❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinises the Tassal Barramundi sea cage operation in Cone Bay, Kimberley, focusing on compliance, mortality events, regulatory oversight, and potential conflicts of interest related to DPIRD's dual role as promoter and regulator. The response indicates compliance, confidentiality regarding mortality details, and DPIRD's commitment to sustainable aquaculture development.
AnsweredQoN 1161Legislative Council
Asked
11 December 2025
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the the Tassal Barramundi sea cage operation in Cone Bay, Kimberley. At Budget Estimates hearings, the question on the number of compliance visits done on that operation in the last financial year was placed on notice (supplementary information number A1). : (a) as it related to the compliance visits under taken, were any non-compliances (or potential non-compliances) or any breaches (or potential breaches) identified; (b) if yes to (a), what were those potential/non-compliances or potential/breaches; (c) if yes to (a), what action was taken by the Department in relation to each of the potential/non-compliances or potential/breaches identified above; (d) if yes to (a), has the Tassal addressed any actual or potential non-compliances or breaches, and if so in what way; (e) did any reportable or recordable mortality events occur at the sea cage operation in 2024-25; (f) if yes to (e), please provide information on scale, impacts and outcomes; (g) how many compliance officers does DPIRD have on its staff; (h) how many compliance officers are based in the Kimberley; (i) how many compliance site inspections does DPIRD plan to carry out at Cone Bay annually; (j) how many compliance site inspections have been carried out in each of the following years (including prior to Tassal's take over of operations): (i) 2024-2025; (ii) 2023-2024; (iii) 2022-2023; (iv) 2021-2022; and (v) 2020-2019; (k) given Tassal's proposal to expand its operations across a far larger and even more remote area of the Kimberley coast, has DPIRD budgeted for a potential significant increase in regulatory and compliance effort over coming years, if the proposal is approved; (l) if no to (k), why not; (m) how does DPIRD balance its role as both promoter of and advocate for projects like Tassal's barramundi sea cage operation in the Kimberley with its role as primary regulator of such operations; (n) in relation to (m), does DPIRD acknowledge a conflict of interest and how does it address this conflict of interest; (o) given that DPIRD was the primary proponent for and advocate of the Kimberley Aquaculture Development Zone(KADZ), which is where the Cone Bay sea cages are located, does DPIRD now support Tassal's effective rejection of that zone in favour of barramundi sea cages spread across a much larger and more remote part of the Kimberley coast, including Mayala Marine Park; and (p) does DPIRD now regret its promotion of the KADZ or did it always see the establishment of the zone as a starting point for expansion of industrial sea cages across a much larger area of the world-renowned Kimberley coast and marine environment?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
Response time
5 days
(a) No.
(b-d) Not applicable.
(e) Yes - Some level of fish mortality is a normal part of aquaculture and, consequently, pursuant to licence conditions, aquaculture operators are required to report on any significant or unusually high levels of fish mortality.
(f) This information is confidential under Section 250 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 . While records relating to mortalities are confidential, Tassal publishes survival rates in its annual sustainability reports, which are publicly available. Most aquaculture farms aim for approximately 90% survival from stocking to harvest. For 2024, the survival rates for the Cone Bay operation were 93.77%.
(g) 110.
(h) 20.
(i) The rate of compliance inspections is determined based on risk and available intelligence. The timing and frequency of compliance activities are not disclosed for operational reasons. There have been 2 compliance checks on the operation this financial year to date as at 11 December 2025 – Tassal was found to be compliant in both instances.
(j) (i) 0 – however, an inspection was completed in July 2025.
(ii) 1
(iii) 2
(iv) 2
(v) 3
(k) DPIRD maintains a regular presence in the Buccaneer Archipelago area as part of its broader role in respect of recreational and commercial fishing compliance, and to support management outcomes for Kimberley marine parks. This will support effective management of aquaculture activities in the region going forward.
(l) Not applicable.
(m-n) DPIRD does not advocate for specific operators or proponents. DPIRD supports the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in Western Australia, which includes administering a regulatory framework. The Environmental Protection Authority independently assesses significant aquaculture proposals.
(o) DPIRD does not engage in, business decisions of operators or proponents.
(p) Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZs) have been implemented through identifying areas suitable for aquaculture subject to strategic environmental approvals. This does not prevent proponents from identifying areas outside ADZs and pursuing their own environmental approvals.
(b-d) Not applicable.
(e) Yes - Some level of fish mortality is a normal part of aquaculture and, consequently, pursuant to licence conditions, aquaculture operators are required to report on any significant or unusually high levels of fish mortality.
(f) This information is confidential under Section 250 of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 . While records relating to mortalities are confidential, Tassal publishes survival rates in its annual sustainability reports, which are publicly available. Most aquaculture farms aim for approximately 90% survival from stocking to harvest. For 2024, the survival rates for the Cone Bay operation were 93.77%.
(g) 110.
(h) 20.
(i) The rate of compliance inspections is determined based on risk and available intelligence. The timing and frequency of compliance activities are not disclosed for operational reasons. There have been 2 compliance checks on the operation this financial year to date as at 11 December 2025 – Tassal was found to be compliant in both instances.
(j) (i) 0 – however, an inspection was completed in July 2025.
(ii) 1
(iii) 2
(iv) 2
(v) 3
(k) DPIRD maintains a regular presence in the Buccaneer Archipelago area as part of its broader role in respect of recreational and commercial fishing compliance, and to support management outcomes for Kimberley marine parks. This will support effective management of aquaculture activities in the region going forward.
(l) Not applicable.
(m-n) DPIRD does not advocate for specific operators or proponents. DPIRD supports the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in Western Australia, which includes administering a regulatory framework. The Environmental Protection Authority independently assesses significant aquaculture proposals.
(o) DPIRD does not engage in, business decisions of operators or proponents.
(p) Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZs) have been implemented through identifying areas suitable for aquaculture subject to strategic environmental approvals. This does not prevent proponents from identifying areas outside ADZs and pursuing their own environmental approvals.
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