Question Without Notice No. 514 asked in the Legislative Council on 5 September 2017 by Hon Diane Evers
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
PENGUIN COLONIES — PENGUIN AND GARDEN ISLANDS
514. Hon DIANE EVERS to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the little penguin colonies of Penguin and Garden Islands near Rockingham.
(1) Does the government agree with scientist Belinda Cannell that starvation and being struck by vessels are the two biggest threats to these penguins?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), what actions is the government taking to address these concerns?
(4) Can the minister provide any preliminary findings regarding the cause of death of the little penguin corpse found on a Safety Bay beach last week?
(5) Does the minister agree that the impact of the proposed Mangles Bay inland marina and housing estate at Point Peron will be the same on the little penguins who forage for food in Mangles Bay, regardless of whether canals are built as part of that development?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Transport recently gazetted a reduced speed limit of eight knots in Shoalwater Bay within the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. This reduced speed limit is intended to reduce the risk of boat strikes on little penguins, Australian sea lions and dolphins.
(4) The deceased penguin was examined by Perth Zoo and the necropsy report from this examination indicates bone fractures and injuries associated with blunt force trauma, most likely from a boat strike.
(5) There are existing impacts on marine fauna in this area due to vessel usage. Speed limits are in place along the foreshore around Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and Rockingham foreshore. These waters will continue to be monitored by government agency staff to inform management actions to reduce impacts on marine fauna.