This WA parliamentary question seeks data on whale entanglements in western rock lobster fishing gear from 2002-2013. The answer provides the number of reported entanglements for each year, showing a concerning increase in 2012 and 2013.

AnsweredQoN 1612Legislative Assembly
Asked
5 December 2013
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

Can the Minister please advise: (a) how many interactions between whales and western rock lobster fishing operations have occurred, for each of the calendar years from 2002 to 2012; and (b) how many interactions between whales and western rock lobster fishing operations have occurred for the calendar year 2013 to date?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
19 February 2014
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries
Response time
76 days
(a)
The number of whales reported as being entangled in rock lobster fishing gear in each year from 2002 to 2012 as recorded by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW) was as follows:
2002
3
2003
2
2004
4
2005
0
2006
6
2007
1
2008
3
2009
1
2010
0
2011
6
2012
13
(b)
Department of Parks and Wildlife recorded 18 entanglements of whales in rock lobster fishing gear in 2013.

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