Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 577 asked in the Legislative Council on 15 May 2014 by Hon Lynn Maclaren

Parliament: 39 Session: 1

SHARK DRUM LINE PROGRAM

577. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Fisheries:

I refer to question without notice 377 asked on 8 April 2014.

(1) Was Department of Fisheries director general Stuart Smith on board the Fisheries vessel PV Hamelin when it was involved in drum line operations off Perth on 20 March 2014?

(2) If yes to (1), in what capacity was Mr Smith on board?

(3) Did Mr Smith partake in drum lining operations that day, including handling fishing gear that had captured a tiger shark?

(4) Does Mr Smith meet your description of all drum line operators, in terms of being ''an experienced mariner'', who has ''worked with various forms of fishing gear across a wide range of fisheries'' and is ''familiar and experienced in using the fishing gear being used as part of the drum lining program and in the handling of sharks and other marine fauna'' and has Mr Smith ''received formal training'' in operating the drum lines?

(5) If no to (4), why was Mr Smith observed handling fishing gear, including a captured shark, on the PV Hamelin on 20 March 2014?

Hon KEN BASTON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.

(1)–(5) Mr Smith accompanied the PV Hamelin crew while it conducted some of the drum line operations off Perth on 20 March 2014. He was on board the vessel to observe the process and gain a better understanding of the operations. Mr Smith participated in the drum line operations on 20 March 2014 to the extent that he threw the gaffe on occasions that was used to retrieve the drum lines. He has performed this role on occasions with other fishing operations.