Interim Report

Prototype Standard - Migratory Species

June 2020

Matter-specific - Migratory Species

Appendix 1 - Prototype National Environmental Standard for matters of national environmental significance (MNES). This section provides a prototype standard for Migratory Species. This should be read in conjunction with the overarching standards for MNES and the existing requirements of the EPBC Act.

Migratory species are those animals that migrate to Australia and its external territories, or pass though or over Australian waters during their annual migrations. Examples of migratory species are species of birds (e.g. albatrosses and petrels), mammals (e.g. whales) or reptiles (e.g. marine turtles). Migratory species are those listed on international migratory species conventions and agreements to which Australia is a party.

Element

Description

Environmental Outcome

Migratory species and their habitats are protected, conserved and managed to support their survival.

National Standard
  1. No net lossa of important habitatb for migratory species.

Additional requirements in Commonwealth areas:

  1. Actions must not kill, injure or take a listed migratory species, except where an EPBC Act permit is issued.

Requirements for migratory species that are also threatened species or marine species are addressed in the Standard relevant to that MNES.

Further Information

Statutory Documents:

Policy Documents:

a Relative to the impacts of the action. Quantification of impacts should include changes to the integrity, quality, condition and/or extent of habitat. Measures must account for the time taken to deliver a conservation gain for the protected matter.

b Important habitat for migratory shorebirds is defined in EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.21 - Industry guidelines for avoiding, assessing and mitigating impacts on EPBC Act listed migratory shorebird species. For other migratory species, ‘important habitat’ should be determined with reference to other policy documents. Further work should be undertaken to refine this definition.

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