Marine Wildlife Management Manual 2021

Policies and procedures for marine wildlife management

This manual details the policies and procedures for all marine wildlife management planning and operations undertaken by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to fulfil its marine wildlife responsibilities under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

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Date
22 February 2022
Publisher
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Type
Publication, Policies and guidelines
Cost
Free
Language
English
Tags
  • ISBN 978-1-76058-430-6
  • File PDF 11.1MB
  • Pages 297
  • Name marine-wildlife-management-manual-2021-policies-procedures-marine-wildlife-management.pdf

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, has specific responsibilities for protecting and conserving all marine mammals, reptiles and birds in NSW waters which extend to 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) offshore. This includes marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, and marine reptiles, such as sea turtles and sea snakes, that inhabit marine, estuarine and riverine habitats.

The manual guides NPWS responses to sick, injured or stranded marine wildlife to ensure:

  • these events are managed in a consistent, appropriate, efficient and effective way
  • staff and public safety is not compromised
  • all animals involved are treated expeditiously and humanely to minimise their suffering, wherever possible
  • as many fit and healthy stranded animals as possible are returned to the sea or estuary.

Occasionally animals require euthanasia. NPWS recognises that decisions to euthanise are difficult and must only be made after considering the welfare of each individual animal, the safety of personnel involved and after consulting wildlife experts including veterinarians.