❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses increased shark sightings, monitoring methods, anecdotal evidence from fishers, and potential impacts on other fish species. The Minister acknowledges increased sightings due to enhanced surveillance and confirms anecdotal reports.
AnsweredQoN 8Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FISHERIES — SHARK SIGHTINGS
8. Hon
JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Fisheries:
I refer to Western Australia's
shark population.
(1) Has there been an increase in
the number of shark sightings in the past five years?
(2) How does the Department of
Fisheries monitor shark numbers in WA's waters?
(3) Has the
minister heard anecdotal evidence from fishers and boaties that they have
noticed larger numbers of sharks in recent years?
(4) What impact could an increase
in shark numbers have on other fish species such as demersal fish?
8. Hon
JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Fisheries:
I refer to Western Australia's
shark population.
(1) Has there been an increase in
the number of shark sightings in the past five years?
(2) How does the Department of
Fisheries monitor shark numbers in WA's waters?
(3) Has the
minister heard anecdotal evidence from fishers and boaties that they have
noticed larger numbers of sharks in recent years?
(4) What impact could an increase
in shark numbers have on other fish species such as demersal fish?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been
provided by the Minister for Fisheries.
(1) The number of
reported shark sightings has increased over the past five years. This is
primarily due to increased surveillance through the McGowan government's
shark hazard mitigation program, Surf Life Saving Western Australia's
helicopter patrols, shark tagging, reports of sightings from the public to
SLSWA, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, together with an
increased public awareness of sharks.
(2) DPIRD
conducts periodic stock assessments using catch, abundance surveys and other
data types to determine the population size and trend of a range of different
shark species.
(3) Yes.
(4) A wide range
of shark species exist in WA that form part of the natural ecosystem. Predation
by sharks on fish is one source of natural mortality for these species, which
is a normal by-product of a healthy functioning ecosystem.
thank the member for some notice of the question. The following answer has been
provided by the Minister for Fisheries.
(1) The number of
reported shark sightings has increased over the past five years. This is
primarily due to increased surveillance through the McGowan government's
shark hazard mitigation program, Surf Life Saving Western Australia's
helicopter patrols, shark tagging, reports of sightings from the public to
SLSWA, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, together with an
increased public awareness of sharks.
(2) DPIRD
conducts periodic stock assessments using catch, abundance surveys and other
data types to determine the population size and trend of a range of different
shark species.
(3) Yes.
(4) A wide range
of shark species exist in WA that form part of the natural ecosystem. Predation
by sharks on fish is one source of natural mortality for these species, which
is a normal by-product of a healthy functioning ecosystem.
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