❓ Hon. Sophie McNeill questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding a disease outbreak and mass barramundi deaths at Tassal's Cone Bay sea cage operation. The Minister provides dates, actions taken by DPIRD, and clarifies communication with traditional owners and operational status.
AnsweredQoN 1022Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Barramundi mortalities
1022. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Minister for
Fisheries :
I refer to Tassal's
barramundi sea cage operation in Cone Bay on the Kimberley coast and the recent
disease outbreak and mass barramundi deaths.
(1) What date did the outbreak and mass deaths
commence?
(2) What date was the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development made aware of the outbreak and mass deaths
and who informed DPIRD?
(3) What actions did DPIRD take upon becoming
aware of the mass deaths?
(4) Did DPIRD inform
traditional owners immediately upon learning of the mass deaths and, if not,
why not?
(5) Have Tassal's operations been suspended and, if
not, why not?
1022. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Minister for
Fisheries :
I refer to Tassal's
barramundi sea cage operation in Cone Bay on the Kimberley coast and the recent
disease outbreak and mass barramundi deaths.
(1) What date did the outbreak and mass deaths
commence?
(2) What date was the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development made aware of the outbreak and mass deaths
and who informed DPIRD?
(3) What actions did DPIRD take upon becoming
aware of the mass deaths?
(4) Did DPIRD inform
traditional owners immediately upon learning of the mass deaths and, if not,
why not?
(5) Have Tassal's operations been suspended and, if
not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Tassal experienced a period of elevated
mortalities through October.
(2) Reports were made by Tassal in early October
in accordance with regulatory requirements.
(3) The Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development attended the Cone Bay site and is working closely with
Tassal veterinarians to prevent further mortality occurrence. DPIRD confirmed
that all affected fish were being removed and managed appropriately in
accordance with regulatory requirements, which included that all mortalities
were disposed of appropriately at approved waste management facilities.
(4) Traditional owners and other community
stakeholders were informed by Tassal.
(5) No. Some level of fish mortality is a normal
part of aquaculture operations.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Tassal experienced a period of elevated
mortalities through October.
(2) Reports were made by Tassal in early October
in accordance with regulatory requirements.
(3) The Department of Primary Industries and
Regional Development attended the Cone Bay site and is working closely with
Tassal veterinarians to prevent further mortality occurrence. DPIRD confirmed
that all affected fish were being removed and managed appropriately in
accordance with regulatory requirements, which included that all mortalities
were disposed of appropriately at approved waste management facilities.
(4) Traditional owners and other community
stakeholders were informed by Tassal.
(5) No. Some level of fish mortality is a normal
part of aquaculture operations.
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