{"id":"F2007B00750","name":"Declaration under s209 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - List of Migratory Species (13/07/2000)","slug":"declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":62634,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2007B00750-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Mammals","sectionType":"division","heading":"Mammals","content":"### Mammals\n\n| Balaena glacialis australis | |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |\n| Balaenoptera bonaerensis | Antarctic Minke Whale |\n| Balaenoptera borealis | Sei Whale |\n| Balaenoptera edeni | Bryde’s whale |\n| Balaenoptera musculus | |\n| Balaenoptera physalus | Fin Whale |\n| Balaenoptera omurai | |\n| Caperea marginata | Pygmy Right Whale |\n| Dugong dugon | |\n| Lagenodelphis hosei (Southeast Asian populations) | |\n| Lagenorhynchus obscurus | |\n| Megaptera novaeangliae | |\n| Orcaella heinsohni | |\n| Note: The Orcaella heinsohni (the Australian Snubfin Dolphin) was previously included as part of the listing for the Orcaella brevirostris (the Irrawaddy Dolphin). | |\n| Orcinus orca | Killer whale |\n| Phocoena dioptrica | |\n| Physeter macrocephalus | Sperm whale |\n| Sousa chinensis | |\n| Stenella attenuata (eastern tropical Pacific population, Southeast Asian populations) | |\n| Stenella longirostris (eastern tropical Pacific populations, Southeast Asian populations) | |\n| Tursiops aduncus (Arafura/Timor Sea populations) | |\n\nBirds\n\n```html\n

All species in the family Accipitridae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Anatidae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Charadriidae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Falconidae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Phoenicopteridae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Recurvirostridae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Scolopacidae, including the sub-family Phalaropodinae, formerly listed as the family Phalaropodidae, for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the genus Grus for which Australia is a Range State.

Acrocephalus orientalis

Actitis hypoleucos

Anas querquedula

Anous stolidus

Apus pacificus

Ardenna carneipes

Ardenna grisea

Ardenna pacifica

Ardenna tenuirostris

Arenaria interpres

Bulweria bulwerii

Calidris acuminata

Calidris alba

Calidris canutus

Calidris ferruginea

Calidris melanotos

Calidris ruficollis

Calidris subminuta

Calidris tenuirostris

Calonectris leucomelas

Cecropis daurica

Charadrius dubius

Charadrius leschenaultii

Charadrius mongolus

Charadrius veredus

Chlidonias leucopterus

Cuculus optatus

Diomedea amsterdamensis

Diomedea antipodensis

Diomedea dabbenena

Diomedea epomophora

Diomedea exulans

Diomedea sanfordi

Fregata andrewsi

Fregata ariel

Fregata minor

Gallinago hardwickii

Gallinago megala

Gallinago stenura

Gelochelidon nilotica

Glareola maldivarum

Hirundapus caudacutus

Hirundo rustica

Hydrobates monorhis

Hydrobates matsudairae

Hydroprogne caspia

Limicola falcinellus

Limnodromus semipalmatus

Limosa lapponica

Limosa limosa

Macronectes giganteus

Macronectes halli

Motacilla cinerea

Motacilla flava

Numenius madagascariensis

Numenius minutus

Numenius phaeopus

Oceanites oceanicus

Onychoprion anaethetus

Pandion haliaetus

Phaethon lepturus

Phaethon rubricauda

Phalaropus lobatus

Philomachus pugnax

Phoebastria immutabilis

Phoebetria fusca

Phoebetria palpebrata

Plegadis falcinellus

Pluvialis fulva

Pluvialis squatarola

Procellaria aequinoctialis

Procellaria conspicillata

Procellaria cinerea

Procellaria parkinsoni

Procellaria westlandica

Stercorarius longicaudus

Stercorarius maccormicki

Stercorarius parasiticus

Stercorarius pomarinus

Sterna dougallii

Sterna hirundo

Sterna hirundo hirundo (populations breeding in the Western Palearctic)

Sterna paradisaea (Atlantic populations)

Sterna sumatrana

Sternula albifrons

Sula dactylatra

Sula leucogaster

Sula sula

Thalassarche bulleri

Thalassarche carteri

Thalassarche cauta

Thalassarche chlororhynchos

Thalassarche chrysostoma

Thalassarche eremita

Thalassarche impavida

Thalassarche melanophris

Thalassarche salvini

Thalassarche steadi

Thalasseus bergii

Tringa brevipes

Tringa glareola

Tringa incana

Tringa nebularia

Tringa stagnatilis

Tringa totanus

Xenus cinereus

\n```","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Reptiles","sectionType":"division","heading":"Reptiles","content":"### Reptiles\n\n| All native species in the family Cheloniidae, for which Australia is a Range State |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| All native species in the family Dermochelidae, for which Australia is a Range State |\n| Crocodylus porosus |","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Fish","sectionType":"division","heading":"Fish","content":"### Fish\n\n| Anoxypristis cuspidata | |\n| ------------------------ | ------------------- |\n| Carcharhinus falciformis | |\n| Carcharhinus longimanus | |\n| Carcharias taurus | |\n| Carcharodon carcharias | Great White Shark |\n| Cetorhinus maximus | Basking shark |\n| Isurus oxyrinchus | Shortfin mako shark |\n| Isurus paucus | Longfin mako shark |\n| Lamna nasus | Porbeagle shark |\n| Manta alfredi | |\n| Manta birostris | Giant Manta Ray |\n| Mobula eregoodootenkee | |\n| Mobula japanica | |\n| Mobula thurstoni | |\n| Pristis clavata | |\n| Pristis pristis | |\n| Pristis zijsron | |\n| Rhincodon typus | |","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Insects","sectionType":"division","heading":"Insects","content":"Commonwealth of Australia\n\nDeclaration under s209 of the\n\nEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999\n\nI, ROBERT MURRAY HILL, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, in pursuance of s209 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, hereby declare that a list of migratory species to that Act shall be deemed to be established by inclusion of the following migratory species:\n\n### Mammals\n\n| Balaena glacialis australis | |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |\n| Balaenoptera bonaerensis | Antarctic Minke Whale |\n| Balaenoptera borealis | Sei Whale |\n| Balaenoptera edeni | Bryde’s whale |\n| Balaenoptera musculus | |\n| Balaenoptera physalus | Fin Whale |\n| Balaenoptera omurai | |\n| Caperea marginata | Pygmy Right Whale |\n| Dugong dugon | |\n| Lagenodelphis hosei (Southeast Asian populations) | |\n| Lagenorhynchus obscurus | |\n| Megaptera novaeangliae | |\n| Orcaella heinsohni | |\n| Note: The Orcaella heinsohni (the Australian Snubfin Dolphin) was previously included as part of the listing for the Orcaella brevirostris (the Irrawaddy Dolphin). | |\n| Orcinus orca | Killer whale |\n| Phocoena dioptrica | |\n| Physeter macrocephalus | Sperm whale |\n| Sousa chinensis | |\n| Stenella attenuata (eastern tropical Pacific population, Southeast Asian populations) | |\n| Stenella longirostris (eastern tropical Pacific populations, Southeast Asian populations) | |\n| Tursiops aduncus (Arafura/Timor Sea populations) | |\n\nBirds\n\n```html\n

All species in the family Accipitridae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Anatidae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Charadriidae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Falconidae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Phoenicopteridae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Recurvirostridae for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the family Scolopacidae, including the sub-family Phalaropodinae, formerly listed as the family Phalaropodidae, for which Australia is a Range State.

All species in the genus Grus for which Australia is a Range State.

Acrocephalus orientalis

Actitis hypoleucos

Anas querquedula

Anous stolidus

Apus pacificus

Ardenna carneipes

Ardenna grisea

Ardenna pacifica

Ardenna tenuirostris

Arenaria interpres

Bulweria bulwerii

Calidris acuminata

Calidris alba

Calidris canutus

Calidris ferruginea

Calidris melanotos

Calidris ruficollis

Calidris subminuta

Calidris tenuirostris

Calonectris leucomelas

Cecropis daurica

Charadrius dubius

Charadrius leschenaultii

Charadrius mongolus

Charadrius veredus

Chlidonias leucopterus

Cuculus optatus

Diomedea amsterdamensis

Diomedea antipodensis

Diomedea dabbenena

Diomedea epomophora

Diomedea exulans

Diomedea sanfordi

Fregata andrewsi

Fregata ariel

Fregata minor

Gallinago hardwickii

Gallinago megala

Gallinago stenura

Gelochelidon nilotica

Glareola maldivarum

Hirundapus caudacutus

Hirundo rustica

Hydrobates monorhis

Hydrobates matsudairae

Hydroprogne caspia

Limicola falcinellus

Limnodromus semipalmatus

Limosa lapponica

Limosa limosa

Macronectes giganteus

Macronectes halli

Motacilla cinerea

Motacilla flava

Numenius madagascariensis

Numenius minutus

Numenius phaeopus

Oceanites oceanicus

Onychoprion anaethetus

Pandion haliaetus

Phaethon lepturus

Phaethon rubricauda

Phalaropus lobatus

Philomachus pugnax

Phoebastria immutabilis

Phoebetria fusca

Phoebetria palpebrata

Plegadis falcinellus

Pluvialis fulva

Pluvialis squatarola

Procellaria aequinoctialis

Procellaria conspicillata

Procellaria cinerea

Procellaria parkinsoni

Procellaria westlandica

Stercorarius longicaudus

Stercorarius maccormicki

Stercorarius parasiticus

Stercorarius pomarinus

Sterna dougallii

Sterna hirundo

Sterna hirundo hirundo (populations breeding in the Western Palearctic)

Sterna paradisaea (Atlantic populations)

Sterna sumatrana

Sternula albifrons

Sula dactylatra

Sula leucogaster

Sula sula

Thalassarche bulleri

Thalassarche carteri

Thalassarche cauta

Thalassarche chlororhynchos

Thalassarche chrysostoma

Thalassarche eremita

Thalassarche impavida

Thalassarche melanophris

Thalassarche salvini

Thalassarche steadi

Thalasseus bergii

Tringa brevipes

Tringa glareola

Tringa incana

Tringa nebularia

Tringa stagnatilis

Tringa totanus

Xenus cinereus

\n```\n\n### Reptiles\n\n| All native species in the family Cheloniidae, for which Australia is a Range State |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| All native species in the family Dermochelidae, for which Australia is a Range State |\n| Crocodylus porosus |\n\n### Fish\n\n| Anoxypristis cuspidata | |\n| ------------------------ | ------------------- |\n| Carcharhinus falciformis | |\n| Carcharhinus longimanus | |\n| Carcharias taurus | |\n| Carcharodon carcharias | Great White Shark |\n| Cetorhinus maximus | Basking shark |\n| Isurus oxyrinchus | Shortfin mako shark |\n| Isurus paucus | Longfin mako shark |\n| Lamna nasus | Porbeagle shark |\n| Manta alfredi | |\n| Manta birostris | Giant Manta Ray |\n| Mobula eregoodootenkee | |\n| Mobula japanica | |\n| Mobula thurstoni | |\n| Pristis clavata | |\n| Pristis pristis | |\n| Pristis zijsron | |\n| Rhincodon typus | |\n\n### Insects","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"completionTokens":517},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward species list declaration under s209 of the EPBC Act. The scope remains limited to establishing the list of migratory species as authorised by the parent Act. No expansion beyond the statutory purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Simple tabular structure with species listed by scientific name","No conditional logic or cross-references to other legislation","Straightforward categorical coverage (entire families for some groups, specific species for others)","Minor complexity from taxonomic notation (sub-families, populations) and \"Range State\" concept","No defined terms section or interpretive provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This ministerial declaration under the EPBC Act establishes a formal list of migratory species that are legally protected in Australia. It covers hundreds of species across mammals (whales, dolphins, dugongs), birds (including many seabirds, shorebirds and raptors), reptiles (sea turtles and saltwater crocodile) and fish (sharks and rays); an insects section is present but lists no species.\n\nBy listing them, the declaration activates federal protections and means actions likely to significantly affect these species may require assessment and approval."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This declaration extends the practical scope of Commonwealth regulation compared with a narrowly drafted list of specific treaty species by: (a) listing entire taxonomic families and a genus where Australia is a \"Range State,\" which broadens coverage beyond individually named species; (b) specifying particular populations of species, which can bring additional sub-populations under federal protection even where other populations are not covered; and (c) incorporating taxonomic updates (the Orcaella split). Those drafting choices expand the universe of organisms and situations subject to EPBC migratory-species rules and therefore broaden regulatory reach and compliance obligations beyond what a simple species-by-species list would achieve."},"complexity_factors":["Mixture of taxonomic levels: individual species, specified populations, whole families and genera (requires different interpretation approaches).","Use of conditional phrase “for which Australia is a Range State” — external factual determination needed for many family-level entries.","Numerous geographic/population qualifiers (e.g. \"eastern tropical Pacific populations\", \"Southeast Asian populations\", \"populations breeding in the Western Palearctic\") increase conditional logic.","Taxonomic changes and notes (e.g. Orcaella heinsohni split) require ongoing administrative updates and create interpretive ambiguity.","Long list — dozens of named taxa plus whole-family entries (administrative scale increases search and enforcement costs).","Cross-references to other EPBC Act concepts (e.g. \"significant impact\") require reading this declaration alongside other statutory provisions for full effect.","Mixed presentation format (tables, plain text, inline notes) increases the risk of inconsistent interpretation in practice."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanics)**\n\n- This is a Ministerial declaration made under section 209 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It creates (i.e. \"deems to be established\") the Commonwealth list of **migratory species** by naming the species, populations and whole taxonomic groups that are treated as migratory species under the EPBC Act. (Section cited: s209, EPBC Act.)\n\n- The list is a mixture of individual species (for example, Carcharodon carcharias — Great White Shark), specified populations of a species (for example, certain eastern tropical Pacific or Southeast Asian populations), and entire families or genera where the declaration says \"All species in [family/genus] for which Australia is a Range State.\" It also contains a short administrative note splitting Orcaella heinsohni from Orcaella brevirostris.\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Anyone proposing or carrying out activities that could affect these animals in Australian jurisdiction: private developers, resource companies, fisheries, ports and shipping operators, tourism operators, research organisations, local governments, Indigenous land managers, and conservation NGOs.\n\n- Commonwealth and state regulators and statutory agencies that must interpret and apply the EPBC Act when an action may have a significant impact on a listed migratory species.\n\n**Why it matters (practical effect)**\n\n- Once a species (or family/genus/population) is on the EPBC migratory list, certain actions that are likely to have a significant impact on that species become subject to federal referral, assessment and approval requirements under the EPBC Act. That can require permits, environmental impact assessment and conditions on approved activities. It also creates potential criminal and civil liability for unlawful taking, harming or trade in listed migratory species without authorisation.\n\n**What the instrument claims it will achieve (as stated) — and the trade-offs**\n\n- Purpose-claim: the declaration implements the EPBC Act’s requirement to identify migratory species so the Commonwealth can meet international obligations and regulate impacts on those species. \n - Trade-off: the declaration increases federal regulatory reach over activities affecting listed species (benefit: centralised protection; cost: additional compliance and approval costs for proponents).\n\n- Mechanism driving concentrated benefits vs diffuse costs:\n - Concentrated benefits accrue to the listed species (and organisations seeking to conserve them) and to stakeholders who rely on clear Commonwealth protection (e.g. NGOs, researchers).\n - Diffuse costs fall on many project proponents, fishers and other businesses who now may need referrals, more detailed environmental studies, or changed operational practices.\n\n**Implementation, discretion and compliance burden**\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion: the declaration itself lists taxa; enforcement and interpretation (for example, whether a particular population is a \"Range State\" case or whether an action is a \"significant impact\") rests with the Department and, ultimately, the Minister and courts under the EPBC Act.\n\n- Compliance burden and transaction costs: listing whole families or genera (conditioned by the phrase “for which Australia is a Range State”) creates additional uncertainty and requires scientific and legal interpretation to determine which populations or species are actually covered. That uncertainty raises the cost of compliance (surveys, legal advice, referrals).\n\n- Implementation risk: taxonomy changes (species splits, name changes) and the geographic qualifiers for populations mean the list will require ongoing administrative updates. The declaration’s use of population qualifiers (e.g. \"eastern tropical Pacific populations\") demands geospatial and population-level interpretation during assessment.\n\n**Effects on private choice and markets**\n\n- Private actors face reduced freedom of action where their activities may affect listed migrants — they must factor potential federal assessment/approval into project timelines and budgets.\n\n- Competition and productivity impacts depend on the sector: in some situations compliance costs may raise entry costs or push marginal projects below profitability; in other cases the declaration may encourage innovation in mitigation and monitoring services (environmental consultancies, avoidance technologies).\n\n**Notable drafting features that affect how it operates**\n\n- Several entries use broad, taxonomic language — e.g. “All species in the family Accipitridae for which Australia is a Range State.” That extends coverage beyond named single species and requires an interpretive step to identify which species are actually present in Australian jurisdiction.\n\n- The list mixes precise species names, population qualifiers, whole-family listings and a short explanatory note about a taxonomic split (Orcaella heinsohni). This hybrid format creates both definitive rights/obligations (for named species) and interpretive obligations (for family- or population-based entries).\n\n(Section cited: the declaration is made under s209 of the EPBC Act.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-","history":"/api/acts/declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-/history","analysis":"/api/acts/declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/declaration-under-s209-of-the-environment-protection-and-biodiversity-conservation-act-1999-list-of-/documents"}}