Algal Bloom

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:12): Supplementary:

1. Can the minister advise how the mortalities at the SARDI West Beach facility have impacted the snapper breeding restocking program?

2. Is it true that there are current spawning issues with that snapper program?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: What was the first part of the question?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ben Hood, repeat your question, please.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: Can the minister advise how the mortalities at the SARDI West Beach facility have impacted the snapper restocking program?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:13): I thank the honourable member for his supplementary question; however, I think it is a previous question. If I recall correctly, he asked me the last sitting week, or perhaps the one before, or someone from the opposition did, in regard to that and I agreed to take that on notice.

I think it is important, though, to be conscious of the different conditions that are necessary; for example, in terms of the snapper breeding program, fingerlings will only be released into certain environmental conditions and in certain seasons. Therefore, that breeding continues and we look forward to being able to assist—particularly once the harmful algal bloom has passed, as we certainly all hope it will sooner rather than later—in continuing those stocking programs.