Hon Rick Mazza asks the Minister for Fisheries about the extent and consequences of a fish kill event in Cockburn Sound. The Minister provides limited information due to an ongoing investigation.

AnsweredQoN 1416Legislative Council
Asked
1 December 2015
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

COCKBURN
SOUND — FISH STOCK LOSSES
1416. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Minister for
Fisheries:
Given the recovery of 700 prime
species fish from the beach and waters of Cockburn Sound more than 12 days ago
can the minister advise —
(1) The estimated
extent of fish stock losses when factoring in that many affected fish would
have sunk to the ocean floor or otherwise remain unrecovered?
(2) The possible
impacts on other marine and birdlife that may have been affected by the
consumption of affected fish?
(3) Any other long-term consequences
from the event?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The interesting thing is that the question is
shown as coming from Hon Darren West
to the Minister for Fisheries and that was the same as the last question as
well.
(1) It is not
possible to determine the full extent of fish loss beyond that which has been
observed and estimated. The current estimates based on observed evidence is in
the region of 1 000 fish of mixed species.
(2) There are no
reports from the Department of Parks and Wildlife of other wildlife being
affected and linked to this event.
(3) Given that
this event remains subject to an ongoing and active investigation to determine
a likely cause, it is not possible to forecast any long-term consequences at
this time.
Mr President, may
I give the answer to the other question as well?
The
PRESIDENT : You may.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more