❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond questions the state government on monitoring and responding to illegal Indonesian fishing boats off the Kimberley coast. The response outlines interagency collaboration and monitoring efforts, noting potential conservation risks.
AnsweredQoN 1251Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ILLEGAL FISHING BOATS — KIMBERLEY
1251. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the recent increase in
illegal fishing boats from Indonesia off the Kimberley coast.
(1) How is the state government
monitoring the conservation impact of the boats?
(2) On the basis of these monitoring
strategies, what conservation impact is being observed?
(3) What is the relative role of the
state and federal government in responding to the illegal vessels?
(4) What resources does the state
government have to respond to the illegal vessels?
1251. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the recent increase in
illegal fishing boats from Indonesia off the Kimberley coast.
(1) How is the state government
monitoring the conservation impact of the boats?
(2) On the basis of these monitoring
strategies, what conservation impact is being observed?
(3) What is the relative role of the
state and federal government in responding to the illegal vessels?
(4) What resources does the state
government have to respond to the illegal vessels?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1)–(4) Under
the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force, through the
Maritime Border Command, is the lead agency for dealing with foreign fishing
vessel activities. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
is actively involved in interagency collaboration through response planning and joint patrols with
commonwealth and other state government departments operating in the
Kimberley region. DBCA responds to reports of illegal fishing activity in
marine parks by travelling to the locations to confirm the reports and
notifying relevant authorities.
DBCA has undertaken monitoring of
the Rowley Shoals to investigate the impacts of foreign fishing vessels on
marine biodiversity. Anecdotal evidence suggests a decline in sea cucumber, or
trepang, across all three atolls that make up the Rowley Shoals Marine Park.
Illegal fishing vessels present a conservation risk with respect to fishing and
hunting pressure, impacts from reef walking on coral as well as the risk of
rubbish and illegal dumping. State resources are generally deployed to areas of
highest risk.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1)–(4) Under
the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force, through the
Maritime Border Command, is the lead agency for dealing with foreign fishing
vessel activities. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
is actively involved in interagency collaboration through response planning and joint patrols with
commonwealth and other state government departments operating in the
Kimberley region. DBCA responds to reports of illegal fishing activity in
marine parks by travelling to the locations to confirm the reports and
notifying relevant authorities.
DBCA has undertaken monitoring of
the Rowley Shoals to investigate the impacts of foreign fishing vessels on
marine biodiversity. Anecdotal evidence suggests a decline in sea cucumber, or
trepang, across all three atolls that make up the Rowley Shoals Marine Park.
Illegal fishing vessels present a conservation risk with respect to fishing and
hunting pressure, impacts from reef walking on coral as well as the risk of
rubbish and illegal dumping. State resources are generally deployed to areas of
highest risk.
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