(1)   Has the Minister read the email sent on 10 June 2009 at 4.17 p.m. by Mr Paul Murphy, Acting Executive Manager of Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA), to Mr Bob Masters of the Kimberley Professional Fishermen’s Association, entitled WestMAC Meeting today; if so, does the Minister support the views of, and approach taken by, Mr Murphy; if so, why.

(2)   Is the Minister aware that 400 kilograms of Goldband Snapper was thrown over the side of a North West Slope Trawl Fishery (NWSTF) trawler in just one morning, with an AFMA observer on board; if so, does he support such action.

(3)   What controls are in place to help facilitate environmentally sustainable and responsible management of fisheries trawling demersal scalefish on coral/sponge bottom in the Kimberley waters.

(4)   Has an Ecological Risk Assessment been conducted by AFMA for the NWSTF and the Western Deepwater Trawl Fishery on trawling damage to benthos; if not, why not.

(1)   No. This is a matter for Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).

(2)   No. This is a matter for AFMA.

(3)   See response at 865 1b.

(4)   AFMA advises that both fisheries have had Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) undertaken by CSIRO. Two ERAs assessed the effects of fishing upon target, by-product and threatened, endangered and protected (TEP) species and direct and indirect impacts of trawling on habitats and communities.