❓ Hon. Sophie McNeill questions the Minister for Fisheries about the economic impact of climate change on WA's fisheries, following reports of fish deaths and the Sea Change Australia research. The Minister acknowledges a lack of specific cost modelling but highlights ongoing collaborative research.
AnsweredQoN 438Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Climate change—Fisheries
438. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Minister for
Fisheries:
I refer to media
reports that the ongoing marine heatwave has resulted in the deaths of tens of
thousands of fish along WA's coastline, and to the Sea Change Australia
research announcement made on 6 June 2025.
(1) Have any modelling or projections been done on
the cost that the impacts of climate change will have on the fisheries
industry?
(2) If yes to (1), what were the impacts and/or
the costs?
(3) What is the timeline for reporting on the Sea
Change Australia research?
438. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Minister for
Fisheries:
I refer to media
reports that the ongoing marine heatwave has resulted in the deaths of tens of
thousands of fish along WA's coastline, and to the Sea Change Australia
research announcement made on 6 June 2025.
(1) Have any modelling or projections been done on
the cost that the impacts of climate change will have on the fisheries
industry?
(2) If yes to (1), what were the impacts and/or
the costs?
(3) What is the timeline for reporting on the Sea
Change Australia research?
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development (DPIRD) is not aware of specific modelling or projections
on the overall cost of the impacts of climate change on the WA fishing
industry.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Sea Change Australia project is a
collaboration between state fisheries agencies, including DPIRD, and the Institute
for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania. The project
will involve stakeholder workshops with fishing sectors to share climate
science with fishers and co-develop the capacity of fisheries and seafood
industries to adapt. The project is due to be completed in 2028.
(Emergency
evacuation alarm system activated.)
Sitting suspended from 4:40 :01 pm to 5:00 :00 pm
The President: Members, thank you for your quick exit
and re-entry. Our standing orders require our question time to go for 30
minutes. We were approximately 10 minutes in when we evacuated so we will
continue for another 20 minutes. I think we were at Hon Dr Brad Pettitt.
Regional Development (DPIRD) is not aware of specific modelling or projections
on the overall cost of the impacts of climate change on the WA fishing
industry.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Sea Change Australia project is a
collaboration between state fisheries agencies, including DPIRD, and the Institute
for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania. The project
will involve stakeholder workshops with fishing sectors to share climate
science with fishers and co-develop the capacity of fisheries and seafood
industries to adapt. The project is due to be completed in 2028.
(Emergency
evacuation alarm system activated.)
Sitting suspended from 4:40 :01 pm to 5:00 :00 pm
The President: Members, thank you for your quick exit
and re-entry. Our standing orders require our question time to go for 30
minutes. We were approximately 10 minutes in when we evacuated so we will
continue for another 20 minutes. I think we were at Hon Dr Brad Pettitt.
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