❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding PFAS contamination in WA waters and its impact on recreational fishing and fish consumption. The Minister's response indicates limited direct action by the Fisheries department, relying on DWER as the lead agency.
AnsweredQoN 772Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FISHERIES —
PFAS CONTAMINATION
772. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the Waste avoidance
and resource recovery strategy 2030 , noting the vision that Western Australia
will become a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy in which human health
and the environment are protected from the impacts of waste.
(1) Given that
PFAS is leaching from operational and non-operational landfills very close to
the ocean, as well as being found at Herschel Lake on Rottnest Island, how is
the public made aware of the presence of PFAS in recreational waters where
recreational fishing is conducted?
(2) Is the
department of fisheries catching and testing low and high-order predator fish
in coastal areas, rivers, and lakes to test if PFAS is present, given that it
can bio-accumulate and biomagnify in some fish?
(3) If no to (2),
are there any systems in place to measure PFAS levels in fish caught and eaten
by recreational fishers in WA?
PFAS CONTAMINATION
772. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the Waste avoidance
and resource recovery strategy 2030 , noting the vision that Western Australia
will become a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy in which human health
and the environment are protected from the impacts of waste.
(1) Given that
PFAS is leaching from operational and non-operational landfills very close to
the ocean, as well as being found at Herschel Lake on Rottnest Island, how is
the public made aware of the presence of PFAS in recreational waters where
recreational fishing is conducted?
(2) Is the
department of fisheries catching and testing low and high-order predator fish
in coastal areas, rivers, and lakes to test if PFAS is present, given that it
can bio-accumulate and biomagnify in some fish?
(3) If no to (2),
are there any systems in place to measure PFAS levels in fish caught and eaten
by recreational fishers in WA?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Fisheries.
(1) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is the lead agency in managing
PFAS issues in Western Australia. The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will support DWER in communicating with relevant stakeholders should PFAS issues be identified in
Western Australian waters. DPIRD is not currently aware of PFAS issues in Western
Australian waters that would require action.
(2)–(3) No.
Western Australia does support national testing of seafood to support
commercial fishing and market access. DPIRD would work with DWER to respond
appropriately where elevated levels of PFAS are detected in the marine
environment.
of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the Minister
for Fisheries.
(1) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is the lead agency in managing
PFAS issues in Western Australia. The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will support DWER in communicating with relevant stakeholders should PFAS issues be identified in
Western Australian waters. DPIRD is not currently aware of PFAS issues in Western
Australian waters that would require action.
(2)–(3) No.
Western Australia does support national testing of seafood to support
commercial fishing and market access. DPIRD would work with DWER to respond
appropriately where elevated levels of PFAS are detected in the marine
environment.
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