❓ Opposition asks about water quality in Cockburn Sound following a fish kill, referencing a 2014 report highlighting nutrient enrichment. The Minister responds that environmental quality standards were met and research is underway, maintaining that the Sound's overall health is improving.
AnsweredQoN 4909Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the advice in the State of the Cockburn Sound Report 2014 that, southern section of Cockburn Sound continues to show signs of nutrient enrichment. Both Chlorophyll ‘a’ and light attenuation guidelines were exceeded in this part of the Sound, and dissolved oxygen concentration was also below guideline levels on a number of occasions . and ask: (a) did the Minister request further investigations in regard to water quality in the southern part of the Sound, which coincides with the site of the recent fish kill; and (b) does the Minister still consider Cockburn Sound is in good ecological health?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 March 2016
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
(a) The Cockburn Sound Management Council advised me that while the Environmental Quality Guidelines for chlorophyll a, light attenuation coefficient and dissolved oxygen were exceeded, the relevant Environmental Quality Standards were met. The Council has approved a research grant to CSIRO to undertake an assessment of water column nitrogen trends in Cockburn Sound. The project will improve understanding of the importance of nitrogen inputs into the Sound as compared to recycled nitrogen already in the system.
(b) 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.
(b) 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.
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