Question On Notice No. 1382 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 abalone stocks in Western Australia, and I ask:
(a) is the Mininster aware that:
(i) abalone
stocks in the reef to the north of Two Rocks marina collapsed after the
construction of that facility;
(ii) abalone stocks immediately north of the existing
Ocean Reef harbour breakwater collapsed after the construction of that facility;
(iii) impacts
to the abalone stocks to the north of Mindarie Quay were anticipated for up to
200m after the construction of that facility;
(iv) is
the Minister further aware that the entire 1.2km of reef is not viable for
commercial abalone fishing due to the collapse of abalone stocks; and
(v) is
the Minister further aware that there has been no recovery of abalone stocks on
that reef more than 30 years after the construction of Mindarie Quay:
(A) have
any studies have been conducted to understand what happened to the abalone
population on this reef?
(B) if
yes to (a)(v)(A), will the Minister please table any such studies?
(C) if
no to (a)(v)(A), why not?
(D) if no to (a)(v)(B), why not?
Answered on 21 August 2018
(a)
(i) No. The Two Rocks Marina was constructed in 1973 and the Department does not have any records to indicate the impact of Marina construction on abalone stocks. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Department) monitoring of this area indicates that some recreational abalone fishing is undertaken in this area.
(ii) No. Department monitoring indicates the waters immediately north of the Ocean Reef harbour breakwater supports a sustainable abalone population and has been a popular recreational abalone fishing location since at least 2000.
(iii) No. The Department does not have any records to indicate the predicted development impacts of the Mindarie Quay on Roe’s abalone stocks in this area.
(iv) Department records from the region that includes Mindarie Quay indicates commercial abalone catch increased in the ten years post construction of Mindarie Quay compared to the ten years prior to construction. Departmental monitoring of this reef since 2004 also indicates that the reef north of Mindarie Quay supports a sustainable abalone population and is a popular area for recreational abalone fishers.
(v) No. Department monitoring since 2004 on the reef north of Mindarie Quay indicates it supports a sustainable abalone population and is a popular recreational fishing location.
(A) This reef is one of 17 abalone survey sites used to monitor Roe’s abalone stock status in Perth metropolitan waters which informs the annual stock assessment for Roe’s abalone stock within the Perth Metropolitan Area. Annual monitoring and stock assessments of Roe’s abalone indicate a sustainable Roe’s abalone population exists on this reef.
(B) The stock status of Roe’s abalone in Perth metropolitan waters was published as part of Hart, A., Strain, L., Hesp, A., Fisher, E., Webster, F., Brand-Gardner, S. and Walters, S. (2017). Marine Stewardship Council Full Assessment Report Western Australian Abalone Managed Fishery. Department of Fisheries, Western Australia. 288pp.
(C) Not applicable.
(D) Not applicable.