❓ Hon. Darren West questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding fish deaths in Cockburn Sound, including potential causes, testing results, recreational safety, and fishing bans. The Minister provides updates on investigations, testing, and current safety advice.
AnsweredQoN 1411Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
COCKBURN
SOUND — FISH STOCK LOSSES
1411. Hon DARREN WEST to the Minister for
Fisheries:
I refer the death of over 700 fish
in Cockburn Sound during the period 19 November to 22 November 2015, inclusive.
(1) Have any
further fish deaths been recorded since 22 November; and, if there have been,
what are the latest details?
(2) Are
preliminary results available from the ChemCentre of samples taken; and, if so,
what do these results indicate?
(3) Will the minister table a copy
of the results; and, if not, why not?
(4) Is there a
temporary ban on fishing and/or other secondary recreation anywhere within
Cockburn Sound; and, if yes, what area is covered and how long is the ban in
place for?
(5) Is Cockburn Sound currently
considered safe for primary recreation activities such as swimming?
SOUND — FISH STOCK LOSSES
1411. Hon DARREN WEST to the Minister for
Fisheries:
I refer the death of over 700 fish
in Cockburn Sound during the period 19 November to 22 November 2015, inclusive.
(1) Have any
further fish deaths been recorded since 22 November; and, if there have been,
what are the latest details?
(2) Are
preliminary results available from the ChemCentre of samples taken; and, if so,
what do these results indicate?
(3) Will the minister table a copy
of the results; and, if not, why not?
(4) Is there a
temporary ban on fishing and/or other secondary recreation anywhere within
Cockburn Sound; and, if yes, what area is covered and how long is the ban in
place for?
(5) Is Cockburn Sound currently
considered safe for primary recreation activities such as swimming?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) There have
been recent reports of new deaths mostly involving blowfish between Mangles Bay
and the Causeway. These are being investigated and sampled today.
(2) Yes. We are
seeking expert interpretation of these results but there is nothing obvious
that might explain the cause of the incident.
(3) Results of summaries of testing
will be made available at a future date when testing is complete.
(4) No.
Current Department of Health advice is that the waters of the sound are safe
for recreation, including fishing. Closures are in place for demersal
scalefish, pink snapper and crabs as part of ongoing fisheries management
measures.
(5) Yes.
Current Department of Health advice is that the waters of the sound are safe
for recreation, including fishing.
(1) There have
been recent reports of new deaths mostly involving blowfish between Mangles Bay
and the Causeway. These are being investigated and sampled today.
(2) Yes. We are
seeking expert interpretation of these results but there is nothing obvious
that might explain the cause of the incident.
(3) Results of summaries of testing
will be made available at a future date when testing is complete.
(4) No.
Current Department of Health advice is that the waters of the sound are safe
for recreation, including fishing. Closures are in place for demersal
scalefish, pink snapper and crabs as part of ongoing fisheries management
measures.
(5) Yes.
Current Department of Health advice is that the waters of the sound are safe
for recreation, including fishing.
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