Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

(South Australia) (): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. My question is about dolphin and sea lion deaths in Commonwealth waters off South Australia. I refer the minister to a 2010 report by the South Australian Research and Development Institute, SARDI, Mitigating seal interactions in the southern rock lobster fishery and the gillnet sector of the southern and eastern scalefish and shark fishery in South Australia.an estimated 256 sea lions are killed each year within these fisheries. The Humane Society International, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the Conservation Council of South Australia, the Wilderness Society and the Australian Marine Conservation Society have all called for an immediate ban on the use of gillnets in these fisheries to prevent these deaths and to support the ecology and tourism industries in areas such as the sea lion colonies of Kangaroo Island. Will the government consider such a ban?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think Senator Wright for her question. I am aware of the Humane Society International and four other conservation groups which are calling for immediate cessation of gillnets in the southern and eastern scalefish and shark fishery in Commonwealth waters. Australia has some of the best managed fisheries in the world. The Gillard government is committed to ensuring the long-term protection of biodiversity in the marine environment. Interaction with which protected marine species in all fishery sectors are taken seriously by this government. The Australian Fisheries and Management Authority, AFMA, has initiated new arrangements to better protect and monitor Australian sea lions, dolphins, seabirds and nontargeted shark species.

Turning specifically to sea lions, AFMA implemented the Australian Sea Lion Management Strategy on 1 July 2010 to reduce the risk of and improve the level of information about sea lion interaction in the gillnet hook and trap fishery. Advice on the implementation of the strategy is provided by a working group which comprises marine mammal experts and environment and fishing industry representatives. The strategy was strengthened in May 2011 to provide enhanced protection for sea lions and other threatened endangered and protected species. The strategy now includes significant area closures around each of the 48 colonies in South Australia totalling 18,500 square kilometres, a requirement that all boats fishing within the sea lion area are always independently monitored through either a camera system or an on-board scientific observer, regular reviews to assess the effectiveness of the strategy and closure of large areas of the fishery if predetermined levels of female sea lion mortalities are reached. (Time expired)

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The five conservation groups I mentioned are concerned that the Australian Fisheries Management Authority seems unwilling to share clear information about the number of dolphin deaths—13 dolphins apparently within the first three months of this year—and they are concerned that the failure to provide that information means that the scientific expertise is not necessarily available to adequately protect those creatures as well. Does the government have a response to that?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Specifically turning to dolphins, the government is aware of reports concerning dolphin mortalities in the gillnet fisheries. AFMA is taking steps to manage any impacts of fishing in accordance with its legislative objectives on marine mammals including dolphins. AFMA wrote to gillnet hook and trap fishery concession holders in March 2011 reminding them of their obligations to report—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! There is too much noise in the chamber.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In providing more information to Senator Wright and to those who are studying and conserving dolphins, AFMA wrote to the gillnet hook and trap fishery concession holders in March 2011 to remind them of their obligations and to report interactions with threatened, endangered and protected species. (Time expired)

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. Returning to the sea lions, given that the federal environment minister gave fisheries managers and the industry until 30 June 2010 to implement measures, including voluntary closure of fisheries, to enable the recovery of all Australian sea lion subpopulations, what measures to protect these animals, which are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, have been made to date? Are the measures in line with the best available scientific advice?

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wright for her second supplementary question. As I said in my primary answer to the question, I have outlined the strengthening of the strategy from 1 May 2011. In addition this strategy recognises that breeding females are the most important part of the population in terms of population growth. AFMA is reviewing the acceptable mortality levels for each colony given their varying size and status. AFMA remains proactive in ensuring and maintaining this species. And to ensure appropriate protection of sea lions, AFMA is also reviewing interaction thresholds in the fishery that would see access closed to gillnet fishers if predetermined levels were met. Since the start of the strategy in mid-2010 there have been three reported Australian sea lion mortalities. AFMA continues to work with marine mammal experts, other scientists, fisheries and, of course, environmental experts and industries to ensure that the Australian sea lions are properly protected. (Time expired)