DOLPHINS —
KOOMBANA BAY
1177. Hon
DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the minister's
response to question without notice 134 on 20 February 2020 and note that the
scientific paper titled ''Food-provisioning negatively affects calf
survival and female reproductive success in bottlenose dolphins''
published on 20 June 2019, which led to the Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions amending the provisioning program.
(1) Given that the paper refers to the fact that
research is hindered by a lack of long-term datasets, what is the government doing to rectify this, particularly
given the proposed expansion of the Koombana Bay marina?
(2) Can the minister confirm that data collection and
analysis is currently not being undertaken by Murdoch University on
behalf of the Dolphin Discovery Centre and DBCA; and, if yes, will the minister
provide funding for this essential research?
(3) Has a review
of the provisioning program been commenced; if no, why not; and, if yes, when
is it expected to be completed?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The scientific paper ''Food-provisioning
negatively affects calf survival and female reproductive success in bottlenose dolphins'' was based on data
collected by Murdoch University between 2007 and 2016 and records from
the Dolphin Discovery Centre since 2000. I am advised that this is considered a
long-term dataset.
(2) I am advised
that there is no current funding arrangement between the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
and Murdoch University to undertake data collection and analysis on this
matter.
(3) DBCA is
continuing to engage with the Dolphin Discovery Centre on its provisioning
program to inform a review.