FISHERIES — ABALONE — OCEAN REEF MARINA

1380. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Fisheries:

I refer to the potential impacts of the proposed Ocean Reef Marina on the abalone stock of the in-shore reef to the north of the facility, and I ask:

(a)  is the Minister aware that this reef comprises approximately 40 percent of the metropolitan abalone stock; and

(b)  should the reef suffer a catastrophic collapse of abalone stock as per previous marina builds in Western Australia, how does the Minister anticipate managing the approximately 17,000 recreational abalone licences in the State?

Hon Alannah MacTiernan replied:

(a)  Yes.

(b)  Noting there is no evidence from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of previous marina builds having caused catastrophic collapses in Abalone stocks, any changes to the management of the recreational abalone fishery that are required to address stock related issues will be developed in accordance with the Abalone Resource of Western Australia Harvest Strategy 2016–2021 in liaison with relevant stakeholders.

The harvest strategy outlines how appropriate catch levels for this resource are adjusted based on any shifts in stock status.

 

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