Western Australian Shark Hazard Mitigation Drum Line Program 2014-2017

Closed 16 Apr 2014

Opened 9 Apr 2014

Contact

info@epa.wa.gov.au

Feedback updated 1 May 2014

We asked

Public comment was invited on the referral to help the EPA determine the appropriate level of assessment.

You said

There were 9,543 comments on the referred proposal, most of which indicated that the proposal should be determined environmentally unacceptable and set a level of API (B).

We did

The EPA, having regard to the issues raised and the potential cumulative impacts from a three year program, determined the proposal be assessed at the highest level - a Public Environmental Review - with a public review period of four weeks. This will allow for public consultation and ensures the key environmental factor of Marine Fauna can be adequately addressed.

Overview

The proposal involves the setting of up to 72 baited drum lines off metropolitan and south west coastal regions of Western Australia for a period of three years, beginning on  15 November 2014 and ending on 30 April 2017, after which the program will be subject to review.

Drum lines will be set at approximately 1km offshore of popular beaches and surfing spots within two Marine Monitored Areas (MMAs) – the Metropolitan MMA (Ocean Reef to Port Beach) and the South West MMA (Quindalup to Prevelly). The proposed action also includes a provision for responding to identified shark threats and incidents at any time within Western Australian waters.

Why your views matter

At this initial stage of the EIA process, comment is simply sought on whether or not the EPA should assess a proposal and, if so, what level of assessment is considered appropriate.

Following this seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

What happens next

Following the seven day public comment period and consideration of any comments received, the EPA will decide whether or not this proposal requires environmental impact assessment and, if so, what level of assessment will be applied.

The Chairman's decisions on level of assessment are released each Monday on the EPA's website.

Areas

  • All of Western Australia

Audiences

  • Public

Interests

  • Seven-day comment on referrals