Algal Bloom

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:12): My questions are for the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of the harmful algal bloom:

1. Can the minister confirm when her department first received confirmation that the species responsible for the harmful algal bloom is Karenia cristata, known to produce brevetoxins that are toxic to fish and humans?

2. Notwithstanding the Premier's very pointed assertion to ABC's Jules Schiller that the bloom is not toxic, will the minister now publicly acknowledge that this is a toxic bloom, given the scientific evidence that Karenia cristata produces brevetoxins?

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 question. I am happy to take on notice the first part of the question, but my advice is that the scientific paper was published on 3 November. Secondly, we have known for some time that brevetoxins have been present as a result of the harmful algal bloom. As I mentioned earlier in this place, the discovery of Karenia cristata doesn't change the health advice. It just puts a name to something that we knew was already there.