Up to 10 tonnes of abalone will be moved along Perth's coast ahead of the Ocean Reef Marina development.

Call to expand abalone relocation at Ocean Reef Marina

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

AN expansion of the project to relocate abalone from Ocean Reef Marina is urgently needed to save stocks before they are lost forever, says Agricultural Region MLC Rick Mazza, of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

Announced on June 17, the project would move about 100,000 adult breeding Roe’s abalone from the development site to protect the sustainability of the species.

Abalone relocated ahead of Ocean Reef Marina development

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At the time, about 68,000 abalone had been moved to other reef platforms within the Marmion Marine Park, with the remaining to be relocated between Trigg and Hillarys prior to work starting on the marina development later this year.

According to a statement from Mr Mazza, DevelopmentWA had provided $150,000 to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development for the project and expansion was not being considered.

“After my initial doubts about the effectiveness of the abalone translocation process, it has proven to be very successful and with a high survival rate,” he said.

“However, there is plenty of work still to be done within the development envelope, and ideally the program would be extended within that area and more funding allocated to this project.

“I fear if further investment is not made soon the resource will be at risk.”

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An artist impression of the Ocean Reef Marina development.
Camera IconAn artist impression of the Ocean Reef Marina development. Credit: Supplied

Mr Mazza said if the objective of the relocation project was to save abalone stocks, funds to monitor populations north of the redevelopment now need to be reconsidered.

“If nothing is done, those abalone stocks north of the redevelopment will die unnecessarily,” he said.

“I call upon the Minister for Fisheries to reconsider his decision and provide additional funding.”

Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley said the translocation project, which was a requirement of the public environmental review, would be the largest undertaken in Australia.

“The scale of the program meets the conditions of the Minister for Environment, following the Environmental Protection Authority assessment,” he said.

He said the project was being done in close consultation with the West Coast Abalone Divers Association.

“The program is recording a high survivability rate of the translocated abalone,” he said.

“The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is undertaking ongoing monitoring of translocated stock, including survivability, how the adult abalone adapt to the new habitat, and if there is an increase in numbers of juvenile abalone in the area.”