Key threatening processes are process that the Fisheries Scientific Committee determined adversely affects threatened species, populations or ecological communities or could cause species, populations or ecological communities that are not threatened to become threatened. Those listed to date include:

• The current shark meshing program in New South Wales waters

• The introduction of fish to fresh waters within a river catchment outside their natural range

• Removal of large woody debris from New South Wales rivers and streams

• Degradation of native riparian vegetation along New South Wales water courses

• Installation and operation of instream structures and other mechanisms that alter natural flow regimes of rivers and streams

• Introduction of non-indigenous fish and marine vegetation to the coastal waters of New South Wales

• Hook and line fishing in areas important for the survival of threatened fish species