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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1177 asked in the Legislative Council on 22 October 2020 by Hon Diane Evers

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

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.