A parliamentary question addresses the use of turtle exclusion devices on prawn trawlers in WA, their regulatory basis, and turtle mortality rates. The response indicates that while most prawn fisheries require these devices, the southwest trawl fishery is exempt due to low risk to turtles.

AnsweredQoN 1229Legislative Council
Asked
11 September 2003
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

With regard to the use of turtle exclusion devices on trawlers in WA prawn fisheries - (1) Are vessels required to be fitted with turtle exclusion devices? (2) If yes to (1), is this requirement under a regulation? (3) If no to (1), is it intended that they will be required to fit such devices? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) What is the mortality of turtles in WA as a result of prawn trawling? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(1) Are vessels required to be fitted with turtle exclusion devices? (2) If yes to (1), is this requirement under a regulation? (3) If no to (1), is it intended that they will be required to fit such devices? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) What is the mortality of turtles in WA as a result of prawn trawling? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(2) If yes to (1), is this requirement under a regulation? (3) If no to (1), is it intended that they will be required to fit such devices? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) What is the mortality of turtles in WA as a result of prawn trawling? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(3) If no to (1), is it intended that they will be required to fit such devices? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) What is the mortality of turtles in WA as a result of prawn trawling? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(4) If yes to (3), when? (5) What is the mortality of turtles in WA as a result of prawn trawling? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(5) What is the mortality of turtles in WA as a result of prawn trawling? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(1) Yes, except for the south west trawl managed fishery.  Turtles are not considered to be at significant risk in the waters of the south west trawl managed fishery and, as such, turtle exclusion devices are not required. (2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(2) No, it is by way of a condition of the individual managed fishery licences. (3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(3)-(4) Not applicable. (5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.
(5) Turtle exclusion devices have been very effective in virtually eliminating turtle captures in prawn and scallop trawl fisheries.  The data available to the Department of Fisheries indicates nil mortalities.

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