The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of commercial fishing". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is a common objective across all Australian jurisdictions resulting in a good level of understanding of the direct pressures commercial fishing has on the marine environment. All Australian jurisdictions have introduced one or more measures to address those pressures that are increasingly based on risk assessment and implementing a management response. These include harvest strategies for the main commercial species, adaptive management involving expert judgement, more quantitative management strategy evaluation, ecosystem modelling and broader ecological risk assessments. There is now a greater understanding of the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on the marine environment and the need to consider this when determining appropriate fisheries management responses. However, management agencies are yet to integrate all the available science into their management systems. Likewise, current habitat analysis work will identify the emerging priorities in managing the environmental effects on habitats of commercial fishing. Spatial management has been introduced to mitigate the impacts on both vulnerable species and habitats where identified i.e. gulper shark closures in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery and the introduction of gillnet zoning closures to limit interactions with the Australian sea lion. Similarly, spatial closures that specifically prohibit trawling within seagrass and other sensitive nursery habitats are often used for many fisheries including, for example, the Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf prawn trawl fisheries in Western Australia. Specific mitigation measures for protected species are also used to reduce the effects of commercial fishing. This includes such things as: seal and turtle excluder devices, square mesh panels in trawls, tori lines and other sea bird deterrent devices. Education programs for the fishing industry have also been improved to provide a greater understanding of how to avoid and/or handle protected species. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT The assessment is based on relevant literature and reports on current management measures associated with commercial fishing – a list is provided in the attached Expert Assessment. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Understanding of fisheries and effective management frameworks is reasonably high and improving. • Planning associated with management of pressure: Improved planning processes directed towards research and risk-based assessment processes are resulting in more robust outcomes. • Input for informing management of pressure: Greater use of technology for data collection informs management decisions and measures the trajectory of trends over time. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Improved processes have been developed to expand the range of fishery assessment tools with an increased use of risk-based approaches. • Outputs from management framework in place: Biennial State of key Australian Fish Stocks Report form the primary assessment output for national commercial fisheries. • Outcomes of management framework in place: Improvements in data gathering and reporting direct resources towards commercial fishing operations that pose the highest risk to the marine environment. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of traditional use of marine resources". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT Quantifying the traditional use of marine resources by Indigenous communities is difficult due to the dispersed and sporadic nature of much traditional harvesting and the often complex and sensitive process of building community endorsement for long term monitoring programs to quantify harvest levels. Across Australia, there is a high diversity of community initiatives for monitoring and managing traditional harvest due to the specific local context for planning, managing and conservation. Since the 2011 assessment, the workforce of Indigenous rangers has grown around Australia and this has increased the on-ground capacity for monitoring the traditional take (e.g., GBRMPA, 2011; DIPF, 2013). In the Great Barrier Reef, as part of a Traditional use of marine resource agreement (TUMRA), Traditional owners are required to monitor, record and report traditional harvest activities (GBRMPA, 2008). In the Northern Territory, Indigenous rangers record information on the loss or return of aquatic species (e.g. fish, dugong, turtles) in their patrol areas (DIPF, 2013). Kimberley coastal communities are advancing with developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks (Jackson et al., 2015). Wide scale involvement of Indigenous rangers in monitoring programs also occurs in the Torres Strait (Johnson et al., 2015). Even with increased effort dedicated to Indigenous natural and cultural resource management, results have been mixed, with many projects falling well short of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous expectations (Barbour & Schlesinger, 2012). Natural and cultural resource management is considered a worthy and necessary goal (Ens et al., 2012), yet designing and implementing programs to achieve sustainability goals are not straightforward (Dressler et al., 2010). Determining whether traditional harvest is sustainable needs to be assessed on a case-by-case community basis given the wider ecological and pressure conditions within an area and as such, it is important to consider the state of the harvested population, state of supporting habitats, range of threats, and controls to limit human impacts. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT The information used in the assessment was based on extracting insightful statements from reports and articles across Australia on Traditional use of marine resources. No data sets were used to generate this assessment. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Gradual shift from the well-recognised need to understand sustainable traditional harvest levels towards building on-ground capacity and solutions for quantifying this level. • Planning associated with management of pressure: Indigenous-driven planning is growing yet it is not consistently linked to a framework that assesses the performance of stated objectives. • Input for informing management of pressure: Further progress on consistent recording and storing of data on traditional harvesting is needed before it informs management frameworks about the impact of this use. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: An extensive range of Indigenous-based initiatives are advancing to support the management of Traditional use of marine resources; assessing their performance is the next increment for effective management. • Outputs from management framework in

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of marine mining and industry". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT The potential for a wide variety of mineral resources exists within Australia’s maritime jurisdiction (see Table 1 in attached Expert Assessment). However marine mining and related industries remain an “emerging industry” and there is currently a low level of understanding of pressures and management strategies. Globally, the marine mining industry is more advanced and is supported by a growing body of research investigating the likely environmental impacts and mitigation strategies. Currently there are no offshore mining activities in Australia other than the well-established shell sand mining operation in Cockburn Sound (Fremantle, WA) and sand mining in Moreton Bay (Queensland). Both operations were granted extraction licences by state departments subject to strict environmental controls particularly relating to seagrass meadow replanting (Cockburn Sound) and sediment plumes (Moreton Bay). Other submissions to state and federal governments to explore and potentially exploit seafloor resources elsewhere in Australia, have been rejected or stalled due to the lack of existing base line knowledge, lack of community support, and poor understanding of the potential social and environmental impacts of such activities. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Published papers and reports (assessment has been conducted by literature review). 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Marine mining occurs on a local scale. Likely environmental impacts unclear with only ad hoc baseline information. • Planning associated with management of pressure: Resource assessment and planning is ad hoc and conducted on local scales, driven by commercial constraints and community pressures. • Input for informing management of pressure: Limited data available. International studies and established marine mining codes of conduct can inform understanding and planning. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Federal and state regulatory framework largely untested except where the marine mining is established. State-level decisions limited to temporary moratoria. • Outputs from management framework in place: Established operations have management programs; proposed operations have only desktop analysis. Limited research outputs exist (bathymetric mapping, benthic surveys etc.). • Outcomes of management framework in place: Established operations mitigate for local impacts, though not cumulative impacts. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Marine mining is limited in Australian waters with little change since 2011.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of marine debris". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT There is a good understanding of the potential sources of marine debris, however the distribution of various forms of marine debris in the marine environment is less well known although improving. Understanding of the impacts on the marine environment and knowledge of the key species at risk are improving and is an area of active research. In some cases predictions of impacts are made using limited scientific evidence, with available studies focused on acute impacts on individuals rather than long-term population consequences. Some work has been done in modelling the distribution and trajectories of marine debris, however there has been limited in-field verification of modelled outputs. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Data and analyses published in peer reviewed publications and agency reports. Details of the specific data sets used to generate this assessment have not been provided. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Local sources of marine debris are well known with increasing understanding of sources from neighbouring areas; knowledge of impacts is increasing however requires a greater level of understanding. • Planning associated with management of pressure: International conventions addressing the release of marine debris are in place and there are some efforts to improve waste reception facilities at both local and neighbouring international ports, however there are few practical arrangements in place for comprehensive and coordinated mitigation. • Input for informing management of pressure: Waste management programs have been developed but are yet to be implemented into fishery management arrangements and identification of port waste reception facilities is currently voluntary. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Management frameworks for land based sources operate across multiple jurisdictions that are not coordinated and there is currently no clear management framework at the Australian government level. • Outputs from management framework in place: Measures made against the objectives of the Threat Abatement Plan have been identified as being ineffective at addressing threats associated with marine debris. • Outcomes of management framework in place: Marine debris continues to impact species and ecosystems with no decline in pressures on the marine environment. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT The assessment is consistent with the assessment provided in the 2011 report.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of climate variability and climate change". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT Anthropogenic ocean warming, superimposed on natural climate variations – in particular El Niño–Southern Oscillation and decadal variability – and ocean acidification pose risks to Australia’s coral reef ecosystems, giant kelp and other habitats. In response, there have been significant shifts in the ranges of various invertebrates and fish. Recent reviews of climate change impacts and adaptation on Australia’s commercial marine fisheries and marine ecosystems discuss the implications for marine management. On the Great Barrier Reef, rising summer sea temperatures and steadily increasing ocean acidity increase the risk of mass coral bleaching. The cumulative impacts of economic activities – port dredging and runoff of sediment, nutrients and fertiliser from agriculture, for example – cause coral reefs to become stressed and more prone to the effects of climate change. More broadly around Australia, ocean warming and changes in currents are affecting fisheries and aquaculture. World-leading research on these risks is ongoing through Australian universities and research institutes and in consequence the understanding of physical processes is high. Understanding of the economic and cultural significance of the marine environment for Australia is lower, but considerable value is attributed to coastal regions in temperate and tropical Australia. Understanding of the management strategies required to combat the risks is lower still due at least in part to its complexity. Research is ongoing, but a greater investment in developing, implementing and monitoring strategies, monitoring and understanding change, and systematic acquisition and storage of data, is required. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT The assessment is based on published literature – a list is provided in the attached Expert Assessment. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Understanding of climate variability and its management is reasonably high and improving with government funding for well-established and internationally-respected institutions. • Planning associated with management of pressure: In-depth planning for icons such as the Great Barrier Reef continues, and commercial fisheries are aware of the need to plan around climate variability. Elsewhere efforts are more patchy. • Input for informing management of pressure: Short-term funding cycles are a continuing threat to effective management for long-term goals and sustainability. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Management tools and approaches exist and in some cases are applied; stronger regulation is required for long-term environmental health. • Outputs from management framework in place: Conflicting interests between economic development and the environment are leading to a gradual long-term environmental declines, which current management is not addressing. • Outcomes of management framework in place: Further policy and management controls are required to address declining environmental health and emerging risks of climate change. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Not specified. Review of additional literature has been conducted since 2011 SoE Assessment.

The Marine chapter of the 2021 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of Management – Shipping (marine vessel activity)". A PDF of the full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided) is downloadable in the "On-line Resources" section of this record as "EXPERT ASSESSMENT 2021 - Effectiveness of Management - Shipping" DESCRIPTION OF THE APPROACH TO MANAGING THE PRESSURE The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations agency responsible for safety, security and pollution prevention for international shipping. Australia is a signatory to key IMO conventions relating to maritime safety and environmental protection. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the federal agency responsible for maritime safety and environmental protection in Australian waters and works with other countries through the IMO. In Australia, Federal and State Governments work together in the control, risk reduction and risk response measures to manage shipping activity. The National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies (AMSA 2020) sets out the cooperative arrangements in place to respond to maritime emergencies and incidents affecting the environment. Shipping in the Great Barrier Reef Region is well managed by AMSA, Maritime Safety Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and guided by the North East Shipping Management Plan. Management protections and controls in place include REEFVTS vessel management system and designation as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (GBRMPA 2019). Interactions between marine fauna and shipping is largely addressed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment under the EPBC Act. AMSA provides guidance to the shipping industry on practices to avoid interactions between shipping and marine fauna. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT no specific data streams used 2021 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Approach • Assessment grade: Very effective Assessment trend: Improving Confidence grade: Adequate Confidence trend: Adequate Comparability with 2016: Comparable • Outputs • Assessment grade: Effective Assessment trend: Improving Confidence grade: Adequate Confidence trend: Adequate Comparability with 2016: Comparable • Outcomes • Assessment grade: Effective Assessment trend: Improving Confidence grade: Adequate Confidence trend: Adequate Comparability with 2016: Comparable CHANGES SINCE 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT The assessment has not changed since 2016.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of recreational fishing". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT Recreational fishing continues to have considerable value as a popular Australian lifestyle activity contributing both economic benefits to the economy and playing an important social role in the Australian way of life. The most recent Australia wide survey of recreational and indigenous fishing was conducted in 2000-01. The results of this survey indicated that 3.4 million people participated in recreational fishing during this 12 month period generating an estimated $1.8 billion in expenditure on services and items related to recreational fishing. For example, in Western Australia a recent survey of recreational fishing found that approximately 711,000 people (29.6% of the population) fished recreationally in the 2014/15 period compared to 691,000 in 2011/12 (32% of the population). Over 160,000 recreational fishing licences were issued during 2014/15 for specific recreational fishing activities. All revenue raised from licence fees goes back into recreational fisheries management. During the 2014/15 period, the Department of Fisheries Western Australia spent a total of $19 million on managing recreational fishing around the State, which includes the development of harvest strategies that include sectoral allocation and target catch ranges for both the recreational and commercial fish resources. Through this process, 19 fish resources have been identified as having a significant recreational fishing component and of these, 85% currently have catch ranges within acceptable limits. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT The assessment is based on expert knowledge of recreational fisheries management, peer-reviewed publications, state/territory and national assessments of fish stocks and recreational fishing activities and expert input from the Australian Fisheries Management Forum. Details of the specific data sets used to generate this assessment have not been provided. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: National and state/territory surveys have been conducted although understanding of overall impacts on stock status is not always known. In some jurisdictions ecosystem based approaches also include understanding of risks to species habitats and ecosystem structure. • Planning associated with management of pressure: Most jurisdictions have formal recreational fisheries management capacity and most incorporate ecosystems based approach to assessing risk, with increasing focus on habitat and fishery enhancement. • Input for informing management of pressure: Survey data include catch and effort data, and some social/behavioural and economic information. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: All jurisdictions use a range of controls including access restrictions, closed areas, closed seasons, restrictions on gear types, daily bag limits, minimum and or maximum size limits, possession limits, and licencing. • Outputs from management framework in place: National and jurisdictional survey data and reports can be used to provide information across species and stock ranges. • Outcomes of management framework in place: Recovery of some previously overfished species is occurring. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Commercial and recreational fisheries and traditional use of resources were all included in the one assessment in the 2011 report.

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Pressures on the marine environment associated with shipping". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE Australia as an island relies heavily on shipping for transportation of its imports and exports. In 2013–14, approximately 1274 million tonnes of cargo were loaded and 151 million tonnes discharged at Australian wharves by 5499 vessels that made 28 714 port calls. As this shipping traverses Australian waters there is potential for adverse interactions with the marine environment across all regions (see Figure 1). Specifically, there is a risk of environmental damage from collision or grounding of vessels, and ship strike, which is a significant cause of anthropogenic mortality to whales worldwide. Also although not addressed specifically here it should be noted small recreational vessels regularly injure dugongs, turtles, and dolphins. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT • AIS: AIS data for 2014, coverage over all regions, based on CTS product from AMSA • Ship strike database: Coverage over all regions 1872-2015. For the assessment we mainly looked at post 2000 records. • Shipping statistics: Coverage over all regions from 1998-2013 (Predictions from infrastructure Australia used for 2014-2015 growth). 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2016 • Assessment grade: Low Assessment trend: Deteriorating Confidence grade: High level of consensus Confidence trend: High level of consensus Comparability: Comparable • 2011 • CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT The assessment is unchanged.

The Marine chapter of the 2021 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Management Effectiveness of Commercial fishing". A PDF of the full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided) is downloadable in the "On-line Resources" section of this record as "EXPERT ASSESSMENT 2021 - Management Effectiveness - Commercial Fishing" DESCRIPTION OF THE APPROACH TO MANAGING THE PRESSURE All Australian jurisdictions understand the direct pressures that commercial fishing has on the marine environment. Almost all management agencies across Australia are using evidence-based processes such as harvest strategies for commercially important species to determine sustainable catch levels, and risk-based assessments of the broader ecosystem effects of fishing. Implementation, however, is not uniform with some stocks having an unknown sustainability status. The Australian partnership approach between managers, commercial fishers, scientists and other stakeholders is recognised globally as a standard for fisheries management (Marchal et al., 2016). Management agencies rely to varying degrees on co-funding of management costs from industry. Increased use of risk-based intelligence-gathering and reporting of fishing activity, and uptake of vessel monitoring systems is benefitting compliance. Australian jurisdictions have sought to implement single jurisdiction stock management where possible. Historically, the Offshore Constitutional Settlement has been the primary means to do so. More recently the emphasis has been to develop common (cross-jurisdictional) stock assessments and harvest strategies for shared stocks without changes in jurisdiction. Spatial management is used widely to reduce conflicts between sectors and increasingly to reduce the fishing impacts on vulnerable species and habitats. Some closures prohibit specific fishing methods within sensitive habitats. An increasing range of mechanisms and technical tools are being used to reduce interactions with seabirds, marine mammals, reptiles and other vulnerable species. Such bycatch reduction devices include tori lines, sprayers, seal and turtle excluder devices. Management agencies and industry recognise that climate change is affecting Australian fisheries, and the changing nature of marine ecosystems is receiving greater attention. However, implementation challenges remain. Management across sectors remains a challenge in terms of both of accurate data collection to understand stock status, and resource sharing. Cross-sectoral management with recreational sector continues to improve with several jurisdictions committed to regular surveys and rules around catch limits that better reflect stock levels. Traditional fishing is being increasingly recognised, but there remains no common agreement between indigenous Australians and jurisdictions about how to move forward. A range of best practice guidelines for fisheries management have been developed (Penney et al. 2016; Hobday et al. 2019; Sloane et al. 2014) and are steadily being deployed. Small-scale/data-limited fisheries are prevalent and remain a challenge (Hill et al., submitted; Dowling et al. 2016). Jurisdictions have begun to use a range of processes and decision-support tools to better ensure the sustainability of these fisheries including harvest strategies. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT not supplied 2021 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Approach • Assessment grade: Effective Assessment trend: Improving Confidence grade: Adequate Confidence trend: Adequate Comparability with 2016: Somewhat comparable. Increased uptake of harvest strategies and ecological risk assessments by most jurisdictions. • Outputs • Assessment grade: Effective Assessment trend: Improving Confidence grade: Adequate Confidence trend: Adequate Comparability with

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of oil and gas extraction and production". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT There is a very good understanding of the pressures and emerging threats from planned oil and gas activities. There is less available information about pressures arising from new technologies such as floating LNG and pressures arising from unplanned activities such as oil spills, however, there is a growing body of information around management of these pressures. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT All petroleum activities in commonwealth waters. Environment data only spans 2012 – 2015 since NOPSEMA was formed. Combination of qualitative and quantitative data used. Details of the specific data sets used to generate this assessment have not been provided, but all information is available from the NOPSEMA website: https://www.nopsema.gov.au/ 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Understanding of the impacts of exploration, production and decommissioning activities of the oil and gas industry are well understood. • Planning associated with management of pressure: Single national regulator for oil and gas operations in Commonwealth waters. • Input for informing management of pressure: Data collected is analysed for trends across industry and used to inform future environmental management improvements and regulatory activity. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Regulatory framework is subject to regular independent review to ensure ongoing effectiveness. • Outputs from management framework in place: The assessment and inspection of oil and gas activities is used to inform required areas of industry improvement. • Outcomes of management framework in place: Increased level of regulatory oversight ensures effective management of offshore oil and gas activities. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT Since the 2011 assessment, a national regulator of oil and gas activities has been established as the independent regulator for safety, well integrity and environmental management with its environmental management and approvals endorsed under the EPBC Act. This has introduced an increased level of scrutiny through assessment processes and compliance inspections across the offshore oil and gas industry resulting in high levels of compliance being recorded within the oil and gas regulated community.