MPAs for 2 areas covering more than 40,000 km2. They are the Murray candidate MPA south of Kangaroo Island and the Zeehan candidate MPA west of Tasmania.
•	Since releasing the plan, the Government has been doing further ground work with stakeholders towards identifying MPAs across the remaining Broad Areas of Interest.
•	Following the Government’s announcement of the fisheries adjustment package, the MPA design process in the South-east has been brought forward to integrate with changes to fisheries management arrangements. 

•	The Government has announced its intention to finalise the MPA network in the South-east by the end of March.
•	The new strategic approach to regional marine planning under section 176 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, will form the basis of identification of MPAs in other regions as this process unfolds around Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The next regions for MPA development are the North and South-west regions. 
•	The Government is committed to having the Commonwealth component of the National Representative System of MPAs established by 2012.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 66
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Marine Protected Areas
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewart asked:
Senator Campbell said the new approach to regional marine planning process will provide the platform for developing the national representative system of marine protected areas in commonwealth water – how?

Answer:
Regional marine plans will draw on Australia’s growing marine science and socio-economic information base to provide a detailed picture of each marine region. The plans will describe each region’s key habitats, plants and animals; natural processes; human uses and benefits; and threats to the long-term ecological sustainability of the region. 

All this information will form the basis for the identification and selection of Marine Protected Areas in Commonwealth waters for inclusion in the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 67
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Western Australia Fisheries	
Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert Asked:
1.	Have the Western Australian shark fisheries received export exemptions from the Minister for Environment following DEH environment assessment? If not, why not?

2.	If not, can shark fin products be legally exported from Western Australia?

3. Are shark fin products still being exported from Western Australian fisheries?

Answer/s:
1.	Western Australian shark fisheries are currently being assessed and are covered by an exemption until 28 February 2006, after the Western Australian Government asked for more time to provide the required documentation.

2.	N/A

3.	Legally caught shark fin products are able to be legally exported.

Outcome:	1. Environment			Question No: 68
Division/Agency:	Marine Division
Topic:	Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve

Hansard Page ECITA:	Written Question on Notice

Senator Siewert asked:
1.	Is monitoring of the impact of illegal fishing on these reserves being undertaken?
2.	If so, have impacts of illegal fishing been observed? What are they?
3.	What action is being taken to protect these reserves from illegal fishing?

Answer/s:
1.	Yes, monitoring of the impacts of illegal fishing occurs at both Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. The Department of the Environment and Heritage has implemented a research and monitoring program which involves a major marine survey every 2 years and a range of more specific research projects. 

2.	Illegal fishing by Indonesian nationals in these reserves has been a problem in the past and attempted illegal fishing is still routinely observed. The impacts of illegal fishing have been significantly reduced since the stationing of an Australian Customs Vessel at Ashmore Reef in the year 2000.

3.	Protection of these reserves from illegal fishing occurs through maintaining a permanent enforcement presence in the area. The current arrangement of stationing an Australian Customs Vessel (which includes rapid pursuit craft and armed enforcement personnel) throughout the year at Ashmore Reef has worked well. The Department of the Environment and Heritage works very closely with the officers stationed at Ashmore as well as the Australian Customs National Marine Unit and Coastwatch, to ensure illegal fishing at both Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Reserves is kept to a minimum.

Traditional Indonesian fishermen visiting Ashmore are routinely boarded by Customs officers and are provided with information about the management arrangements for the reserves and for the area around the reserves that falls under the Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesia about continued use by traditional Indonesian fishermen (referred to as the MOU Box). This information is provided in Indonesian.

An alternative livelihoods project has been developed (with AusAid funding) to provide alternative commercial activities (such as aquaculture and seaweed farming) for traditional Indonesian fishermen operating in the MOU Box and their families. To date, a trial of the program in two villages has proven successful. The latest grant will see the program expanded to seven villages.

Australia continues to work closely with the Indonesian Government on illegal fishing issues in Australian waters. Recent meetings between Australian and Indonesian officials have identified a number of potential mechanisms to address illegal fishing.

Development of cooperative measures between Indonesia and Australia has been further pursued at Ministerial level. Fisheries and Foreign Affairs Ministers from both governments have met to discuss the issue of Indonesian incursions into Australian waters. Together with Indonesian Government agencies, Australian Government officials will be:
•	undertaking an education campaign to raise awareness in Indonesia of the consequences of fishing illegally in Australian waters;
•	conducting a joint study about the problem of illegal fishing in South East Asia – particularly for shark fin;
•	pursuing opportunities for more direct involvement of Indonesian authorities in surveillance and apprehension, and
•	examining opportunities to improve the management of the MOU Box.

The Australian Government will continue to work closely with Indonesia with follow up meetings already planned for early 2006.