Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 4911

❓ Question addresses a recent fish kill in Cockburn Sound, inquiring about the ecological health of the Sound, advice from the Cockburn Sound Management Council, and planned actions to improve monitoring. The Minister's response indicates improving environmental quality and increased funding for monitoring.

AnsweredQoN 4911Legislative Assembly

Asked

16 February 2016

Member

Mr M. McGowan

Portfolio

Environment

QuestionView source ↗

In relation to the recent Cockburn Sound fish kill, I ask: (a) does the Minister consider the Cockburn Sound is in good ecological health; (b) what advice has the Cockburn Sound Management Council CSMC provided to the Minister on the recent fish kill; (c) will the Minister table the advice and if not, why not; and (d) what action does the Minister intend to take to improve the monitoring of the ecological health of the Sound in view of the consequences of the recent fish kill?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

15 March 2016

Responded by

Minister for Environment

Response time

28 days

(a) The Cockburn Sound Management Council reports annually to me on the health of Cockburn Sound. This assessment is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the State Environmental (Cockburn Sound) Policy. The latest report was published in June 2015 and presents the results of monitoring undertaken over the 2013–2014 monitoring period. The report concluded that, overall, the environmental quality of Cockburn Sound is improving over time.
(b) The Cockburn Sound Management Council is not the lead agency investigating the fish kill and has not provided advice to me.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) I recently approved The Department of Environment Regulation’s budget which includes over $1.1 million to support monitoring programs in Cockburn Sound over five years.

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