WEST COAST DEMERSAL
SCALEFISH RESOURCE
725. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the potential nine-month
ban to be imposed annually on recreational fishers to manage stocks of demersal
scalefish in the west coast bioregion.
(1) Has the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development met with the Westport
Taskforce to discuss the potential impact of the outer harbour development on
demersal species in Cockburn Sound?
(2) If yes to (1), when did those
meetings occur?
(3) What were the outcomes of those
meetings?
Hon KYLE
McGINN replied:
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Fisheries.
(1) DPIRD aquatic
science and assessment staff have been fully engaged with the Westport project
since late 2018, providing expert scientific advice on fish and fisheries in
Cockburn Sound, including demersal species. Input to the Westport project has
included DPIRD taking a lead role in development of the Westport–Western
Australian Marine Science Institution marine science program, including leading
the fisheries and aquatic resources theme.
(2) DPIRD has
been represented on the Westport Environmental and Social Program Steering
Committee and Coordinating Committee bimonthly since 2020. DPIRD is also
represented on the Westport-WAMSI senior leadership team that has oversight of
over 30 projects currently underway in Cockburn Sound.
(3) Environmental
studies in Cockburn Sound are currently underway, including several projects
being led by DPIRD investigating potential effects of port development and operation
on pink snapper and other key fisheries species.