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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-17 Daily Xml
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GIANT CUTTLEFISH

The Hon. M. PARNELL (15:29): I thank the minister for her answer, much of which was the same as she gave back in June, but my supplementary question is: if the government does not know why the numbers of cuttlefish are dropping, how can it suspect that it is a natural variation when the numbers have gone from about 200,000 down to about 6,000 in two years? If the minister believes that fishing is having no impact on cuttlefish numbers, what possible harm can there be in closing that species to fishing pressure by declaring it to be a protected species and seeking commonwealth assistance to protect it under commonwealth law?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:30): The honourable member is just being silly. We have a team of scientists and other technical experts who have gone out and conducted research and monitoring, and they are continuing to do that. They have made an assessment and determination about the impact of fishing and have determined that there is very little fishing that occurs at present.

The Hon. M. Parnell: You could make sure there was no fishing if you banned it.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They are saying there is very little occurring and that it is not impacting on this phenomenon affecting the aggregation of cuttlefish, so why on earth would you go out and put in place changes where the scientists are saying it has no impact? I have a scientific background myself and—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: What science? Nursing?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: A degree in science is what I have. In fact, an honours degree in science is what I have, as well as a nursing qualification, but that is quite separate.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I will keep going while these interjections prevail.

The PRESIDENT: Which are out of order.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: My discipline is one of a scientific basis, and there is no evidence. In terms of variations, all I can do is go on the advice of scientists who say that there are a number of parameters that we know impact on cuttlefish. For instance, they understand that not so much the adult of the species but the eggs are quite susceptible to temperature change.

As I said, they are monitoring waters. They have not been able to determine whether there has in fact been any temperature change, but they are looking at those variables that they know this species is particularly sensitive to and are trying to determine whether they are having any impact on the reduction in the numbers.

I continue to encourage SARDI in their research and development. I continue to encourage them and ensure that there is provision for the monitoring that goes on. We will continue to take action, as I said, that is evidence based and that we know is going to have a real outcome in terms of affecting the outcome of this species, rather than some emotional kneejerk reaction.

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