The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) dictates that a native species is eligible to be included in the conservation dependent category at a particular time if, at that time, (a) the species is the focus of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered; or (b) the following subparagraphs are satisfied: (i) the species is a species of fish; (ii) the species is the focus of a plan of management that provides for management actions necessary to stop the decline of, and support the recovery of, the species so that its chances of long-term survival in nature are maximised; (iii) the plan of management is in force under a law of the Commonwealth or of a state or territory; and (iv) cessation of the plan of management would adversely affect the conservation status of the species.
