Up to 10 tonnes of adult breeding Roe’s abalone will find new homes along Perth’s coast as part of a translocation project to protect the future sustainability of the fishery ahead of the Ocean Reef Marina development.
The project to move 100,000 Roe’s abalone from the area around the Ocean Reef Marina development site has already seen about 68,000 abalone relocated to other reef platforms within the Marmion Marine Park.
The remaining abalone will be relocated between Trigg and Hillarys prior to work starting on the marina development later this year.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is co-ordinating the project in collaboration with commercial abalone divers who collect the prized shellfish.
The department has worked closely with the West Coast Abalone Divers Association to maximise the success of the translocation.
DevelopmentWA is developing Ocean Reef Marina in collaboration with the City of Joondalup.
The development has already undergone a Public Environmental Review, the highest level of environmental assessment, and been granted conditional approval to proceed.
Some of the conditions imposed included:
- development of monitoring and management plans to minimise any impacts to marine water quality outside the marina and adjacent beaches;
- translocation of Roe’s abalone; and
- measures to improve the management and protection of similar marine nearshore habitats in the Marmion Marine Park.
The McGowan Government has committed $120 million for the marina over the life of the project, which is expected to generate more than $500 million in private sector investment and create more than 900 local jobs.
For more information, visit https://developmentwa.com.au/oceanreefmarina
As stated by Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley:
“The McGowan Government recognises the value of our fisheries and works hard to protect the future sustainability of those resources for generations to come.
“Almost 50 tonnes of Roe’s abalone are taken annually by commercial and recreational fishers from the Perth fishery.
“Perth metropolitan Roe’s abalone commercial fishery accounts for 25 direct jobs and approximately 24 tonnes of the State’s total catch with a beach price value of $600,000.
“The translocation project is a fine example of government and industry working together to responsibly manage our valuable abalone resource to ensure stocks remain sustainable.
“DPIRD will conduct ongoing monitoring of the translocation project, including how the adult abalone adapt to the new habitat and if there is an increase in numbers of juvenile abalone in the relocated areas.”
As stated by Lands Minister Ben Wyatt:
“The new Ocean Reef Marina will be a significant destination for Western Australians and tourists, and a key economic driver for the region with the creation of hundreds of new jobs.
“The project is set to become a new hub for commercial, recreational and residential activity on the coast, with capacity for 550 boat pens, 200 boat stackers and a diverse mix of more than 1,000 new homes.
“The McGowan Government will deliver this transformative project at the same time as ensuring it is done in an environmentally responsible and sensitive way.
“The relocation of abalone stocks is an important step in this process, and a great demonstration of the measures taken to ensure our unique coastal environment is properly protected and managed.”
Fisheries Minister’s office – 6552 5300
Lands Minister’s office – 6552 5900
Link to abalone translocation .mp4 file – https://drive.google.com/file/d/14zjgGqvzgn6Awt6Qugp6rlPJPynY9o6i/view?usp=sharing
Abalone translocation Apple Pro Res format –
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qLjEVXuoRZOgsqvB2-UrrRKdiLfMC8aw/view?usp=sharing
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