❓ Ms. Mettam asks about whale carcasses on WA shores from 2016-2018, including removal methods and beach closures. The Minister provides data on carcass numbers, removal, decomposition, and associated beach closures, noting data limitations due to the vast coastline.
AnsweredQoN 4280Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many whale carcasses washed up on or near Western Australian shores in 2016, 2017 and 2018 to date? (2) Of those listed in (1) how many whale carcasses were: (a) removed; (b) left to decompose; and (c) dragged out to sea? (3) Of those whale carcasses that were left to decompose, what was the location and how long did the beach remain closed for?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 November 2018
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Environment; Disability Services
Response time
8 days
(1)
2016
2017
2018 (YTD)
Number of carcasses 1
16
24
149
1 The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) maintains data on reported whale carcasses, with a focus on carcasses on lands and waters it manages, although this data includes carcasses reported on other tenures. Due to the vast extent and remoteness of the Western Australian coastline this data does not reflect all whale carcasses that wash up on State shores, only those known or reported to DBCA. The 2018 (YTD) figure includes a mass stranding of whales at Hamelin Bay, where 105 carcasses were removed by 24 March 2018.
(2) (a)
2016
2017
2018 (YTD)
Carcasses removed 2
7
15
132
2 Whale carcass management is the responsibility of the relevant land manager. DBCA endeavours to remove all whale carcasses that wash up on lands or waters it manages, when it is safe and feasible to do so.
(2) (b)
2016
2017
2018 (YTD)
Carcasses left in-situ
9
9
17
(2) (c)
No carcasses have been “dragged out to sea”. In 2016, DBCA towed a whale carcass approximately 400m to shore to enable safe removal to landfill.
(3)
Year
Location
Area closure
2016
Shark Bay
None recorded
2016
Gascoyne
None recorded
2016
Denmark
None recorded
2016
Geraldton
None recorded
2016
Gracetown
None recorded
2016
Gracetown
None recorded
2016
Yeagerup Beach
None recorded
2016
Ningaloo Marine Park
None recorded
2016
Augusta
None recorded
2017
West Kimberley
None recorded
2017
Shark Bay
None recorded
2017
Fremantle
None recorded
2017
80 Mile Beach
None recorded
2017
Warren Beach
None recorded
2017
Steep Point
None recorded
2017
D’Entrecasteaux National Park
None recorded
2017
Eco Beach
None recorded
2017
Garden Island
None recorded
2018
Hamelin Bay mass stranding (10 carcasses)
124 days
2018
Yallingup – Three Bears
74 days
2018
Karratha
14 days
2018
Sandy Cape
76 days
2018
Wyadup
66 days
2018
Leeman
None recorded
2018
Bush Bay
None recorded
2018
Guichenault Point
None recorded
2016
2017
2018 (YTD)
Number of carcasses 1
16
24
149
1 The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) maintains data on reported whale carcasses, with a focus on carcasses on lands and waters it manages, although this data includes carcasses reported on other tenures. Due to the vast extent and remoteness of the Western Australian coastline this data does not reflect all whale carcasses that wash up on State shores, only those known or reported to DBCA. The 2018 (YTD) figure includes a mass stranding of whales at Hamelin Bay, where 105 carcasses were removed by 24 March 2018.
(2) (a)
2016
2017
2018 (YTD)
Carcasses removed 2
7
15
132
2 Whale carcass management is the responsibility of the relevant land manager. DBCA endeavours to remove all whale carcasses that wash up on lands or waters it manages, when it is safe and feasible to do so.
(2) (b)
2016
2017
2018 (YTD)
Carcasses left in-situ
9
9
17
(2) (c)
No carcasses have been “dragged out to sea”. In 2016, DBCA towed a whale carcass approximately 400m to shore to enable safe removal to landfill.
(3)
Year
Location
Area closure
2016
Shark Bay
None recorded
2016
Gascoyne
None recorded
2016
Denmark
None recorded
2016
Geraldton
None recorded
2016
Gracetown
None recorded
2016
Gracetown
None recorded
2016
Yeagerup Beach
None recorded
2016
Ningaloo Marine Park
None recorded
2016
Augusta
None recorded
2017
West Kimberley
None recorded
2017
Shark Bay
None recorded
2017
Fremantle
None recorded
2017
80 Mile Beach
None recorded
2017
Warren Beach
None recorded
2017
Steep Point
None recorded
2017
D’Entrecasteaux National Park
None recorded
2017
Eco Beach
None recorded
2017
Garden Island
None recorded
2018
Hamelin Bay mass stranding (10 carcasses)
124 days
2018
Yallingup – Three Bears
74 days
2018
Karratha
14 days
2018
Sandy Cape
76 days
2018
Wyadup
66 days
2018
Leeman
None recorded
2018
Bush Bay
None recorded
2018
Guichenault Point
None recorded
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