Animals

Minister confirms tiger sharks are not associated with fatalities in WA

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Thu, 27/02/2014 - 16:32

Media statement, Thursday 27 February, 2014.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren says the Fisheries Minister’s answers in Parliament this week confirm that tiger sharks – by far the main species killed on drum lines to date – have not been responsible for fatal attacks in WA.

“Despite his earlier claims to the contrary in media interviews, there has never been a confirmed fatality caused by a tiger shark in WA,” Ms MacLaren said.

“The Minister yesterday conceded this in Parliament stating: ‘Of the seven fatalities in Western Australia in the past three years, it is understood that several were confirmed white shark attacks and the remainder were suspected white shark attacks. However, tiger sharks have been associated with shark attacks in Western Australia and fatalities in the rest of Australia’.
Read more »

No WA Shark Cull

Read more »

Millions of farm animals better off as cages, sow stalls, beak trimming banished in ACT

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Tue, 25/02/2014 - 11:11

Today ACT passed the Factory Farming Bill which eradicates inhumane animal treatment that should not be tolerated in Australia as acceptable modern farming practice.

In the ACT, thanks to Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, caged egg production, beak trimming and sow stalls are now illegal. This legislation is the first of its kind in Australia, and will ensure that millions of farmed hens and pigs receive better treatment. There is no denying that across each state, consumers are becoming more wary of how live produce is treated before it lands on our plate. Consumers are increasingly more uncomfortable with these practices of extreme confinement and pain. Read more »

Shark attacks - Hazard mitigation strategy: Questions

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Fri, 21/02/2014 - 15:05

SHARK ATTACKS — HAZARD MITIGATION STRATEGY
1042. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Fisheries:
I congratulate the minister on his new role. Read more »

Genetically modified crops - Map: Questions

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Fri, 21/02/2014 - 14:31


632. Hon Lynn MacLaren to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Does the Department of Food and Agriculture produce a map of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in Western Australia?
(2) If yes to (1), will the Minister table the current map?
(3) If no to (1), when did the department last produce a map? Read more »

Bottlenose dolphins - Koombana Bay: Questions

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Fri, 21/02/2014 - 13:49

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS — KOOMBANA BAY
978. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Environment:
(1) What was the last reported population figure for bottlenose dolphins in Koombana Bay?
(2) How many bottlenose dolphins from Koombana Bay have reportedly died since 2006?
(3) How many of these deaths have been attributed to boating activities? Read more »

Shark proof enclosures - Western Australian beaches: Questions

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Fri, 21/02/2014 - 13:30

[1]
SHARK-PROOF ENCLOSURES — WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BEACHES
1008. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to plans to install shark-proof enclosures off Old Dunsborough and Coogee beaches. Read more »

Department of Fisheries - Shark hazard mitigation strategy: Questions

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Fri, 21/02/2014 - 13:28

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES — SHARK HAZARD MITIGATION STRATEGY
998. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Fisheries:
I refer to the report titled “Likely effectiveness of netting or other capture programs as a shark hazard mitigation strategy in Western Australia” prepared for the Department of Fisheries in 2012. Read more »

Numbat - Population: Questions

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Fri, 21/02/2014 - 13:17


955. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Environment:
(1) What are the reasons for the numbat population decline?
(2) What is the primary threat to the numbat population?
(3) What is the current conservation status of the numbat?

(4) Does the government recognise that numbats are threatened by habitat loss through land clearing? Read more »

What was under the tarp, Minister?

Submitted by Nadine Walker on Thu, 20/02/2014 - 12:46

Media statement, Thursday 20 February 2014.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren has called on the Government to reveal what animal it ordered to be hidden under a tarpaulin on a Fisheries drum lining boat off Perth today after a reports of a juvenile dolphin in the area.

“This morning a surf skier on the water apparently saw a juvenile dolphin near the drum lines off Leighton Beach and she followed the animal for about 100 metres,” Ms MacLaren said.

“About  20 minutes later, the surf skier witnessed officers on a Fisheries boat pulling something that she thought it might be the dolphin, aboard.
Read more »