Question On Notice No. 1380 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 June 2018 by Hon Alison Xamon
Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Fisheries
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I
refer to the potential impacts of the proposed Ocean Reef Marina on the abalone
stock of the in-shore reef to the north of the facility, and I ask:
(a) is
the Minister aware that this reef comprises approximately 40 percent of the
metropolitan abalone stock; and
(b) should
the reef suffer a catastrophic collapse of abalone stock as per previous marina
builds in Western Australia, how does the Minister anticipate managing the
approximately 17,000 recreational abalone licences in the State?
Answered on 21 August 2018
(a) Yes.
(b) Noting there is no evidence from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of previous marina builds having caused catastrophic collapses in Abalone stocks, any changes to the management of the recreational abalone fishery that are required to address stock related issues will be developed in accordance with the Abalone Resource of Western Australia Harvest Strategy 2016-2021 in liaison with relevant stakeholders.
The harvest strategy outlines how appropriate catch levels for this resource are adjusted based on any shifts in stock status.