❓ Hon. Sophie McNeill questions the Minister for the Environment regarding the impact of a recent marine heatwave on coral reefs, particularly Rowley Shoals, and requests information on reports, briefings, and updates provided to community groups and businesses. The Minister acknowledges the impacts and details briefings and statements made.
AnsweredQoN 541Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Marine heatwave—Coral bleaching
541. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Minister for the
Environment:
I refer to recent
reports on the record-breaking marine heatwave that, among other things, has
resulted in the death of up to 90% of coral at the Rowley Shoals.
(1) Has the minister received any reports or
briefings on the condition of Scott and/or Seringapatam Reefs, the Rowley
Shoals and/or all other areas impacted by the recent marine heatwave?
(a) If yes, will the minister table these reports
or briefings?
(2) Has the minister, the department and/or their
representatives provided an update on the impacts of the marine heatwave to
community groups or business operators, and:
(a) if yes, who were these updates provided to and
when were they provided; and
(b) if not, why not and when is the minister or
the department intending to provide updates to those impacted?
541. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Minister for the
Environment:
I refer to recent
reports on the record-breaking marine heatwave that, among other things, has
resulted in the death of up to 90% of coral at the Rowley Shoals.
(1) Has the minister received any reports or
briefings on the condition of Scott and/or Seringapatam Reefs, the Rowley
Shoals and/or all other areas impacted by the recent marine heatwave?
(a) If yes, will the minister table these reports
or briefings?
(2) Has the minister, the department and/or their
representatives provided an update on the impacts of the marine heatwave to
community groups or business operators, and:
(a) if yes, who were these updates provided to and
when were they provided; and
(b) if not, why not and when is the minister or
the department intending to provide updates to those impacted?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question.
(1) I am aware of coral bleaching and other
impacts of the marine heatwave throughout the Kimberley, Pilbara and northern
Gascoyne waters, including at the offshore atolls of Scott and Seringapatam Reefs
and the Rowley Shoals. I have also seen coral bleaching for myself at Ningaloo
in recent weeks.
(a) I am briefed in person as required. I do not
have any reports to table.
(2) Yes. DBCA scientists and marine park
coordinators have provided numerous briefings and presentations to community
groups and other stakeholders. I also, on 29 April 2025, updated the Western
Australian community by way of a ministerial statement on the marine heatwave to
this chamber.
(a) Between March and August 2025, Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions staff have briefed: Ningaloo and
Lalang-gaddam Marine Parks joint management bodies; the Conservation and Parks Commission; WA Australian
Marine Science Association general meeting; the Shire of Ashburton; Chevron
Wheatstone LNG plant leadership team; the Ningaloo World Heritage Committee;
the Annual Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference; the State
Emergency Management Committee; and Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and yourself
through my office.
DBCA has given public talks in
Karratha, Coral Bay and Exmouth, which were attended by members of the public,
school students and commercial tour operators, and undertaken multiple media
interviews with, and provided responses to the ABC, the BBC, The Guardian and Greenauve online news.
On 12 August 2025, DBCA
co-hosted the WA Marine Heatwave Symposium with the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development and the Australian Institute of Marine
Science, followed by a public talk and panel discussion that was also live
streamed.
(b) Not applicable.
The President: I take the opportunity to remind the
minister that answers also need to be concise.
for some notice of the question.
(1) I am aware of coral bleaching and other
impacts of the marine heatwave throughout the Kimberley, Pilbara and northern
Gascoyne waters, including at the offshore atolls of Scott and Seringapatam Reefs
and the Rowley Shoals. I have also seen coral bleaching for myself at Ningaloo
in recent weeks.
(a) I am briefed in person as required. I do not
have any reports to table.
(2) Yes. DBCA scientists and marine park
coordinators have provided numerous briefings and presentations to community
groups and other stakeholders. I also, on 29 April 2025, updated the Western
Australian community by way of a ministerial statement on the marine heatwave to
this chamber.
(a) Between March and August 2025, Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions staff have briefed: Ningaloo and
Lalang-gaddam Marine Parks joint management bodies; the Conservation and Parks Commission; WA Australian
Marine Science Association general meeting; the Shire of Ashburton; Chevron
Wheatstone LNG plant leadership team; the Ningaloo World Heritage Committee;
the Annual Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference; the State
Emergency Management Committee; and Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and yourself
through my office.
DBCA has given public talks in
Karratha, Coral Bay and Exmouth, which were attended by members of the public,
school students and commercial tour operators, and undertaken multiple media
interviews with, and provided responses to the ABC, the BBC, The Guardian and Greenauve online news.
On 12 August 2025, DBCA
co-hosted the WA Marine Heatwave Symposium with the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development and the Australian Institute of Marine
Science, followed by a public talk and panel discussion that was also live
streamed.
(b) Not applicable.
The President: I take the opportunity to remind the
minister that answers also need to be concise.
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