❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the bottlenose dolphin population in Koombana Bay, focusing on population figures, mortality rates, threats, and the potential impact of a proposed marina development. The response provides data and outlines conservation methods.
AnsweredQoN 978Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BOTTLENOSE
DOLPHINS — KOOMBANA BAY
978. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
(1) What was the last reported population figure for
bottlenose dolphins in Koombana Bay?
(2) How many bottlenose dolphins from Koombana Bay have reportedly
died since 2006?
(3) How many of these deaths have been attributed to boating
activities?
(4) How far is the proposed marina development at Koombana
Bay from the dolphin birthing site?
(5) Can the minister identify the threats to dolphins in
near-shore environments?
(6) Does the
minister agree that research to combine a spatial understanding of Koombana Bay
dolphin population and human use of the area is required in order to conduct a
risk assessment before the marina project proceeds?
(7) What conservation methods will be implemented to preserve
the dolphins and their birthing site?
DOLPHINS — KOOMBANA BAY
978. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
(1) What was the last reported population figure for
bottlenose dolphins in Koombana Bay?
(2) How many bottlenose dolphins from Koombana Bay have reportedly
died since 2006?
(3) How many of these deaths have been attributed to boating
activities?
(4) How far is the proposed marina development at Koombana
Bay from the dolphin birthing site?
(5) Can the minister identify the threats to dolphins in
near-shore environments?
(6) Does the
minister agree that research to combine a spatial understanding of Koombana Bay
dolphin population and human use of the area is required in order to conduct a
risk assessment before the marina project proceeds?
(7) What conservation methods will be implemented to preserve
the dolphins and their birthing site?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) A study
carried out through Murdoch University found the population of bottlenose
dolphins inhabiting Bunbury coastal and inland waters—including
Koombana Bay, Leschenault Inlet estuary and the inner and outer harbour—to
vary seasonally from 63 to 139. Ongoing research is being conducted by PhD
students at Murdoch University.
(2) Mortalities
recorded from Bunbury coastal and inshore waters—not confined to
Koombana Bay are: one in 2007; one in 2008; five in 2009; four in 2010; two in
2011; and one in 2013.
(3) One in
January 2010.
(4) There is
no birthing site in Koombana Bay; however the inner waters of Koombana Bay,
Bunbury harbour and the Leschenault Inlet estuary are considered important
breeding and nursery grounds for bottlenose dolphins.
(5) The
bottlenose dolphin is a common species that inhabits near-shore environments.
The main threats in the near-shore environment include boats and vessel
traffic, marine debris and environmental pollutants.
(6) Existing
data can be used for this purpose from the research group at Murdoch University
and at the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(7) Several
options have been raised for consideration, including boating or speed
restrictions in areas of high dolphin use, particularly known nursery areas; an
education program on awareness of dolphins in the Bunbury area and importance
of clean waterways; an increase in community awareness to encourage responsible
interactions with dolphins and compliance with regulations to protect dolphins;
and continued monitoring of the dolphin population to identify changes in
population demographics or habitat use based on anthropogenic activities.
(1) A study
carried out through Murdoch University found the population of bottlenose
dolphins inhabiting Bunbury coastal and inland waters—including
Koombana Bay, Leschenault Inlet estuary and the inner and outer harbour—to
vary seasonally from 63 to 139. Ongoing research is being conducted by PhD
students at Murdoch University.
(2) Mortalities
recorded from Bunbury coastal and inshore waters—not confined to
Koombana Bay are: one in 2007; one in 2008; five in 2009; four in 2010; two in
2011; and one in 2013.
(3) One in
January 2010.
(4) There is
no birthing site in Koombana Bay; however the inner waters of Koombana Bay,
Bunbury harbour and the Leschenault Inlet estuary are considered important
breeding and nursery grounds for bottlenose dolphins.
(5) The
bottlenose dolphin is a common species that inhabits near-shore environments.
The main threats in the near-shore environment include boats and vessel
traffic, marine debris and environmental pollutants.
(6) Existing
data can be used for this purpose from the research group at Murdoch University
and at the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(7) Several
options have been raised for consideration, including boating or speed
restrictions in areas of high dolphin use, particularly known nursery areas; an
education program on awareness of dolphins in the Bunbury area and importance
of clean waterways; an increase in community awareness to encourage responsible
interactions with dolphins and compliance with regulations to protect dolphins;
and continued monitoring of the dolphin population to identify changes in
population demographics or habitat use based on anthropogenic activities.
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