Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024 (Cth)
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
APPROVAL OF THE HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS
MARINE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2014-2024
I, GREG HUNT, Minister for the Environment, acting pursuant to section 370 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, hereby approve the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024.
Dated this …1st ... day of …October………, 2014
…Greg Hunt……………………………………………………
Greg Hunt
Minister for the Environment
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Marine Reserve Management Plan
2014-2024
Department of the Environment
ISBN: 978-1876934-255
This publication is available on the internet at:
It is also available from the Department of Environment at [email protected] or freecall 1800 803 772.
This publication should be cited as: Commonwealth of Australia (2014). Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024, Department of the Environment, Canberra.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2014
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Disclaimer
The contents of this document have been compiled using a range of source materials and are valid as at October 2014. The Australian Government is not liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of or reliance on the contents of the document.
Contents
Part 1 – Foreword and acknowledgements5
Part 2 – A description of the Reserve8
Part 3 – Management plan for the Reserve16
1. Introductory background16
1.1 Proclamation of the Reserve 16
1.2 Conservation significance of the Reserve16
1.3 Previous management plans 19
1.4 Structure of this management plan 19
2. Introductory provisions21
2.1 Short title 21
2.2 Commencement and termination 21
2.3 Interpretation (including acronyms) 21
3. IUCN category and zoning24
4. Assessment and approval of activities35
5. Natural heritage management39
5.1 Terrestrial and marine ecosystems and landscape39
5.2 Climate change44
5.3 Waste management46
5.4 Prevention and management of non-native species and diseases50
5.5 Research and monitoring 58
6. Cultural heritage management71
7. Visitor management and Reserve use 74
7.1 Management of commercial and other non-government actions 74
7.2 Access and transport79
7.3 Management of facilities83
7.4 Communicating Reserve values 87
8. Stakeholders and partnerships89
9. Business management92
9.1 Compliance and enforcement92
9.2 Incident management94
9.3 New activities and circumstances not specified in this management plan97
9.4 Management plan implementation and evaluation99
Part 4 – Appendices101
Appendix A - Legislative and policy contexts101
Appendix B - Reserve native fauna listed under the EPBC Act113
Appendix C - Physical and biological characteristics of the Reserve’s marine environment119
Appendix D - World Heritage values of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands 124
Part 5 – Bibliography and further reading126
Part 1 – Foreword and acknowledgements
Foreword
Located some 4,000 kilometres south-west of mainland Australia in the southern Indian Ocean, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve is Australia’s most remote Commonwealth Reserve.
The Reserve was established in October 2002 under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). It is some 71,000 square kilometres in area and includes the Commonwealth external territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. It possesses an incredibly dynamic natural environment dominated by volcanism, glacial action, major ocean currents and abundant wildlife. By virtue of its extreme isolation and harsh subantarctic climate, the Reserve is largely devoid of human introduced species. The Reserve provides important breeding and foraging grounds for many bird and mammal species, some of which are listed as threatened or migratory species under the EPBC Act. The Reserve also contains important benthic habitats and unique marine species that collectively make an outstanding contribution to Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas. In recognition of its outstanding natural universal values, the Territory was inscribed on the World Heritage List in December 1997.
This management plan is the second for the Reserve and takes account of submissions received through two public consultation processes. It was prepared by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) of the Department of the Environment. The Director of National Parks has delegated responsibilities under the EPBC Act in respect of the Reserve to the AAD in recognition of the AAD’s considerable Antarctic and subantarctic expertise and its ongoing responsibilities for the administration of the Territory on behalf of the Australian Government. Management and research activities in the Reserve are limited by its extreme isolation and the consequent need for resource-intensive support.
This management plan provides a comprehensive management framework to facilitate the identification, protection and communication of the Reserve’s values over the next ten years.
Dr. Tony Fleming
Director
Australian Antarctic Division
Acknowledgements
This management plan was prepared by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment. The Director of the Australian Antarctic Division acknowledges the individuals and organisations that contributed to its preparation.
Figure 1: Location of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve
Part 2 – A description of the Reserve
Location and area
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (HIMI) are located in the southern Indian Ocean some 4,100 kilometres south-west of Perth, Western Australia. The McDonald Islands are located 43 kilometres west of Heard Island. Heard Island is 368 square kilometres in area. Following significant subsea volcanic activity, McDonald Island is now approximately three square kilometres in area. The Reserve is some 71,000 square kilometres in area.
Governance and people
The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (the Territory) has been an external Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia since 1953. The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953 provides the legislative basis for the Territory’s administration. Administration of the Territory is the responsibility of the Australian Government department that administers the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953. This responsibility has historically been undertaken by the Australian Antarctic Division. Intermittent visits by Australian Government personnel, scientists and tourists aside, the Territory is devoid of human habitation.
History
Discovery and industry
Although sealing and shipping operations were undertaken around Îles Kerguelen from the 1770s onwards, HIMI remained unknown to humankind until the mid-1800s (Downes and Downes 2005). The first definitive sighting of Heard Island was made on 25 November 1853 by Captain John Heard on the vessel Oriental (Green 2005b). The first definitive sighting of the McDonald Islands was made on 4 January 1854 by Captain William McDonald on the vessel Samarang. More than 40 vessels made over 100 voyages to Heard Island to conduct sealing operations in the three decades following its discovery (Downes and Downes 2005). Heard Island’s typically severe sea and weather conditions and lack of sheltered harbours contributed significantly to the wreckage of many vessels (Budd 2007). The sealers’ principal target was the ‘sea-elephant’ (i.e. southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina) (Downes and Downes 2005, Downes 2002). A very large number of southern elephant seals were killed for their oil on Heard Island, with production peaking between 1857 and 1859 (Downes and Downes 2005). Despite the near destruction of Heard Island’s seal populations, hunting continued until 1877 (Downes and Downes 2005). There are no records of sealing operations on the McDonald Islands.
Early scientific research
Five scientific expeditions visited Heard Island between 1874 and 1929. The crew of the vessel Challenger visited Atlas Cove briefly in 1874 to collect scientific samples. Later that same year a German expedition visited Heard Island on the vessel Arkona to locate suitable sites for the observation of the transit of Venus. The German Antarctic Expedition landed briefly at Atlas Cove in 1902 to collect scientific samples. French geologists visited the Atlas Cove region in 1928. The British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition led by Douglas Mawson visited Heard Island in 1929 (Green 2005b).
ANARE 1947-1955
The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established a station at Atlas Cove on 11 December 1947 as a prelude to Britain’s transfer of sovereignty over HIMI to Australia on 26 December 1947. Many of the station’s 35 buildings were constructed from materials left over from World War II. In the years that followed, ANARE conducted extensive botanical, geological, meteorological and zoological studies around Heard Island. It also conducted spatial surveys and produced the first detailed maps of Heard Island. These activities solidified Australian sovereignty over HIMI (Munro 2005). The Atlas Cove station was closed in March 1955 following the establishment of Mawson station in the Australian Antarctic Territory in February 1954.
ANARE 1955-2004
Nineteen ANARE expeditions were undertaken at HIMI between 1955 and 2004 (Green 2005a). The principal objective of these expeditions was scientific research. Scientific research was undertaken in the fields of botany, geology, glaciology, meteorology and zoology. Detailed geospatial and archaeological surveys were also undertaken. In January 1971 a helicopter-borne team of Australian and French expeditioners made the first documented landing on McDonald Island (Budd 2007). Heard Island’s severe winds and persistent dampness have hastened the disintegration of the former Atlas Cove station buildings. The AAD subsequently undertook cleanup operations at this site during the 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88 and 2000/01 austral summers.
Private expeditions and tourism visits
Eight private expeditions were undertaken at HIMI between 1963 and 2000 (Green 2005a). The first successful ascent of Mawson Peak was achieved on 25 January 1965 by mountaineers of the Southern Indian Ocean Expedition (Budd 2007). Two further successful ascents were achieved in 1983 and 2000. Amateur radio enthusiasts conducted private expeditions to Heard Island in 1983 and 1997. Ship-borne tourism visits were made to Heard Island in 1992, 1997, 2002, 2011 and 2012. A small number of individuals have visited Heard Island on yachts since the early 1970s.
Natural values
Geology and geomorphology
HIMI is a surface exposure of the Kerguelen Plateau (Quilty 2005). Covering an approximate area of two million square kilometres, the Kerguelen Plateau is one of the world’s largest submarine plateaus.
HIMI’s unique geomorphology is the product of volcanism, glaciations and vigorous marine processes. HIMI remains volcanically active. Volcanism has significantly altered the coastline and topography of the McDonald Islands over the past three decades. Satellite imagery captured in 2012 shows that McDonald Island has doubled in area since 1980. Heard Island’s topography is dominated by the active volcanic cone known as Big Ben which rises to a height of 2745 metres at Mawson Peak (Stephenson et al. 2005). Mawson Peak is Australia’s highest peak outside of the Australian Antarctic Territory. Numerous eruptions and volcanic events have been observed on Big Ben since 1947. Other volcanic landforms (including scoria, cinder cones, craters, domes, open vertical volcanic conduits, lava flows and lava tubes) are found across Heard Island, with notable concentrations on the Laurens and Azorella Peninsulas (Kiernan and McConnell 1999).
Glaciology
Approximately 70% of Heard Island’s area is glaciated. Steep glaciers descend radially and rapidly from Mawson Peak. Following periods of glacial retreat, many of Heard Island’s glaciers now terminate inland from the coastline. This has led to the widespread formation of glacial lakes and lagoons. Heard Island lost approximately 11% of its glacial coverage between 1947 and 1988 (Ruddell 2005).
Wetlands
Heard Island possesses several wetland areas around its coastal perimeter. These include areas of wetland vegetation, lagoons and rocky and sandy shores. They are mostly separated by active glaciers. Heard Island’s wetland areas are of high conservation significance (Watkins and Jaensch 2003). They provide important breeding and feeding habitats for several Antarctic and subantarctic species including gentoo, king, macaroni and southern rockhopper penguins and southern elephant seals. Although some wetland areas were previously recorded on McDonald Island, ongoing volcanic activity may have altered their extent.
Marine environment
HIMI is surrounded by deep ocean basins. Located at the confluence of key oceanographic fronts and possessing assemblages of upwellings, eddies and gyres, HIMI possesses nutrient rich biologically productive waters. HIMI supports key foraging areas for land-based marine predators, bird species and cetacean species. It supports significant fish stocks and nurseries and a diverse range of benthic invertebrates (including corals, sponges, barnacles and echinoderms) (Meyer et al. 2000).
Flora
By virtue of its severe climate, extensive ice coverage and extreme geographic isolation, HIMI possesses a low level of flora diversity. Low-growing herbaceous flowering plants and bryophytes predominate. Twelve species of vascular plant and 133 species of bryophyte and lichen are known to inhabit Heard Island. Although flora habitation is concentrated around coastal areas, glacial retreat and the consequent reconnection of previously separated ice-free areas is extending the distribution of some flora species (Scott and Bergstrom 2005). The McDonald Islands possess less vegetation and flora diversity than Heard Island. Furthermore, ongoing volcanic activity has probably altered the distribution and abundance of vegetation on the McDonald Islands.
Poa annua, a grass species that originated in Europe (Tutin 1957) and is now found on all major subantarctic island groups (Frenot et al. 2005), was discovered at the edge of Heard Island’s Winston Lagoon in the austral summer of 1986-87 (Scott 1989). Seabirds probably transported Poa annua to Heard Island from nearby Îles Kerguelen (Scott and Kirkpatrick 2005). Poa annua is considered a non-native species on Heard Island. Leptinella plumosa, a daisy native to the subantarctic region, was discovered at Heard Island’s Paddick Valley in 2004 (Turner et al. 2006). Genetic research may clarify whether Leptinella plumosa arrived on Heard Island via a human vector or a natural process (i.e. seabird, wind or ocean current dispersal).
Fauna
HIMI supports diverse and significant populations of birds, fish, invertebrates and mammals. Unlike many other subantarctic islands, HIMI is devoid of introduced predators. HIMI is crucial breeding and foraging habitat for several marine mammal populations. Seven species of seal have been recorded at HIMI. Three species are known to breed at Heard Island. The broader HIMI region is an important habitat for cetacean species (Bannister et al. 1996). Although cetacean sightings are relatively rare around Heard Island in comparison to other subantarctic islands (Green 2005c), sixteen cetacean species (including baleen whales, toothed whales and dolphins) are known to inhabit the surrounding Kerguelen Plateau.
HIMI is crucial breeding and foraging habitat for a number of bird species. Its wetland areas have been known to support more than four million birds (Woehler and Croxall 1991). Nineteen bird species are known to breed at HIMI (Woehler 2005). Two species, the Heard Island cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) and the Heard Island sheathbill (Chionis minor nasicornis), are endemic to HIMI. HIMI possesses a diverse range of fish species. Antarctic cod and icefish species predominate in shallower nearshore waters while decapods, skates and toothfish predominate in deeper offshore waters (Williams 2005, Gon and Heemstra 1990).
Heard Island possesses a relatively low number of terrestrial invertebrate species (Chown et al. 2005). Heard Island possesses only three non-native animal species: the worm Dendrodrilus rubidus (Dartnall 2003), the thrip Apterothrips apteris and the mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Frenot et al. 2005). Although Heard Island has been exposed to other non-native animal species in the past, there is no evidence of their current existence.
Cultural values
Sealing era
Several sites around the Heard Island coastline exhibit evidence of 19th century sealing operations. Ruins and artefacts include stone working platforms, hut footings, occupied caves, graves, barrels and work tools. These remnants provide insight into the lives of sealers and the nature and scale of their activities on Heard Island (McGowan and Lazer 1989).
ANARE artefacts
Atlas Cove possesses Heard Island’s most significant concentration of historic ruins and artefacts. Although Atlas Cove was the site of several small scale scientific research expeditions following the decline of the sealing industry, the majority of its ruins and artefacts are associated with the ANARE research station which operated there between 1947 and 1955. Ruins and artefacts include building foundations, graves, machinery and expeditionary equipment. These remnants provide insight into the lives of expeditioners and the nature of their activities on Heard Island. They also demonstrate early ANARE building design and engineering.
Shipwrecks
More than 40 vessels made over 100 voyages to Heard Island to conduct sealing operations in the three decades following its discovery (Downes and Downes 2005). At least fourteen of these vessels are recorded as having been wrecked at Heard Island (Downes 1996). No specific shipwreck locations are known, however shipwreck artefacts have been recorded at Walrus Beach, Skua Beach and Spit Bay (McGowan and Lazer 1989).
Climate
HIMI is located in a climate zone associated with deep low-pressure systems and strong and persistent westerly winds (known colloquially as the ‘furious fifties’). HIMI’s maritime setting leads to low temperature ranges, persistent cloud cover and frequent precipitation. Approximately 1400 millimetres of precipitation is recorded annually. Heard Island’s local climate is significantly influenced by its perennial ice cover and steep topography. Monthly average temperatures at Atlas Cove range from 0.0° to 4.2°C, with average daily ranges of 3.7 to 5.2°C in summer and -0.8 to 0.3°C in winter (Thost and Allison 2005).
The climate of Heard Island is changing. Observations at Atlas Cove indicate an average annual air temperature increase of almost 1°C between 1948-1954 and 1997-2001 (Thost and Allison 2005). Similar changes have also been observed at other locations in the southern Indian Ocean. Increased warming has led to glacial retreat (Thost and Truffer 2007), which is leading to the formation of lagoons and freshwater lakes and is exposing new land to flora and fauna colonisation. Climate change is likely to increase the risk of the establishment of invasive species (Chown et al. 2005).
Scientific values
HIMI is of significant importance and interest to the scientific community. The key drivers for scientific research at HIMI can be broadly classified as:
§Condition: HIMI possesses relatively undisturbed physical and biological systems and natural processes.
§Content: HIMI contains unique and highly dynamic physical and biological systems and natural processes.
§Location: HIMI is located in an isolated and unique subantarctic geographical location that is in the flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and close to the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone (APFZ).
§Management: Science facilitates the achievement of the Reserve’s management objectives, including the fulfilment of requirements under national legislation and international agreements.
Table 1. Key scientific values and research drivers in the HIMI region
Key Scientific Values
Driver(s)
The relatively undisturbed physical and biological systems of the HIMI region are excellent indicators of environmental change.
Condition (undisturbed terrestrial and marine ecosystems)
Glacial retreat is an indicator of climate change. Heard Island provides unique opportunities to measure the rate of glacial retreat.
Location (south of the APFZ)
Content (presence of glaciers)
HIMI is a site of relatively rapid geological and geomorphological change. It provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into island and plateau formation.
Content (presence of exposed geological features and processes)
Records of past climate provide insight into climate change. Heard Island yields records of past climate.
Location (subantarctic, south of APFZ)
Content (glacial ice, peat/sediment records)
Big Ben provides unique opportunities for research into deep-earth magmatic processes.
Content (presence of volcanic activity)
HIMI’s relatively undisturbed biological systems provide unique opportunities to test ecological theories and model the dynamics of environmental change and associated biological responses.
Location (in flow of ACC)
Content (unique, unusual and dynamic processes, biologically and trophically simple ecosystems)
Condition (relatively undisturbed ecosystems processes)
HIMI is an important site for the recording of biota along an Antarctic terrestrial transect that monitors the effects of climate change.
Location (isolated location, subantarctic, south of AFPZ)
Content (biologically and trophically simple terrestrial ecosystems, rapid climate warming)
Condition (relatively undisturbed biota)
HIMI presents opportunities for the direct examination of the early geological history of the Kerguelen Plateau.
Location (subantarctic, Kerguelen Plateau)
Content (exposed stratified rocks and geological formations)
HIMI provides a scientific reference area for the study of ecosystem function on the Kerguelen Plateau.
Location (Kerguelen Plateau)
Condition (relatively undisturbed marine ecosystems)
Heard Island is a stable platform on the Kerguelen plateau for the establishment of observatories (geophysics, meteorology).
Location (Southern Ocean)
Content (terrestrial areas)
International and national significance
The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands was inscribed on the World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention in December 1997. The basis for its inscription is its outstanding natural universal values. See Appendix D for further information regarding the Territory’s World Heritage listing.
By virtue of its earlier inscription on the World Heritage List, the Territory was found to fulfil three National Heritage criteria pursuant to the EPBC Act. It was subsequently added to the National Heritage List in May 2007.
Many of the animal and bird species known to inhabit the Reserve are listed as threatened and/or migratory under the EPBC Act. Many of the migratory species known to inhabit the Reserve are protected under international agreements. See Appendix B for a list of the threatened and/or migratory species known to inhabit the Reserve.
Part 3 – Management plan for the Reserve
1. Introductory Background
1.1 Proclamation of the Reserve
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve (the Reserve) is a Commonwealth Reserve. It was declared on 16 October 2002 to protect the conservation values of Heard Island and McDonald Islands and their adjacent unique and vulnerable marine ecosystem. The boundaries of the Reserve were expanded on 28 March 2014. The Australian Government’s decision to expand the Reserve followed a comprehensive scientific assessment of a Conservation Zone adjoining the Reserve. The scientific assessment recommended that 6200 square kilometres of the Conservation Zone be added to the Reserve on the basis that its waters were of high conservation value. The Reserve’s area subsequently increased to 71,000 square kilometres.
1.2 Conservation significance of the Reserve
The Reserve possesses values of outstanding international and national conservation significance. It is assigned an IUCN Category 1A Strict Nature Reserve classification.
The Reserve is one of the world’s least anthropogenically disturbed areas. Its terrestrial and marine ecologies and oceanographic conditions are distinct from those of other subantarctic islands. It is the only subantarctic island group that is largely devoid of human introduced species. The Reserve is a crucial breeding habitat for a range of species. Many of these species are listed as threatened and/or migratory under international conservation agreements and the EPBC Act. Two bird species – the Heard Island sheathbill (Chionis minor nasicornis) and Heard Island cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) – are endemic to the Reserve.
The Reserve is the Commonwealth’s largest IUCN Category 1A Strict Nature Reserve. It features diverse and distinctive benthic habitats that support a range of vulnerable corals, sponges, barnacles and echinoderms. Its highly productive nutrient rich waters – created by the confluence of multiple oceanographic fronts, upwellings eddies and gyres – support: prime feeding grounds for cetacean species and land-based marine predators; important nursery areas for fish species; and a diverse range of benthic invertebrates (including corals, sponges, barnacles and echinoderms) (Meyer et al. 2000).
The Reserve’s terrestrial environment exhibits distinctive geographical features. Heard Island’s topography is dominated by the active volcanic cone known as Big Ben which rises to a height of 2745 metres at Mawson Peak (Stephenson et al. 2005). Mawson Peak is Australia’s highest peak outside of the Australian Antarctic Territory. The Reserve possesses cultural heritage ruins and artefacts associated with nineteenth century sealing operations and twentieth century Australian research expeditions.
The key marine conservation values of the Reserve were documented in Conservation of marine habitats in the region of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (Meyer et al. 2000). The conservation values of the Reserve are summarised in the following sections.
International Conservation Significance:
World Heritage – outstanding universal natural heritage values
The Territory was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee on 3 December 1997 on the basis of its outstanding natural universal values. The World Heritage Committee found the Territory met two of the World Heritage natural heritage criteria. The statement of significance given in its World Heritage nomination reads:
HIMI is a unique wilderness, a place of spectacular beauty which contains outstanding examples of biological and physical processes continuing in an essentially undisturbed environment. Significant biological processes include colonisation and speciation, while the island group’s physical processes provide valuable indicators of the role of crustal plates in the formation of ocean basins and continents and of atmospheric and oceanic warming.
Migratory species
The Reserve is an important habitat for several migratory bird and marine mammal species. Many of these species are listed under international agreements for the protection and conservation of migratory species, including: the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention); the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP); the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment (CAMBA); and the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the Protection of Migratory Species and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment (JAMBA).
Migratory bird species known to breed within the Reserve include the wandering albatross, black-browed albatross, southern giant petrel, Wilson’s storm petrel and the light-mantled sooty albatross. Several cetacean species and non-breeding bird species recorded in the Reserve are also listed under these international agreements. A summary of the migratory species recorded in the Reserve is provided in Appendix B.
National Conservation Significance:
Important wetlands
The Territory’s wetlands are listed on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia – a comprehensive inventory of Australia’s nationally important wetlands – for meeting the following criteria: it is a good example of a wetland type occurring within a biogeographic region; it is a wetland that plays an important ecological or hydrological role in the natural functioning of a major wetland system or complex; it is a wetland that provides important habitat for animal taxa at a vulnerable stage in their life cycles; the wetland supports 1% or more of the national population of any native plant or animal taxa; and the wetland supports native plant or animal taxa which are considered important, endangered or vulnerable at the national level.
National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas
The primary objective of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas is to establish and manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas that will contribute to the long-term ecological viability of marine and estuarine systems, maintain ecological processes and systems and protect Australia's biological diversity at all levels. The Reserve's declaration contributes to the protection of Australia’s unique marine biodiversity by ensuring the inclusion of subantarctic waters in the comprehensive and national representative system of marine protected areas.
Natural and cultural heritage
§National Heritage list
The National Heritage List established under the EPBC Act lists Australian places with outstanding heritage value. The HIMI territory was included on the National Heritage List in May 2007 on the basis of its outstanding natural universal values.
§Atlas Cove ANARE station
The Atlas Cove ANARE station site is significant because it bears testimony to the difficulties, remoteness and isolation experienced by the 87 expeditioners who lived there between 1947 and 1955.
§Sealers’ sites
Several sites around the Heard Island coastline exhibit evidence of 19th century sealing operations. These sites include ruins and artefacts, including stone working platforms, hut footings, occupied caves, graves, barrels and work tools (McGowan and Lazer 1989). They are significant because they demonstrate the ingenuity and resolve of the sealing crews and provide insight into the remoteness and isolation that they experienced.
1.3 Previous management plans
This management plan is the third for the HIMI region and the second under the EPBC Act for the Reserve. It replaces the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2005-2012.
1.4 Structure of this management plan
This management plan has been structured in accordance with Parks Australia’s Strategic Planning and Performance Assessment Framework. This management plan has been developed against the following key result areas:
§Natural heritage management (see Section 5)
§Biodiversity science, knowledge management and use (see Section 5)
§Cultural heritage management (see Section 6)
§Use and appreciation of protected areas (see Section 7)
§Stakeholders and partnerships (see Section 8)
§Business management (see Section 9)
The Director has developed outcomes for each of these key result areas. Each section of this management plan contains a list of aims that describe the desired result of Reserve management activities, and a series of prescriptions that provide Reserve management strategies for the fulfilment of these aims.
In addition to annual reporting on the implementation of the management plan’s prescriptions, progress against identified aims shall also be measured periodically (noting, however, the practical limitations that the Reserve’s isolation and uncertainty over the timing of Government visits place on research and monitoring).
2. Introductory provisions
2.1 Short title
This management plan may be cited as the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan.
2.2 Commencement and termination
This management plan will enter operation following approval by the Minister under s.370 of the EPBC Act on the day after it is registered under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 or on a later date specified in the Minister’s approval.
2.3 Interpretation (including acronyms)
In this management plan, unless the contrary intention appears:
AAD means the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment.
AFMA means the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
Approved purpose means scientific research, environmental monitoring, Reserve management and other purposes consistent with this management plan and Australian IUCN reserve management principles.
Australian Government means the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Authorised official means:
(a) an authorised officer for the purposes of the EPBC Act;
(b) an inspector appointed under the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Environment Protection and Management Ordinance 1987;
(c) an inspector for the purposes of the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act 1981;
(d) a special constable for the purposes of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Criminal Procedure Ordinance 1993;
(e) an officer for the purposes of the Fisheries Management Act 1991; or
(f) a person authorised in writing by the Director for the purposes of this management plan.
CAMBA means the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment.
CAMLR Convention means the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
CCAMLR means the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources established under Article VII of the CAMLR Convention.
Cetacean means whale, dolphin and porpoise species.
Commonwealth reserve means a reserve declared under Division 4 of Part 15 of the EPBC Act.
Director means the Director of National Parks under s.514A of the EPBC Act and includes Parks Australia and any person to whom the Director has delegated powers and functions under the EPBC Act in relation to the Reserve, and including any agency that succeeds to the functions of the Director.
Ecological character, when used in relation to a wetland, means the sum of the biological, physical, and chemical components of the wetland ecosystem, and their interactions, which maintain the wetland and its products, functions, and attributes.
Environment has the meaning given in s.528 of the EPBC Act, and includes:
(a) ecosystems and their constituent parts, including people and communities;
(b) natural and physical resources;
(c) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas;
(d) heritage values of places; and
(e) the social, economic and cultural aspects of a thing mentioned in (a), (b) or (c).
Environmental damage includes disturbance of wildlife, damage to vegetation, burrows, wallows, nesting areas and wildlife corridors, wetlands, water bodies and catchments, sensitive geological features, research sites and cultural heritage sites.
EPMO means the Environment Protection and Management Ordinance 1987 (HIMI) made under the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953.
EPBC Act means the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and includes reference to any Act amending, repealing or replacing the EPBC Act.
EPBC Regulations means the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 and includes reference to any regulations amending, repealing or replacing the EPBC Regulations.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) means the Exclusive Economic Zone declared under the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973, and in relation to HIMI commences at the outer limit of the territorial sea (12 nautical miles from the territorial sea baselines established under the Act) and extends to 200 nautical miles from the baselines except where it is less to take account of the treaty line defined by the Maritime Delineation Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic.
Facility means something that is built, installed or established in the Reserve, including structures to be used for accommodation, scientific equipment and communications equipment.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve means the areas declared as a Commonwealth reserve by that name under the EPBC Act on 16 October 2002 and amended on 28 March 2014.
HIMI means Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
HIMI Territory Administration (or Administration) means the part of the Australian Government agency with responsibility for administration of the HIMI Territory. At the time of this management plan’s preparation, that agency was the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment.
Issuer of a permit means the person deciding whether to issue a permit under the EPBC Regulations or the EPMO.
IUCN means the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
JAMBA means the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment.
MARPOL means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978.
Mining operations means mining operations as defined by s.355 of the EPBC Act.
Minister means the Minister administering the EPBC Act or the EPMO.
NRSMPA means the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas.
Parks Australia means the Director of National Parks and the agency that assists the Director in performing the Director’s functions under the EPBC Act. At the time of this management plan’s preparation, the agency assisting the Director is the Parks Australia Division of the Australian Government’s Department of the Environment.
Reproductive material means seeds, spores, cuttings or any other part, or product of a plant, from which another plant could be produced; and embryos, eggs, sperm or any other part, or product of an animal, from which another animal could be produced.
Reserve means the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve.
Reserve management principles means the Australian IUCN reserve management principles set out in Schedule 8 of the EPBC Regulations.
Territorial sea means the water surrounding Heard Island and McDonald Islands to a distance offshore of 12 nautical miles.
The Territory means the Australian external Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and includes the territorial sea.
World Heritage Convention means the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
3. IUCN category and zoning
Performance indicator
§The degree to which the Reserve is managed in accordance with this management plan (as determined by section 9.4 Management plan implementation and evaluation).
Our aim
§The Reserve is managed in accordance with an IUCN categorisation and zoning scheme that provides for its appropriate use and protection.
Background
The categorisation and zoning scheme takes into account the requirements of the EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations, including reserve management principles, regional conservation strategies for the conservation of biodiversity through the maintenance of habitat corridors and water quality, the protection of endangered species and habitat and the conservation of the marine environment.
A management plan must assign a Commonwealth reserve to an IUCN protected area category. The categories are prescribed by the EPBC Regulations and correspond with the protected area categories identified by the IUCN.
The EPBC Act also allows a management plan to divide a Reserve into specific zones. Each of these specific zones must be assigned an IUCN category. The IUCN category of each of these specific zones may differ from the Reserve’s overall IUCN category.
Issues
§An appropriate level of protection needs to be assigned to each zone identified within the Reserve.
Prescriptions
Policies
3.1.1 The Reserve is assigned the IUCN Category 1a (Strict Nature Reserve) categorisation. It will be managed in accordance with the IUCN Category 1a Strict Nature Reserve management principles set out in Schedule 8 of the EPBC Regulations.
3.1.2 The Reserve is divided into seven management zones:
(a)Main Use Zones
Main Use Zones are located at Atlas Cove and Spit Bay. They provide access points to the Reserve, locations for the potential establishment of facilities, locations for the potential establishment of field encampments and locations at which to undertake higher-impact and longer-term activities (see section 7.2 Access and transport and 7.3 Management of facilities).
The Atlas Cove Main Use Zone comprises the land area within the outer boundaries described below, except for the Heritage Zone as defined in (c). Commencing at the sign post at 53°01’10”S, 73°23’42”E, the Atlas Cove Main Use Zone boundary proceeds in a straight line south-west to the low water mark of Atlas Cove (53°01’14”S, 73°23’33”E), follows the high water mark generally northwards to Wharf Point (53°01’11”S, 73°23’26”E) then generally north-east along the south-eastern extent of the vegetation on Azorella Peninsula (the southern boundary of the Restricted Zone) until the point where the vegetation limit intersects the edge of the Azorella Peninsula lava flow (approx. 53°01’01”S, 73°23’41”E), before tending southwards along the western limit of the lava flow to the point of commencement (see Figure 4). The Spit Bay Main Use Zone comprises all the land area within a 150 metre radius centred on the large rock at 53°06’26”S and 73°43’14”E (see Figure 5).
(b)Visitor Access Zones
Visitor Access Zones are located at Atlas Cove, Long Beach and Spit Bay. They provide locations for lower-impact, shorter-term visitor activities. Visitor Access Zones can provide comparatively safe landing sites in good weather and sea conditions. Located around Heard Island’s coastline, they increase the opportunity for visitor landings which are often impeded by severe weather and sea conditions or inflexible voyage itineraries. They facilitate access to a range of attractions and features including heritage sites, extensively vegetated areas, wildlife colonies and unique landscape features. Only lower impact access (i.e. vessel beach landings or helicopter landings at designated points) and lower-impact activities (i.e. walking, photography and wildlife observation) are allowed in Visitor Access Zones (see section 7.1 Management of commercial and other non-government actions and section 7.2 Access and transport).
The Atlas Cove Visitor Access Zone - located at the north-western end of Heard Island - comprises the low-lying shingle and sandy areas of The Nullarbor, and is bound to the west by Atlas Cove, to the north by the Azorella Peninsula Restricted Zone and Atlas Cove Main Use Zone, to the east by Corinthian Bay and the base of the Baudissin Glacier moraine, and to the south by the vegetation at the foot of Mount Drygalski. The Atlas Cove Visitor Access Zone also includes:
§an area with a 50 metre radius surrounding sealers’ huts and relics on the Azorella Peninsula lava flow adjacent to the north-eastern corner of The Nullarbor (53°01’08”S, 73°24’30”E);
§a coastal walking route extending to the flanks of Mount Aubert de la Rue on the western side of Atlas Cove (53°01’27”S, 73°22’50”E);
§a coastal walking route extending 500 metres from Wharf Point north along the western shore of Azorella Peninsula (53°00’56”S, 73°23’14”E) (see Figure 4); and
§an unspecified walking route from the Atlas Cove Main Use Zone to an access area with a 10 metre radius around the memorial cross at 53°01’05”S, 73°23’29”E, approximately 65 metres from the closest point on the north-western boundary of the Atlas Cove Main Use Zone. Access to the memorial cross will only be allowed if it can be achieved without causing environmental damage, and must be via the most direct suitable route.
The Spit Bay Visitor Access Zone, at the south-eastern end of Heard Island, comprises a triangular area with sides around two kilometres in length located between Elephant Spit and the eastern-most part of the island proper, plus two narrow coastal strips approximately one kilometre in length extending to the north-west and south-west from this triangular area. The north-west coastal strip ends where Stephenson Lagoon meets the sea (approx. 53°06’19”S, 73°43’04”E). The south-west coastal strip runs along Sealers Beach and ends at the coast adjacent to the north-eastern end of the unnamed lagoon to the north-east of Doppler Hill (53°08’00”S, 73°43’51”E). The eastern limit of the Zone, on Elephant Spit, is approximately two kilometres from the centre of the Spit Bay Main Use Zone at 73°46’17”E (see Figure 5).
The Long Beach Visitor Access Zone, located on the central southern coast of Heard Island, comprises a narrow coastal strip of beach extending from 50 metres west of the sealers’ hut ruins near Cape Labuan (53°11’40.5”S, 73°29’58.5”E), and approximately two kilometres east to the end of Long Beach where the beach joins a set of low lava cliffs (53°11’11”S, 73°31’16”E) (see Figure 6).
(c)Heritage Zone
The Heritage Zone is located within the Atlas Cove Main Use Zone. It encompasses the site of the former ANARE Atlas Cove Station and pre-ANARE buildings on the western side of Ephemeral Creek. It is bound to the north-west by the southern limit of the Azorella Peninsula Restricted Zone, then by a ten metre buffer north-east of the remains of the Seal Pen/Tractor/Clothing Store, east of the remains of Chippy’s Church/the Carpenter’s Store, south of the remains of the Biology Lab, south-west of the remains of Biology Lab/Meteorology and Wireless Hut, and west of the remains of the Meteorology and Wireless Hut/Dogkeeper and Cosmic Ray Hut (see Figure 4).
Severe winds and persistent dampness have hastened the disintegration of the station buildings. The resultant fragments have formed a large debris field across the Heritage Zone. This debris field degrades the wilderness qualities of the Reserve and may pose harm risks to visitors and wildlife.
A scientific analysis of building fragments collected by the AAD in November 2012 established the presence of asbestos in the Heritage Zone. In the interests of health and safety, access to the Heritage Zone is now strictly controlled. Access to the Heritage Zone will only be granted to persons undertaking management tasks specific to the Heritage Zone.
(d)Wilderness Zone
The Wilderness Zone comprises land not included in the Main Use, Visitor Access, Heritage or Restricted Zones (see Figure 3). It manages human activities in the Reserve’s relatively undisturbed terrestrial areas. Activities that pose longer-term impacts upon the Reserve’s natural values – including the establishment of permanent or semi-permanent facilities – will not be permitted within the Wilderness Zone. Access will generally be restricted to scientific research, environmental monitoring and management activities (section 7.2 Access and transport and section 7.3 Management of facilities).
Note: The term ‘wilderness’ is used here as a general descriptor and is not intended to refer to the IUCN category of Wilderness Area; each management zone is assigned to the IUCN Category 1a (Strict Nature Reserve) category (see 3.1.3).
(e)Restricted Zones
The Restricted Zones comprise areas that possess natural values that are particularly sensitive to human impacts and/or pose specific additional hazards to human health and safety. Access to the Restricted Zones will be strictly controlled (section 7.2 Access and transport and section 7.3 Management of facilities). The Restricted Zones comprise: the area north of the southernmost extent of the vegetation or the lava flow on Azorella Peninsula (i.e. the northern boundaries of the Atlas Cove Main Use Zone and the Atlas Cove Visitor Access Zone) (see Figure 3 and Figure 4); the McDonald Islands; Sail Rock; Shag Rock; and Drury Rock.
Azorella Peninsula is a particularly hazardous and environmentally sensitive area. It contains sinkholes and lava tubes. The entrances to some of these features are highly unstable and the ceilings of the very shallow lava tubes are susceptible to collapse. Its vegetation is vulnerable to human impacts and it possesses a significant number of nesting sites for South Georgian diving petrels and Antarctic prions.
The coastlines of the McDonald Islands are precipitous and rugged and provide a natural barrier to sea-borne landings. Very few landings have been made on the McDonald Islands.
(f)Inner Marine Zone
The Inner Marine Zone is the marine area that extends from the high tide mark to the 12 nautical mile boundary of the Territory’s territorial sea. Activities in the Inner Marine Zone are managed to protect the Reserve’s coastal environments and near shore wildlife foraging areas (see section 5.3 Waste management and section 7.2 Access and transport).
(g)Outer Marine Zone
The Outer Marine Zone is the marine area that extends beyond the Inner Marine Zone to the Reserve’s boundary. Given the Outer Marine Zone is a greater distance from the Reserve’s islands than the Inner Marine Zone, the management of human activities in the Outer Marine Zone is comparatively less strict than in the Inner Marine Zone. A vessel will not need a permit to enter and pass through the Outer Marine Zone (see section 5.3 Waste management and section 7.2 Access and transport).
3.1.3 Each of the Reserve’s management zones are assigned to the IUCN Category 1a (Strict Nature Reserve) categorisation.
3.1.4 Activities undertaken within a specific zone must be compatible with the management purposes of that zone.
3.1.5 The zoning scheme does not prevent the Director from closing areas or restricting activities in the Reserve in the future, as provided under the EPBC Regulations.
3.1.6 The lava tubes and caves within the Azorella Peninsula Restricted Zone may only be accessed for research or management purposes in accordance with a permit issued under the EPMO that specifically authorises such access.
3.1.7 Access to the Heritage Zone will only be granted to persons undertaking Heritage Zone-specific management tasks.
Actions
3.1.8 The Director will monitor and review the effectiveness of the Reserve’s zoning system during the life of this management plan. In accordance with the requirements of the EPBC Act and the provisions of this management plan, the Director may adjust management approaches to improve conservation outcomes in the Reserve.
3.1.9 The Director will investigate ways to manage any safety risks posed by asbestos containing material and other debris in the Heritage Zone.
Figure 2. HIMI territorial and marine boundaries
Figure 3. HIMI Reserve management zones
Figure 4. Atlas Cove zones
Figure 5. Spit Bay zones
Figure 6. Long Beach zones
4. Assessment and approval of activities
Performance indicators
§The maintenance and implementation of effective activity assessment procedures.
§The consistent application of effective conditions upon activities.
Our aims
§The accurate assessment of the potential impacts of proposed activities upon the Reserve’s values.
§The application of necessary conditions upon approved activities to facilitate the ongoing protection of the Reserve’s values and environment.
§The application of necessary conditions upon approved activities to facilitate the safety of persons, aircraft, vehicles and vessels in the Territory.
Background
This management plan, the EPBC Act and the EPMO collectively aim to protect and manage the nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities, geomorphological features and heritage places of the Reserve.
The EPMO also aims to protect the safety of persons, aircraft, vehicles and vessels in the Territory.
To fulfil these aims, proposed activities are subject to assessment and approval processes. Assessments are undertaken to facilitate:
§the evaluation of proposed activities’ likely effects;
§the location of alternative activities or mitigation measures to reduce actual and potential impacts; and
§suitable outcomes for the Reserve and the proponent.
Proponents of proposed activities must complete an AAD prescribed application form. This form is available from the AAD. Its purpose is to facilitate:
(i) an accurate assessment of a proposed activity’s likely impacts; and
(ii) the identification of effective mitigation measures to reduce the actual and potential impacts of a proposed activity.
Access to, and activities within the Territory will be managed and regulated in accordance with this management plan primarily through the EPMO. The EPMO provides that a person may only enter the Territory in accordance with a permit, except during the course of an emergency or through the performance of the duties of an inspector appointed under the EPMO. The EPMO also prohibits or regulates specific activities (see sections 12, 13 and 14).
In deciding whether to issue a permit under the EPMO, and in deciding the conditions on which a permit will be issued, consideration will be given to the prescriptions in this management plan and to the need to protect the Territory’s values and environment, and the safety of persons, aircraft, vehicles and vessels within the Territory.
This management plan provides that an activity that is otherwise prohibited by ss.354 or 354A of the EPBC Act, or the EPBC Regulations, may be carried on in the Territory if authorised and undertaken in accordance with an EPMO permit.
Activities in the Outer Marine Zone will be managed and regulated in accordance with this management plan primarily through the EPBC Regulations. Entry into the Outer Marine Zone does not require a permit, however certain activities as specified in Part 12 of the EPBC Regulations are managed and regulated under permits (such as scientific research, r.12.10). However, access to all or part of that zone may be prohibited under EPBC Regulation 12.23, or the conduct of an activity or class of activities may be prohibited under regulation 12.23A.
EPBC Regulation 12.23 provides that the Director may prohibit or restrict entry to the Reserve at all times, at specified times or for a specified period, by persons generally or by a class of persons. Notice of such prohibition or restriction must be published in the Gazette. Such a notice will also be published on the HIMI public website. Contravention of a prohibition or restriction is an offence. At the time of this management plan’s preparation, a prohibition has been imposed under subregulation 12.23(3) to prohibit entry to the Territory and its territorial sea by all persons except for officers, servants and agents of the Commonwealth acting in the course of their duties, persons authorised in accordance with subsection 12(2) of the EPMO, and persons authorised by the Director of National Parks.
In deciding whether to issue a permit under the EPBC Regulations, and in deciding the conditions on which the permit will be issued, consideration will be give to the prescriptions in this management plan and to the requirements stipulated in the EPBC Regulations.
Proposed activities that are likely to have a significant impact on a Matter of National Environmental Significance are subject to the referral, assessment and approval provisions of Chapters 2 to 4 of the EPBC Act.
Prescriptions
Policies
4.1 To facilitate compliance with this management plan, a proponent of an activity in the Reserve must complete and submit the AAD prescribed application form.
4.2 All approved activities within the Reserve must comply with this management plan.
4.3 All proposed commercial, recreation and tourism activities in the Reserve will be managed in accordance with this management plan, the Australian IUCN Category 1a management principles, the EPMO, EPBC Act and EPBC Regulations except where exempted by this management plan (see 9.1 Compliance and enforcement and 9.2 Incident management).
4.4 An EPMO permit will only be issued to authorise a proposed activity within the Territory when the issuer of the permit:
a)is satisfied that the activity, either as proposed or with certain modifications, has been assessed as being consistent with this management plan;
b)has considered the need to protect the environment of the Territory; and
c)has considered the safety of persons, aircraft, vehicles and vessels in the Territory.
4.5 Permits issued under the EPMO and EPBC Regulations will contain conditions requiring compliance with this management plan. Permits may also include additional conditions that the issuer considers appropriate for the protection of the Reserve.
4.6 Proposed activities that are likely to have a significant impact on a Matter of National Environmental Significance will be subject to the assessment and approval provisions of Chapters 2 to 4 of the EPBC Act.
4.7 An activity that is otherwise prohibited by ss.354 or 354A of the EPBC Act, or the EPBC Regulations, may be undertaken in the Territory if authorised by and undertaken in accordance with an EPMO permit.
4.8 Proponents must satisfy the permit issuer that they have adequately assessed and addressed all safety and public liability issues associated with their proposed activity.
4.9 Proponents must satisfy the permit issuer that their proposed activity is consistent with this management plan and IUCN Category 1a Strict Nature Reserve principles.
4.10 The Director may require an organiser or leader of an activity to attend pre-departure planning or briefing sessions conducted by the AAD.
Actions
4.11 The Director will take reasonable steps to provide intending visitors with appropriate briefings that detail the requirements of this management plan.
4.12 The Director will provide information to assist proponents’ understanding of the management plan’s assessment and approval processes.
4.13 The Director will encourage proponent consultation in the early stages of activity planning.
5. Natural heritage management
Performance indicators
§The protection of the Reserve’s landscape and terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
§The prevention, identification and management of non-native species and diseases.
5.1 Terrestrial and marine ecosystems and landscape
Our aim
§To protect the Reserve’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems and landscape.
Background
Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands are unique amongst subantarctic islands in that they possess substantively intact ecosystems. The Reserve’s flora and fauna composition has been shaped by its extreme geographic isolation, geological compositions, extensive ice coverage, cold temperatures, and persistent precipitation. The Reserve’s ecosystems possess a low level of fauna and flora diversity. Several species that inhabit the Reserve are designated as listed, threatened and/or migratory species under the EPBC Act (see Appendix B). Most of the Reserve’s flora and fauna inhabit low-lying coastal areas. Given low-lying coastal areas are also the principal locations for the conduct of human activities, they are more susceptible to human impacts.
The Reserve is a declared IUCN Category 1a Strict Nature Reserve. Fishing activities may pose unacceptable risks to the Reserve’s marine ecosystem. Accordingly, all fishing activities will be prohibited in the Reserve unless undertaken for scientific research or management purposes in accordance with section 5.5 Research and monitoring. Although protected from harvesting within the Reserve, some fish species are targeted by authorised commercial fishing operators in the adjoining EEZ.
Several legislative provisions exist to protect the Reserve’s ecosystems. The EPBC Act provides for the control of access to biological resources in Commonwealth areas (the Reserve is a Commonwealth area). The relevant provisions are in Part 8A of the EPBC Regulations (see Appendix A Legislative and policy contexts).
The EPMO provides that, unless authorised by a permit, a person must not bring any organism into the Territory, take any organism in the Territory, remove from the Territory any organism indigenous to the Territory, or engage in conduct that results in a living organism that has been introduced to the Territory escaping in the Territory.
Sections 354 and 354A of the EPBC Act provides that a person must not kill, injure, take, trade, keep or move a member of a native species in the Reserve except in accordance with this management plan.
Section 229 of the EPBC Act generally provides that it is an offence to kill or injure a cetacean in the Australian Whale Sanctuary, which includes the waters of the Reserve. Part 8 of the EPBC Regulations details separation distances and guidelines for aircraft and vessels approaching cetaceans.
Part 13 of the EPBC Act contains provisions that prohibit and regulate actions taken in Commonwealth areas in relation to listed threatened species and ecological communities, listed migratory species, cetaceans and listed marine species.
Section 268 of the EPBC Act provides that a Commonwealth agency must not contravene recovery plans and threat abatement plans for listed threatened species and ecological communities. Section 269 requires the Commonwealth to implement such plans to the extent to which they apply in Commonwealth areas.
Landscape
Heard Island and the McDonald Islands are surface exposures of the Kerguelen Plateau. Heard Island’s topography is dominated by the active volcanic cone known as Big Ben which rises to a height of 2745 metres at Mawson Peak (Stephenson et al. 2005). Mawson Peak is Australia’s highest peak outside of the Australian Antarctic Territory. Other volcanic features include scoria, cinder cones, craters, domes, open vertical volcanic conduits, lava flows and lava tubes. Approximately 70% of Heard Island’s 367 square kilometre area is glaciated (Ruddell 2005). Heard Island’s coastal perimeter is marked by low growing wetland flora and coastal lagoons. McDonald Island’s landscape is devoid of permanent ice and possesses considerably less flora than Heard Island.
The Reserve is an IUCN Category 1a Strict Nature Reserve. Mining operations – including petroleum or mineral exploration or extraction – may pose unacceptable harm risks to the Reserve’s landscape and terrestrial ecosystem. The EPBC Act’s definition of mining operations includes all activities associated with petroleum and mineral exploration and recovery. Sections 355 and 355A of the EPBC Act prohibit mining operations in Commonwealth reserves unless they are carried out in accordance with a management plan. Furthermore, the EPMO provides that a person must not engage in conduct that results in interference to any soil or other geological matter in the Territory or remove any soil or other geological matter from the Territory.
This management plan prohibits mining operations in the Reserve other than minor extractions for non-commercial scientific research purposes under strict permit conditions and as provided for in section 5.5 Research and monitoring.
Note: this section should be read in conjunction with section 5.2 Climate change.
Issues
§The identification, prevention and monitoring of threats to the Reserve’s ecosystems are priorities.
§There is a need to reduce the likelihood of new invasive species arriving and establishing in the Reserve.
§The current population status of some native species is not known. Other native species are known to be in decline but the reasons for their decline are not known.
§The effects of climate change may not be controllable or mitigated to the extent necessary to retain the Reserve’s existing natural values.
Prescriptions
Policies
5.1.1No mining operations – including petroleum or mineral exploration or extraction – will be carried out in the Reserve, other than minor extractions for non-commercial scientific research purposes under strict permit conditions and as provided for in section 5.5 Research and monitoring.
5.1.2No fishing activities will be carried out in the Reserve, other than minor take for scientific research purposes and under strict permit conditions and as provided for in section 5.5 Research and monitoring.
5.1.3Activities that involve the killing, injuring, taking, trading, keeping or moving of a member of a native species of flora or fauna in the Reserve may only be carried out:
(a)insofar as they are necessary for scientific research or Reserve management objectives; and
(b)in accordance with a permit issued under the EPMO in respect of activities in the Territory or under the EPBC Regulations in respect of activities in the Outer Marine Zone.
5.1.4 The Director may take actions (including actions covered by ss.354 and 354A of the EPBC Act) reasonably required to implement and comply with relevant recovery plans and threat abatement plans to the extent to which they apply in the Reserve, provided that any such actions are undertaken in accordance with this management plan. Notwithstanding any other prescription in this management plan, the Director will not issue permits for actions that would contravene a relevant recovery plan or threat abatement plan.
5.1.5 If EPBC Act listed endemic or otherwise threatened or significant species in the Reserve are in decline to a level that may threaten their conservation status, the Director will:
(a)assess the likelihood of mitigating known threats and, if feasible, implement threat mitigation strategies;
(b)if threats are not known, seek to determine (so far as possible) the threats and appropriate mitigation measures; and
(c)if threats are not known or not likely to be mitigated for some time, assess the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing interventionist programs that have the long-term aim of conserving the species in their natural environment.
5.1.6 Disturbance to flora and fauna by Reserve visitors will be minimised by maintaining and enforcing strict controls:
(a)on human access and activities (see prescriptions in section 5.5 Research and monitoring, section 7.1 Management of commercial and other non-government actions and section 7.2 Access and transport);
(b)on the establishment and management of facilities (see prescriptions in section 7.3 Management of facilities); and
(c)to prevent deliberate or accidental introductions of alien species or disease by a human agency and to manage any such introductions (see prescriptions in section 5.4 Prevention and management of non-native species and diseases).
5.1.7Permits to authorise research in the Reserve involving living fish, birds and mammals will only be issued where the work will use and comply with humane practices approved by an appropriate animal ethics committee.
Actions
5.1.8 The Director will continue to liaise as required with conservation groups, the fishing industry and relevant Government agencies to assist the implementation of initiatives that address wildlife conservation issues in the adjacent HIMI fishery.
5.1.9 The Director will monitor and assess potential threats to the Reserve’s native species.
5.1.10 Where a new non-native species is detected in the Reserve, and its introduction was probably the consequence of human visitation, the Director will assess its potential impact and, where feasible, organise its control or eradication.
5.1.11 Information provided to intending visitors by the Director will address the Reserve’s flora and fauna and relevant protective measures (see section 7.1.9 and 7.1.19).
5.2 Climate change
Our aim
§Reserve management approaches that incorporate new information about climate change.
Background
Climate change has emerged as a key issue for biodiversity and environmental management. The effects of climate change are apparent in the Reserve. Increased warming has led to glacial retreat (Thost and Truffer 2007), changes in weather patterns (Thost and Allison 2005, Allison and Keage 1986) and the formation of lagoons and freshwater lakes. The Reserve’s ecosystems and landscape are vulnerable to further climate change impacts, including: sea level rise; changes to ocean water chemistry; increases in sea surface temperature; and the arrival and establishment of invasive species (Australian National University 2009). Possessing largely intact ecosystems and being relatively devoid of anthropogenic disturbance, the Reserve is an excellent indicator of climate change (see Section 5.5 Research and monitoring). The impact of climate change can be lessened by ensuring that the existing threats to the Reserve’s values are appropriately monitored and managed.
Issues
§Climate change is likely to affect many aspects of the Reserve, including its:
-physical landscape (i.e. glacial retreat and the formation of lagoons and freshwater lakes);
-biodiversity (i.e. changes in distribution and abundance of flora and fauna and an increased risk of the arrival and establishment of invasive species); and
-cultural values (i.e. exposure or immersion of low-lying cultural heritage sites).
§Current expert information is needed to assess the impacts and risks of climate change.
§Adequate resources are required to implement possible climate change strategies.
§Management of the Reserve needs to be adaptive to respond to new information on potential impacts.
Prescriptions
Policies
5.2.1 If parts of the Reserve are changing in ways that are of concern to the Director, the Director will decide on further monitoring requirements, and whether protective, rehabilitation or adaptation measures are feasible. If cost effective and logistically feasible, appropriate responses and actions will be implemented.
Actions
5.2.2 Where practicable, the Director will identify priorities for and support further research into the impacts of climate change, and use this information to explore climate change adaption strategies for the Reserve (see Section 5.5 Research and monitoring).
5.2.3 Where practicable, the Director will undertake non-native species monitoring and control programs to maximise the resilience of the Reserve’s native species and habitats.
5.3 Waste management
Our aim
§To prevent and minimise the impacts of waste on the Reserve’s values.
Background
Waste generated by human activities may have a deleterious impact upon the Reserve’s values.
Impacts upon fauna, including waste ingestion or entanglement and disease introduction, are of key concern. Marine and terrestrial species that inhabit the coastal areas of the Reserve are susceptible to marine pollution events.
There are no facilities for the containment, treatment or disposal of waste in the Reserve. All visits to the Reserve must be planned to minimise the use of any materials or items that have the potential to become waste (e.g. excess packaging). Logistical and support arrangements must also be planned to facilitate the effective management, storage and removal of wastes.
A proposed activity that involves the creation of waste that cannot be removed upon departure from the Reserve is unlikely to be permitted.
Major waste removal operations were undertaken in 2000/01. Most of the remaining structures at the Atlas Cove ANARE Station site were dismantled and returned to mainland Australia. Further waste removal operations were conducted in 2003/04. However, some waste and artefacts remain at the Atlas Cove ANARE station site. Continual erosion and soil displacement exposes further items over time. Such items may present a hazard to wildlife and human visitors. They may also degrade the wilderness qualities of the Reserve if they are dispersed by the wind. Some of these items may require assessment and handling in accordance with the cultural heritage management provisions of this management plan (see section 6 Cultural heritage management).
Sewage waste generated by small land-based parties and some small vessels meeting specific criteria may be disposed of in the territorial sea where it will be rapidly dispersed by wave action. In the EEZ surrounding the Reserve, relevant vessels must comply with the requirements of the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 and MARPOL. Outside the territorial sea, waste must be treated in accordance with MARPOL Special Area prescriptions.
Under the EPMO a person must not leave any equipment, material or refuse in the Territory, except in accordance with a permit issued under that Ordinance.
EPBC Regulations 12.14 and 12.14A generally provide that it is an offence to discharge, dispose or release certain wastes or substances in a Commonwealth Reserve. Regulation 12.14B(1) provides that the Director may approve or provide an area or receptacle where certain wastes or substances may be discharged, disposed or released. At the time of this management plan’s preparation, the Director has not determined any area or receptacle under regulation 12.14B(1) that may be used for the discharge, disposal or release of certain wastes or substances.
Regulations 12.14 and 12.14A do not apply to activities which are provided for and carried out in accordance with this management plan, or are authorised by a permit issued under those Regulations, or under other conditions (r.12.06).
Prescriptions
Policies
5.3.1 Permits to enter the Territory will require compliance with the waste management requirements of this management plan. Additional conditions reasonably necessary to prevent and minimise the environmental impacts of waste on the Reserve’s values may be included on permits.
5.3.2 Wastes will be removed from Reserve land.
5.3.3 No ballast water may be discharged or exchanged in the Inner Marine Zone.
5.3.4 Ballast water may be discharged or exchanged in the Outer Marine Zone subject to compliance with:
a) the Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements;
b) any relevant legislation or international agreements relating to ballast water management; and
c) any relevant restrictions and determinations made by the Director under this management plan.
5.3.5 Oil, oily mixtures, sludge or tank washing water must not be discharged from a vessel in the Inner Marine Zone or Outer Marine Zone.
5.3.6 In the Inner Marine Zone the only wastes that may be discharged from a vessel are washing water and human wastes from a vessel that:
(a) is certified to carry ten people or less; and
(b) does not contain a functional storage tank of a kind designed for the storage of human waste.
5.3.7 In the Outer Marine Zone the only wastes that may be discharged from a vessel are:
(a) human waste from a holding tank discharged at a moderate rate (not instantaneously) while the vessel is underway at a speed of not less than 4 knots;
(b) food scraps which have been macerated to a size of 25 millimetres or smaller (provided such food scraps do not contain any plastics); and
(c) liquid substances, chemicals or any other substance in a quantity or concentration that will not have a significant adverse impact on the marine environment.
5.3.8 Visitors to the Reserve must minimise their use of packaging and wrapping material.
5.3.9 Only detergents which are fully biodegradable and low in phosphates may be used in the Reserve.
5.3.10 Polystyrene beads and similar particulate material must not be taken into the Reserve.
5.3.11 No chemically treated human wastes may be disposed of on land in the Reserve.
Actions
5.3.12 The Director will arrange for the provision of briefings to intending visitors that convey information regarding waste management requirements (see prescriptions 7.1.9, 7.1.15 and 7.1.19).
5.3.13 All wastes generated on land in the Reserve will be securely stored for removal upon departure from land, other than the types of wastes referred to in prescriptions 5.3.15 – 5.3.17.
5.3.14 Persons going ashore for day trips will return all wastes they generate, including solid human wastes, to a support vessel.
5.3.15 Where the storage and removal of human waste generated ashore during extended activities is not logistically practicable, the Director may authorise:
(a) the incineration of human wastes in accordance with prescription 5.3.17;
(b) the disposal of human wastes below the high water mark at a site where conditions exist for rapid marine dispersal and which is as far away as practicable from concentrations of fauna; or
(c) where the disposal of human wastes below the high water mark is impractical for inland sites, such wastes must be disposed of in a way that minimises impacts on fauna, water bodies and flora (e.g. by burial or disposal into a large rapidly flowing stream with unimpeded access to the sea).
5.3.16 Washing water may be disposed of below the high water mark provided reasonable efforts have been made to remove food matter prior to disposal. Such food matter must be handled in accordance with prescriptions 5.3.13 or 5.3.17.
5.3.17 Where authorised by a permit, food wastes, human wastes and non-toxic combustibles generated during extended activities ashore may be incinerated using methods that will prevent the dispersal of material or ash. All ash and residue of unburnt materials must be removed upon departure from the Territory.
5.3.18 Food and food wastes must be secured and contained at all times to prevent leakage, dispersal and foraging by fauna.
5.3.19 A description of the type and amount of any waste (other than human waste and washing water) that cannot be retrieved and removed from land at the end of a visit due to weather conditions or other mitigating circumstances must be recorded and reported to the Director. Any such waste left in the Reserve for later retrieval or disposal must be securely stored and removed at the first opportunity.
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling was initially developed to conserve whale stocks for the orderly development of the whaling industry. It now provides for the complete protection of specific species, the promotion of relevant research and the designation of whale sanctuaries. The Reserve is located within the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. Australia has declared its entire EEZ (including that around HIMI) a whale sanctuary under the EPBC Act. Appendix B lists cetacean species recorded in the Reserve at the time of this management plan’s preparation.
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)
ACAP aims to achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status for albatrosses and petrels. To do this it coordinates international activities to mitigate known threats to albatross and petrel populations. Appendix B lists albatross and petrel species recorded in the Reserve at the time of this management plan’s preparation.
Convention on Biological Diversity (the Biodiversity Convention)
The Biodiversity Convention requires parties to pursue the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components. The establishment of the Reserve has aided Australia’s fulfilment of its convention obligations and its commitments under the Jakarta Mandate on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
CITES aims to ensure that the international trade of wild fauna and flora specimens does not threaten the survival of the species from which they are derived. It places controls on the international trade of specimens from certain species. At the time of this management plan’s preparation, several marine mammal species found in the Reserve were listed under CITES Annex II.
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention)
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. Parties to this convention work together to conserve migratory species and their habitats. Species that are listed under the above migratory agreements and conventions are listed species under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Appendix B lists migratory species recorded in the Reserve that were covered by the Bonn Convention at the time of this management plan’s preparation.
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their Environment (CAMBA)
CAMBA provides for Australian and Chinese cooperation on the protection of migratory birds listed in the annex to the agreement and their environment. It requires each country to take appropriate measures to preserve and enhance the environment of migratory birds. Appendix B lists the migratory species found in the Reserve that were covered by CAMBA at the time of this management plan’s preparation.
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment (JAMBA)
JAMBA provides for Australian and Japanese cooperation on the protection of migratory birds, birds in danger of extinction and the management and protection of their environments. It requires both countries to take appropriate measures to preserve and enhance the environment of birds protected under the provisions of the agreement. Appendix B lists the migratory species found in the Reserve that were covered by JAMBA at the time of this management plan’s preparation.
Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic on Cooperation in the Maritime Areas adjacent to the French Southern and Antarctic Territories (TAAF), Heard Island and the McDonald Islands
This treaty aims to facilitate Australian and French cooperation in the maritime areas adjacent to TAAF and HIMI. It provides a framework for cooperative surveillance operations against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and encourages scientific research on marine living resources.
Agreement on Cooperative Enforcement of Fisheries Laws between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic in the Maritime Areas adjacent to the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands
This agreement facilitates cooperative Australian and French enforcement actions against IUU vessels operating in the maritime areas adjacent to TAAF and HIMI. It provides for joint surveillance, enforcement missions and mutual assistance.
A.6 – National agreements and strategies
Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas
The declaration of the Macquarie Island Marine Park on 27 October 1999 and the Reserve on 16 October 2002 contributes to Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas, which was agreed by all governments of Australia in 1998.
The primary goals of the NRSMPA are: the establishment and management of a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas that will contribute to the long-term ecological viability of marine and estuarine systems; the maintenance of ecological processes and systems; and the protection of Australia’s biological diversity at all levels. Protected areas within the NRSMPA: are established for the conservation of biological diversity; are classified into one or more IUCN protected area categories; have secure conservation status; and contribute to the representativeness, comprehensiveness or adequacy of the national system.
Other NRSMPA goals relevant to the Reserve include: the promotion of integrated ecosystem management; the provision of formal management for a range of human activities; the provision of scientific reference sites; provisioning for the special needs of rare, threatened and migratory species; the conservation of special groups of organisms; and the conservation of areas possessing high levels of species diversity, natural refuges for flora and fauna and centres of endemism.
Recovery Plans, Action Plans and Threat Abatement Plans
A number of EPBC Act recovery plans and threat abatement plans for listed threatened species, and other national actions plans, are relevant to the protection and management of species found in the Reserve.
Other Agreements and Strategies
The Commonwealth Government’s declaration and ongoing management of the Reserve advances its objectives for protected areas and networks under the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity and the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development.
A.7 – Other relevant legislation
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953 (HIMI Act) ratifies Australia’s acceptance of sovereignty over the Territory and provides for the Territory’s legal regime, including the application of:
§Commonwealth laws which expressly apply to the Territory;
§Ordinances made specifically for the Territory;
§the laws, other than criminal laws, in force from time to time in the Australian Capital Territory, so far as they are applicable and not inconsistent with an Ordinance in force in the Territory; and
§the criminal laws in force from time to time in the Jervis Bay Territory, so far as they are applicable and not inconsistent with an Ordinance in force in the Territory.
The HIMI Act provides for the Governor-General to make ordinances for the peace, order and good government of the Territory.
The Criminal Procedure Ordinance 1993(HIMI) provides mechanisms for law enforcement in the Territory, including the designation of special constables. Special constables have powers to deal with persons who have breached the laws of the Territory.
The Weapons Ordinance 2001(HIMI) restricts the possession and use of weapons in the Territory to approved scientific projects, with some minor exceptions. Storage and registration of weapons is also provided for and a register must be compiled and maintained.
The Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 deals with the protection of the marine environment from ship-sourced pollution. The Act implements MARPOL 73/78 and regulates normal operational discharges from ships. MARPOL 73/78 annexes regulate the discharge of oil (Annex I), noxious liquid substances (Annex II), the disposal of sewage from ships (Annex IV) and garbage (Annex V), and prohibit the disposal of harmful substances carried by sea in packaged forms (Annex III).
The Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 regulates the dumping of controlled material at sea (including certain wastes and other matter), the incineration of controlled material at sea, loading for the purpose of dumping or incineration, export for the purpose of dumping or incineration, and the placement of artificial reefs. The Act gives effect to Australia’s obligations under the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (thereby also fulfilling Australia’s international obligations under the London Dumping Convention). Permits are required for any sea dumping activities. Operational discharges from vessels are not defined as ‘dumping’ under the 1996 Protocol and are therefore not regulated under the Act.
The Fisheries Management Act 1991 regulates fishing activities in the Australian Fishing Zone (and therefore the HIMI Exclusive Economic Zone). The Act also applies to fishing undertaken by Australians on the high seas, including in the CAMLR Convention Area.
The Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act 1981 (AMLRC Act) implements Australia’s obligations under the CAMLR Convention. The Reserve falls within statistical division 58.5.2 of the Convention Area and a small part of the EEZ extends into divisions 58.4.3a and 58.4.3b. The Act provides for a system of permits and inspectors and allows for the implementation of conservation measures adopted by CCAMLR. The management of commercial harvesting in the CAMLR Convention Area is regulated by the Fisheries Management Act 1991 rather than the AMLRC Act.
The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 provides for the protection of historic shipwrecks and associated relics and the establishment of protected zones around historic shipwrecks. All shipwrecks and associated relics more than 75 years old are protected under the Act by Ministerial declaration. A wreck less than 75 years old may also be protected by a declaration of the Minister. The Act prohibits conduct in relation to historic shipwrecks and relics, including conduct that: destroys or causes damage to an historic shipwreck or relic; causes interference with an historic shipwreck or relic; causes the disposal of an historic shipwreck or relic; or causes an historic shipwreck or relic to be removed from Australia.
Appendix B – Reserve native fauna listed under the EPBC Act
Scientific Name
Common Name
Listings
Birds recorded as breeding
Aptenodytes patagonicus
king penguin
S
Catharacta lonnbergi
subantarctic skua
S
Daption capense
cape petrel
S
Diomeda exulans
wandering albatross
V
S
M
B
J
A
Eudyptes chrysocome
southern rockhopper penguin
S
Eudyptes chrysolophus
macaroni penguin
S
Larus dominicanus
kelp gull
S
Macronectes giganteus
southern giant petrel
E
S
M
B
A
Oceanites oceanicus
Wilson’s storm petrel
S
M
J
Pachyptila crassirostris
fulmar prion
S
Pachyptila desolata
Antarctic prion
S
Pelecanoides georgicus
South Georgian diving petrel
S
Pelecanoides urinatrix
common diving petrel
S
Leucocarbo atriceps nivalis (e)
Heard Island cormorant
V
S
Phoebetria palpebrata
light mantled sooty albatross
S
M
B
A
Pygoscelis papua
gentoo penguin
S
Sterna vittata vittata
Antarctic tern (Indian Ocean)
V
S
Thalassarche melanophris
black-browed albatross
V
S
M
B
A
Non-breeding birds
Catharacta maccormicki
south polar skua
S
M
J
Diomedea epomophora
southern royal albatross
V
S
M
B
A
Diomedea exulans amsterdamensis
Amsterdam albatross
E
S
M
B
A
Fregetta grallaria grallaria
white-bellied storm petrel
V
S
Fregetta tropica
black-bellied storm petrel
S
Fulmarus glacialoides
southern fulmar
S
Garrodia nereis
grey-backed storm petrel
S
Halobaena caerulea
blue petrel
V
S
Macronectes halli
northern giant petrel
V
S
M
B
A
Pachyptila belcheri
slender-billed prion
S
Pachyptila vittata
broad-billed prion
S
Pagodroma nivea
snow petrel
S
Phoebetria fusca
sooty albatross
V
S
M
B
A
Procellaria aequinoctialis
white chinned petrel
S
M
B
A
Procellaria cinerea
grey petrel
S
M
B
Pterodroma baraui
Barau's petrel
S
Pterodroma brevirostris
Kerguelen petrel
S
Pterodroma inexpectata
mottled petrel
S
Pterodroma lessonii
white-headed petrel
S
Pterodroma macroptera
great-winged petrel
S
Pterodroma mollis
soft-plumaged petrel
V
S
Pygoscelis adeliae
Adelie penguin
S
Pygoscelis antarcticus
chinstrap penguin
S
Sterna paradisaea
Arctic tern
S
Thalassarche chlororhynchos
yellow-nosed albatross
V
S
M
B
A
Thalassarche chrysostoma
grey-headed albatross
E
S
M
B
A
Thalassoica antarctica
Antarctic petrel
S
Tringa nebularia
greenshank
S
M
B
J
C
Seals
Arctocephalus gazella
Antarctic fur seal
S
Arctocephalus tropicalis
subantarctic fur seal
V
S
Hydrurga leptonyx
leopard seal
S
Leptonychotes weddelli
Weddell seal
S
Lobodon carcinophagus
crabeater seal
S
Mirounga leonina
southern elephant seal
V
S
Ommatophoca rossi
Ross seal
S
Cetaceans and elasmobranchs
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Minke whale
W
Balaenoptera bonaerensis
Antarctic Minke whale
W
M
Balaenoptera borealis
Sei whale
V
W
M
Balaenoptera musculus
blue whale
E
W
M
B
Balaenoptera physalus
fin whale
V
W
M
Berardius arnuxii
Arnoux’s beaked whale
W
Eubalaena australis
southern right whale
E
W
M
B
Globicephala melas
long-finned pilot whale
W
Grampus griseus
Risso’s dolphin, Grampus
W
Hyperoodon planifrons
southern bottlenose whale
W
M
B
Lagenorhynchus cruciger
hourglass dolphin
W
Lagenorhynchus obscurus
dusky dolphin
W
M
B
Lamna nasus
Porbeagle, mackerel shark
S
M
B
Lissodelphis peronii
Southern right whale dolphin
W
Megaptera noveangliae
humpback whale
V
W
M
B
Mesoplodon hectori
Hector’s beaked whale
W
Mesoplodon layardii
strap-toothed beaked whale
W
Orcinas orca
killer whale
W
M
B
Phocoena dioptrica
spectacled porpoise
W
M
B
Physeter macrocephalus
sperm whale
W
M
Tursiops truncatus
Bottlenose dolphin
W
Ziphius cavirostris
Cuvier’s beaked whale, goose-beaked whale
W
Key to codes
(e) Taxon endemic to the HIMI
A Listed under ACAP
B Species listed under the Bonn Convention
C Listed under CAMBA
E Listed under the EPBC Act as endangered
F In a family listed under the Bonn Convention
J Listed under JAMBA
M Listed under the EPBC Act as migratory species (listed under the Bonn Convention, and/or CAMBA and/or JAMBA)
S Listed marine species under the EPBC Act
V Listed under the EPBC Act as vulnerable
W Whales and other cetaceans under the EPBC Act
Appendix C – Physical and biological characteristics of the Reserve’s marine environment
Local Unit
Physical Characteristics
Biological Characteristics
Coral Bank - mesa-like bank rising steeply from deep water
- flat but rugged top with pinnacles, boulders and sand
- 300-500 metres deep
- locally highly productive in relatively warm, nutrient-rich waters as it is influenced by relatively warm water of the ACC
- rich benthic fauna, including slow-growing gorgonian corals
- affinity with Aurora Bank
- stalked barnacles only found here
- localised distribution of the ophiuroid Astrotoma agassizii
- productive area for meso-pelagic fish
- habitat for juvenile D. eleginoides and skates
- similar fish fauna to Aurora, Discovery and Pike Banks
Discovery Bank - whale-backed bank rising from the northern plateau
- reasonably flat with basaltic sand, but can be pebbly and craggy in places
- about 300-400 metres deep
- influenced by relatively warm water of the ACC
- epibenthic fauna consists primarily of anemones, sponges and asteroids
- tall erect glass sponges found here and at Shell Bank, north-eastern plateau and eastern trough
- habitat for juvenile D. eleginoides and skates
- similar fish fauna to Aurora, Coral and Pike Banks
Shell Bank
(representative portions)- isolated mesa-like bank with a flat, even top
- steep craggy slopes with a craggy rim
- only area with a distinctly different substratum - white sand and uniquely covered with a thick deposit of shell grit
- 180-350m deep
- cool water
- influenced by an eddy of productive water
- rich benthic fauna with high diversity of echinoderms
- tall erect glass sponges here and Discovery Bank, north-eastern plateau and eastern trough
- only record of a new species of asteroid, Astropectin sp.
- localised distribution of the asteroid Rhopiella hirsuta
- localised distribution of the holothurian Cucumaria godeffroyi
- a morphotype of Valvifera isopods of the Family Idoteidae is local to this area, the north-eastern plateau and the eastern trough
- distinct population of C. gunnari
- habitat for juvenile D. eleginoides
- population of L. squamifrons on south edge
- part of the main foraging area, including area to the north and east, for many land-based marine predators
Territorial Sea - substratum is mostly smooth, medium-grain black basaltic sand, with basaltic cobbles and boulders common in the nearshore area
- 0-300 metres deep
- substratum disturbed by wave action in water shallower than 200m, particularly in the north, north-east and eastern areas
- southern margins are steep slopes descending to 1000 metres
- diverse benthic fauna near to the island with affinities to inner southern plateau
- a new species of sea cucumber, Pseudocnus sp. found here, in the southern plateau inner and the banks
- localised distribution of the asteroid Cycethra verrucosa
- localised distribution of the echinoid Ctenodaris nutrix
- localised distribution of the holothurians Cucumaria kerguelensis, Cucumaria serrata, Trachythyone lecheri, Psolus ephippifer
- localised distribution of the ophiuroids Opiacantha imago, Opiacantha vivipara, Ophiura ambigua
- an asteroid morphotype and the ophiuroid, Ophiacantha vivipara, are local to this area
- foraging area for nearshore flying birds
Southern Plateau Inner
(representative portions)- broad, flat, hard and even substratum
- west, south and east margins are generally steep and undulating to craggy slopes
- ground is mostly smooth, medium-grain black basaltic sand and grey silt
- 200-500 metres deep
- influenced by relatively warm water of the ACC
- rich benthic fauna with affinities to nearshore areas in the territorial sea
- localised distribution of the holothurian Psolidum incertum
- a new species of holothuroid, Pseudocnus sp. found here, in the territorial sea and the banks
- very young mackerel icefish have been found here
- D. eleginoides is widespread with mostly juveniles on the plateau surface
- a principal habitat for skates, C. rhinoceratus and a variety of less common nototheniids
Southern Plateau Outer
(representative portions)- broad, flat and even substratum
- east and west margins generally steep and undulating to craggy slopes
- ground is mostly smooth, medium-grain black basaltic sand and grey silt
- 300-500 metres deep
- influenced by cooler water from the eastern trough and the relatively warm water of the ACC in the west and north of this unit
- rich benthic fauna with affinities to the eastern trough, such as prawns, shrimps and isopods
- variety of asteroids and the polychaetes from the Family Aphroditidae are local to this area
- localised distribution of the asteroid Smilasterias triremis
- the ophiuroid Ophiura only found here and in the northern plateau
- soft coral only found here
- contains a separate stock of C. gunnari, concentrating in the shallow water in the eastern half of the unit
- D. eleginoides is widespread, but there are mostly juveniles on the plateau surface, with larger fish generally on the slopes
- principal habitat for skates, C. rhinoceratus and a variety of less common nototheniids
Northern Plateau
(representative portions)- relatively narrow region of the main plateau
- very uneven topography
- hard substratum of basaltic cobbles, small pinnacles, shell grit, black sand and grey silt
- deeper than the southern plateau, averaging about 500 metres in depth
- influenced by cooler water from the eastern trough and the relatively warm water of the ACC in the west and central areas of this unit
- similar benthic fauna to Discovery Bank and the north-eastern plateau
- Ophiura only found here and in the southern plateau outer
- fewer D. eleginoides and skates and a less abundant and diverse fish fauna generally
North-eastern Plateau
(representative portions)- hard substratum with cobbles, yellow sand and grey silt
- 500-700 metres deep which slopes into deeper water in the east
- similar benthic fauna to Shell Bank
- tall erect glass sponges found here and at Discovery Bank, Shell Bank, and eastern trough
- a morphotype of Valvifera isopods of the Family Idoteidae is unique to this area, Shell Bank and the eastern trough
- only record of a new species of holothurian, Psolus sp.
- only records of three new species of ophiuroid, Amphiura sp., Ophiacantha sp. and Ophiomitrella sp.
- localised distribution of the ophiuroid Asteronyx loveni
- only known location within the HIMI region where Lucifer sharks (Etmopterus granulosus) have been recorded
- fish fauna comprising mainly D. eleginoides and deeper water species such as the Macrouridae and Moridae
- part of the main foraging area, including area to the north and east, for many land-based marine predators
South of HIMI
(local unit is only a small portion of the EEZ to south of HIMI)- relatively warmer water of the ACC moving over the southern parts of the plateau - no information is available to describe this area except that a number of land-based marine predators forage to the south of the island
Adapted from Meyer, L., Constable, A. and Williams, R. (2000) Conservation of marine habitats in the region of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands. Australian Antarctic Division, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Kingston.
Appendix D – World Heritage values of the HIMI Territory
The HIMI Territory was inscribed on the World Heritage List during the twenty-first session of the World Heritage Committee in 1997 on the basis of its outstanding natural universal values.
The site met two of the Operational Guidelines 2002 criteria for listing as a natural World Heritage site:
i. an outstanding example representing major stages of earth’s history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of land forms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features
Heard Island and McDonald Islands contains outstanding examples of physical and biological processes continuing in an essentially undisturbed environment, particularly physical processes which provide an understanding of the role of crustal plates in the formation of ocean basins and continents and of atmospheric and oceanic warming, and biological processes including colonisation and speciation. Examples of these World Heritage values include:
§ an active example of plume volcanism, and direct geological evidence of the action of the longest operational plume system known (plumes are the unseen, upward movements of relatively warm parts of the earth’s mantle);
§ geological evidence of plume interaction with overlying crustal plates;
§ a uniquely wide range of isotopic compositions of elements in volcanic rocks, providing insight into mantle plume composition;
§ the only known continuously active volcano on a subantarctic island;
§ fast-flowing glaciers that retreat and advance quickly in response to changes in temperature and precipitation;
§ evidence of dramatic fluctuation in glacier extent in recent decades, and consequent changes in the total glaciated area; and
§ formation of newly deglaciated areas.
ii. an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals
Heard Island and McDonald Islands, the only subantarctic islands free of introduced species and with negligible modification by humans, provide a classic example of a subantarctic island group with low species diversity and large populations of certain species. Examples of the World Heritage values include:
§ the unmodified status of the islands and intact ecosystems, providing opportunities for ecological research investigating population dynamics, species interactions, propagule immigration, plant colonisation, species recolonisation, and monitoring of the health and stability of the larger Southern Ocean ecosystem;
§ crucial habitat and breeding grounds for large numbers of marine birds and mammals;
§ areas of newly deglaciated land providing habitat for plants and animals and an outstanding location for researching plant colonisation;
§ ice-free areas of land isolated from each other by glaciers which provide unparalleled opportunities for study of dispersal and establishment of plants;
§ absence of human disturbance, providing unique opportunities for research into population dynamics of plant and animal species;
§ important breeding location for burrowing birds due to the absence of introduced mammals;
§ large breeding populations of flying birds and penguins;
§ species of conservation significance (such as the endemic Heard Island cormorant Phalacrocorax nivalis and the endemic sub-species Heard Island sheathbill Chionis minor nasicornis);
§ bird predator populations unaffected by the presence of introduced predators;
§ populations of invertebrate species, some endemic to Heard and McDonald Islands, and some endemic to the Heard and McDonald Islands/Kerguelen region;
§ populations of seal species, including breeding southern elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals, and subantarctic fur seals; and
§ the diversity of fauna and flora.
5. Bibliography and further reading
Allison, I.F. and Keage P.L. (1986) ‘Recent changes in the glaciers at Heard Island’ Polar Record 23 (144): 255-271
Australian Antarctic Division (2011) Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Amendment Proposal Report, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston
Australian Antarctic Division (1995) Heard Island Wilderness Reserve: Management Plan. Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Environment, Sports and Territories, Kingston
Australian Antarctic Division (2005) Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2005-2012. Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Environment and Heritage, Kingston
Australian National University (2009) Implications of climate change for Australia’s World Heritage properties: A preliminary assessment. A report to the Department of Climate Change and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts by the Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University
Bannister, J.L., Kemper, C.M. and Warneke, R.M. (1996) Action Plan for Australian Cetaceans. Environment Australia, Canberra
Bax, N., Carlton, J.T., Mathews–Amos, A., Haedrich, R.L., Howarth, F.G., Purcell, J.E., Rieser, A. and Gray, A. (2001) ‘The control of biological invasions in the world’s oceans’. Conservation Biology 15: 1234–1246
Belbin, L., Gibson, J.A.E., Davis, C., Watts, D. and McIvor, E. (2003) ‘State of the Environment Reporting: An Antarctic Case Study’ Polar Record 39(3): 193-201
Belkin, I.M. and Gordon, A.L. (1996) ‘Southern Ocean fronts from the Greenwich meridian to Tasmania’. Journal of Geophysical Research 101: 3675–3696
Bergstrom, D.M. and Chown, S.L. (1999) ‘Life at the front: history, ecology and change in southern ocean islands’. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14(12): 472–477
Bergstrom, D.M., Whinam, J. and Belbin, L. (2002) ‘A classification of subantarctic Heard Island vegetation’. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research 34: 169–177
Bergstrom, D. and Selkirk, P. (1997) ‘Distribution of bryophytes on subantarctic Heard Island’. Bryologist 100(3): 349–355
Brown, P.L. (1957) Twelve came back. Robert Hale, London
Budd, G.M. (2000) Changes in Heard Island glaciers, king penguins and fur seals since 1947. In: Banks, M.R., and M.J. Brown (editors), Heard Island papers. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 133 (2): 47-60
Budd, G.M. (2007) ‘Australian exploration of Heard Island, 1947–1971’ Polar Record 43 (225): 97–123
Budd, G.M. (2013) ‘Untamed southern isle’ Australian Geographic 114: 86-98
Busch, B.C. (1980) ‘Elephants and Whales: New London and Desolation, 1840–1900’. American Neptune, XL(2)
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