Whale Migration

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister inform the chamber about what measures are in place to ensure that whales are protected during their migration through South Australian waters?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:18): I might try to pre-empt the supplementary from the Hon. Mr Brokenshire about what a great successful whale minister he was back in the day, protecting whales.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: He was the worst water minister we ever had.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I'm not sure the Hon. Mr Brokenshire was the worst water minister we ever had, Mr Ridgway. I am sure there are other Liberal ministers who were the worst water ministers in the world, other than Mr Brokenshire, but—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! If you want to waste question time, feel free to do it. But there are some members who actually want to ask a question who are going to be prevented from doing so because of the behaviour of some members of this parliament. Allow the minister to answer the question.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Thank you, sir, for your protection from this rowdy lot opposite. We are indeed fortunate here in our state that every year we get to witness the migration of the southern right whale along our coastline.

Whale season in South Australia, I am advised, generally runs from June through to October. During this period, we are visited primarily by southern right whales, but also occasionally sperm whales, humpbacks, blue whales and orcas—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: —as they move into the warmer waters off the South Australian coast to calve. Whales can be sighted along our coastline earlier, and this year is apparently has been no exception to that rule that is often broken. According to the Whale Centre whale sighting log, whales have already been seen in the Upper Spencer Gulf as early as late April. It is timely, then, that we remind South Australians and visitors about restrictions and temporary closures during whale season.

This includes the temporary closure of the Great Australian Bight Marine Reserve until 31 October 2016, in order to ensure the safe passage for southern right whales as they make their way north to their breeding areas, and to allow the animals to rest undisturbed whilst nursing their young. It is important, I am advised, that female whales are undisturbed while they nurse and raise their young calves, especially since female whales do not feed while they are doing this so will need to minimise their energy expenditure.

This is also why it is important that boat users keep their distances from migrating whales in the Upper Spencer Gulf. In particular, a boat must not move closer than 100 metres to a whale, or 300 metres if the whale has a calf or shows signs of distress. Of course, jet skis are not permitted within 300 metres of any marine mammal. It is everyone's responsibility, if they are in a boat, to maintain legal distances. If a whale happens to move within 300 metres of a vessel, then the person in control should maintain the vessel's position or move slowly away. Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, anyone found guilty of harassing a marine mammal faces fines up to $100,000 or two years' gaol, I am advised.

I am also advised that the Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources has 144 wardens or staff involved in compliance activities across the state. Primary Industries and Regions SA also has a further 40 fisheries officers located in regional centres along the South Australian coast. I am told that DEWNR officers are often the first to respond to reports—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.L. Brokenshire: I still love you, Peter.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I don't think I will get that on the record, Mr President.

The Hon. G.E. Gago: Minister Hunter almost threw up.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: No, I am very keen on manly expressions of passion. If the Hon. Mr Brokenshire wants to learn how to do that better, I am sure he can talk to the Hon. Kyam Maher and get a few lessons.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens: What does that mean?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, he is a compassionate man. I am told that DEWNR officers are often the first to respond to reports of compliance issues, or whale disentanglements or strandings. It is important to note that the public, along with researchers and tour operators, play an important role in the protection of our whales by acting as eyes and ears to provide immediate and crucial information to authorities.

More details about restrictions and regulation can be found on the Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula website, www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/eyrepeninsula. These regulations are in place to ensure the protection and safety of both the whales and the people using and enjoying our waters. This is in line with our marine parks system that the state Labor government established here in South Australia with absolutely no help from the Liberal Party, who do not believe in marine parks or protecting our marine environment.

The creation of our marine parks network continues to be one of the most significant conservation programs ever undertaken in this state, and the network is integral to protecting nursery areas and other critical habitats that ensure strong and healthy marine life populations into the long term. I encourage everyone to respect these rules and take some time this whaling season to watch and appreciate these beautiful animals as they grace us with their presence once again this year.