The vulnerable Australian sea lion may not be listed as endangered under local laws due to issues with modelling the animal's numbers.
The Australian sea lion has been listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature for more than a decade.
But the local process to upgrade the animal's status is at a roadblock, as it requires population decline data looking back more than 30 years to form a decision.
The sea lion is "extremely difficult to monitor" as it breeds in remote and inaccessible places, senators have been told in Canberra on Monday.
Chair of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee, Helene Marsh, said the group was currently waiting to hear back from the South Australian and West Australian governments on the best way forward.
"What we are trying to establish is whether it is eligible to be listed as endangered and if that is the case that needs to be done by the additional modelling," Professor Marsh told a Senate estimates hearing.
If the appropriate modelling doesn't occur, then the Australian sea lion will remain listed as vulnerable, she added.
A decision is due by October next year, after being extended multiple times from the initial deadline of September last year.
There are estimated to be between 10,000 to 15,000 Australian sea lions.
The animal has been listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act since 2005 and a recovery plan is in place.
Australian Associated Press
