Question regarding consultation and potential threats to the Abrolhos Islands western rock lobster fishery due to oil and gas exploration acreage release. The Minister confirms consultation occurred and concerns were raised.

AnsweredQoN 110Legislative Council
Asked
12 June 2013
Portfolio
Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the release of the W13-20 acreage, adjacent to the Abrolhos Islands, for oil and gas exploration, and I ask:
(a) was the Minister or his department consulted by either the Department of Mines and Petroleum or State Development, or by the federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism prior to the release of the W13-20 or W13-19 acreage;
(b) if yes to (a), when, by whom and what was the Minister's or his department's response;
(c) if no to (a), is there a requirement for the Federal Government to consult with the relevant state departments prior to the release of acreage;
(d) does the Minister consider that oil and gas exploration poses a significant threat to the Abrolhos Islands western rock lobster fishery;
(e) if yes to (d), what are those threats;
(f) if no to (d), why not;
(g) if yes to (d), has the Minister or his department conveyed those concerns to the federal Minister or the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism;
(h) if yes to (g), what were the Minister or his department's concerns or comments; and
(i) if yes to (g), will the Minister table the correspondence to that effect?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
6 August 2013
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Fisheries
Response time
55 days
The Department of Fisheries advises:
(a) Yes
(b) The Department was informed and asked for comment on the
13 November 2012. The Department's response identified a list of potentially
affected fisheries, recommended additional consultation with the commercial and
recreational fishing sectors through their peak bodies and identified
environmental sensitive areas
(c) Not applicable
(d)
Potentially
(e) Refer (d) above
(f) Not applicable
(g)
Yes
(h) The Minister has advised the federal Minister

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