National team established to help with recovery of endangered Australian sea lions

A new national committee, being led by South Australia, has been set up to assist the Australian Government in creating and adopting a new recovery plan to guide conservation actions of the endangered Australian sea lion through to 2033.

Sea lions are unique to South Australia and Western Australia. Their total population is less than 12,000, with 85% in South Australia and the other 15% in Western Australia. Large colonies exist at Dangerous Reef in the Spencer Gulf, Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island and The Pages.

The national recovery team is being led by South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water. It includes the Conservation Council of SA, Western Australian Department of Biodiversity and Attractions, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the science community and Aboriginal representatives.

The recovery team will play an important role in prioritising on ground actions and ensuring there is a coordinated approach to sea lion management. The committee will meet quarterly thereafter.

It will support the Commonwealth to develop the updated recovery plan for adoption by the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water later this year.

The status of Australian sea lions was reassessed in 2020 from vulnerable to endangered under the Environment, Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 - indicating an increased risk of extinction. The ocean mammal is listed as vulnerable in South Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Sea lions were commercially hunted for oil and leather during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Unlike other pinnipeds hunted during that time, the population has not recovered. Unique to SA and WA waters, there are estimated to be fewer than 12,000 sea lions in existence and there is evidence the population remains in decline.

Susan Close, Deputy Premier of South Australia and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water notes “the Australian sea lion is a popular marine species, particularly in SA waters where most of the population that are still in existence are found.

“They are a unique feature of our seas and coastline, which is why the state government is taking the lead on protecting and regenerating Australian sea lion numbers.”

Sandy Carruthers, DEW Director Strategy, Science and Corporate Services (Chairwoman of the National Recovery Team) adds “The National Recovery Team will play an important role in ensuring there is a collaborative approach to Australian sea lion recovery.

“The team includes a broad range of stakeholders and experts.

“I look forward to working with all of them to support the Australian Government to create and adopt an updated plan which supports the recovery of this iconic mammal over the next 10 years.”

Image top. Credit: Kangaroo Island Tourism; Image above. Credit: WWF