WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER
FISHERY — WHALE INTERACTIONS
390. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the proposal by the
Western Rock Lobster Council to reduce pot numbers in the water during the
whale migration period, from 1 April to 31 October each year, to reduce whale
interactions.
(1) How many whale entanglements
from rock lobster pot lines were there in 2019?
(2) How many whales died as a result
of those entanglements?
(3) What government
initiatives are in place to assist the Western Australian crayfish industry to
reduce pot numbers in relation to reducing whale interactions?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I
thank the member for the question. The following information has been provided
to me by the Minister for Fisheries.
(1) There were
six confirmed whale entanglements in commercial western rock lobster fishery
gear in 2019.
(2) Nil.
(3) The Western
Rock Lobster Council, with the overwhelming support of its members, requested
the Minister for Fisheries to implement management changes in response to
COVID-19. These measures have been
announced, and the industry's mature and proactive approach in this
regard is recognised. Some of the measures may result in a shift of
fishing effort into the peak whale migration periods during 2020 and 2021. The
council is seeking to mitigate whale interactions in these periods through
management of pot usage. The government will continue to work with the council
and industry to ensure that the fishery meets its responsibilities in this
regard.