❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Gorgon project's Quarantine Expert Panel and the management of Didemnum perlucidum, an invasive marine species, is addressed by the Minister. The response outlines actions taken and planned, including the formation of a working group and a regional strategy.
AnsweredQoN 814Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GORGON
PROJECT — QUARANTINE EXPERT PANEL
814. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to paragraph 4.2 on page 2 of the 20 November 2012
meeting minutes for the Quarantine Expert Panel established as an environmental
condition of the Gorgon project.
(1) In
relation to the request from the Minister for Environment for further advice
and minimising environmental impacts —
(a) what was the outcome of that
advice;
(b) how serious is the environmental
impact; and
(c) what action has been taken?
(2) In relation to the reference to
a regional strategy being required from lead government agencies —
(a) has a regional strategy been
developed;
(b) if so, what is it; and
(c) if not, why not?
(3) In relation
to the reference to the Department of Fisheries being unable to provide a paper
due to the matters still being discussed by government, what was the outcome of
those discussions?
PROJECT — QUARANTINE EXPERT PANEL
814. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to paragraph 4.2 on page 2 of the 20 November 2012
meeting minutes for the Quarantine Expert Panel established as an environmental
condition of the Gorgon project.
(1) In
relation to the request from the Minister for Environment for further advice
and minimising environmental impacts —
(a) what was the outcome of that
advice;
(b) how serious is the environmental
impact; and
(c) what action has been taken?
(2) In relation to the reference to
a regional strategy being required from lead government agencies —
(a) has a regional strategy been
developed;
(b) if so, what is it; and
(c) if not, why not?
(3) In relation
to the reference to the Department of Fisheries being unable to provide a paper
due to the matters still being discussed by government, what was the outcome of
those discussions?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) (a) The
outcome of the advice was for the Department of Fisheries to form a working
group with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Office of the
Environmental Protection Authority and Chevron to consider the feasibility of
managing Didemnum perlucidum in
Barrow Island waters. The working group is to report through the Quarantine
Expert Panel.
(b) The
potential for environmental impact from D.
perlucidum is considered serious, with indications that the tropical
species is successful in temperate environments and has been recorded to
significantly impact on aquaculture industry—that is, pearl and mussel
farming—and natural communities, seagrass communities. A research paper
discussing the potential environmental impacts of D . perlucidum is about to
be published by the Department of Fisheries.
(c) The
Department of Fisheries is establishing a working group—see (1)(a)
above—with representatives from the Department of Parks and Wildlife,
the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority, the Quarantine Expert
Panel, Chevron and the Department of Fisheries.
(2) (a) Yes, the
Department of Fisheries' approach is to seek to control the spread of D. perlucidum in protectable, high-value
marine assets, such as marine management areas and aquaculture sites.
(b) Please refer
to (2)(a).
(c) Not
applicable.
Several members interjected.
Hon HELEN MORTON : It is very straightforward, Mr President.
The answer continues —
(3) A research
report, incorporating all these matters, is due to be published soon.
I would advise
anybody who wants to read this information in detail to have a look in Hansard tomorrow.
of the question.
(1) (a) The
outcome of the advice was for the Department of Fisheries to form a working
group with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Office of the
Environmental Protection Authority and Chevron to consider the feasibility of
managing Didemnum perlucidum in
Barrow Island waters. The working group is to report through the Quarantine
Expert Panel.
(b) The
potential for environmental impact from D.
perlucidum is considered serious, with indications that the tropical
species is successful in temperate environments and has been recorded to
significantly impact on aquaculture industry—that is, pearl and mussel
farming—and natural communities, seagrass communities. A research paper
discussing the potential environmental impacts of D . perlucidum is about to
be published by the Department of Fisheries.
(c) The
Department of Fisheries is establishing a working group—see (1)(a)
above—with representatives from the Department of Parks and Wildlife,
the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority, the Quarantine Expert
Panel, Chevron and the Department of Fisheries.
(2) (a) Yes, the
Department of Fisheries' approach is to seek to control the spread of D. perlucidum in protectable, high-value
marine assets, such as marine management areas and aquaculture sites.
(b) Please refer
to (2)(a).
(c) Not
applicable.
Several members interjected.
Hon HELEN MORTON : It is very straightforward, Mr President.
The answer continues —
(3) A research
report, incorporating all these matters, is due to be published soon.
I would advise
anybody who wants to read this information in detail to have a look in Hansard tomorrow.
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