Latest news with #DepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesandRegionalDevelopment
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
‘Eerie' discovery made at Coral Bay beach
Almost 100 birds have been discovered dead on a Coral Bay beach, with residents and tourists uncertain of the cause behind the mass mortality event. People in the area have taken to social media to share concerns about the increase in deceased birds being spotted at Maud's Landing, with an estimated 80 to 100 being found dead this week. Tourist Callie Adams encountered 'clumps of multiple dead birds' while visiting, and said she spoke out in hopes a resident might shed some light on the peculiar sight. 'It just seemed strange to see so many in one spot, it was kind of eerie,' she told the West Australian. 'I couldn't see any major signs that would cause such a mass death rate, meaning no rubbish, plastics, the water was clear, no baits.' Dead birds seen on the beach. Credit: Unknown / Supplied 'It made me a bit nervous, it could be a disease and I was concerned I may have been in contact with something on the sand or in the water.' Another resident said they had counted 91 deceased birds during their recent trip to the beach. Seabird ecologist Dr Claire Greenwell identified the deceased birds to be Greater Crested Terns from photographs, and said that the large number of birds being discovered was 'unusual'. 'I'm keen to understand what is happening (to the birds) at Maud's Landing and why,' she said. 'Maud's Landing is a known roost site, and that many dead birds at a roost site in any year is highly unusual.' One resident counted 91 deceased birds. Credit: Supplied The Shire of Carnarvon confirmed the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the lead agency investigating the situation. The DPIRD said authorities are still unsure what is causing the deaths. 'The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has received reports from the members of the public and the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) regarding the deaths of crested terns in Coral Bay,' a spokesperson said. 'The cause of these deaths may be due to a number of factors and DPIRD is undertaking routine testing to exclude reportable diseases. The DPIRD said authorities are still unsure what is causing the deaths. Credit: Unknown / Supplied 'Members of the public are reminded not to touch dead birds and to keep pets away.' Cases of bulk deceased seabirds on beaches have occurred in other Australian states, with similar reports being made in New South Wales and Victoria late last year. In previous Australian cases, officials confirmed the deaths were not attributable to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu but were likely caused by starvation while migrating. The Western Australian Government urges any individual who notices deceased birds in a cluster of five or more to report the sighting to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.
West Australian
7 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Feral deer to be culled across 1000sqkm area near Esperance and Harvey
A feral deer population of about 1500 will begin to be culled across southern WA next week after being identified through aerial surveillance and thermal imaging technology. Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis told State Parliament the project had covered 660sqkm near Esperance, 440sqkm near Harvey, and 41sqkm near Muchea during the past two years. More than 1500 feral deer were identified in the three targeted areas— with about 660 feral deer found near Esperance, about 700 near Harvey, and about 170 near Muchea. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will start localised aerial control for feral deer in the Esperance and Harvey areas next week. A spokeswoman for Ms Jarvis said WA was in a 'unique' position to control feral deer populations while they were still 'relatively small and localised'. 'Feral deer populations in WA have the potential to grow quickly and are an emerging pest threat, impacting agricultural production, important environmental values and sensitive areas,' she said. 'Like many pests, deer tend to prefer areas on the fringe of bushland and farmland, where they can graze in paddocks but retreat to cover if startled.' A declared pest, feral deer damage the WA environment and agriculture industry by grazing on native plants, competing with native fauna for food and habitat resources, impact water quality and soil properties, and damage pasture, commercial crops and orchards. They also act as carriers for diseases and pathogens such as foot-and-mouth disease, and can transmit exotic livestock diseases to cattle, sheep, and goats. The aerial control will take place across Crown land and over a small number of private rural properties. DPIRD has liaised with affected landholders to plan control efforts. 'During the past two years, DPIRD has undertaken aerial thermal surveys targeting agricultural and conservation areas where there are known populations of feral deer,' the spokeswoman said. 'The information gathered is aiding the development of tools and management strategies to develop best practice control measures.' Australia is home to more than 1.5 million feral deer, the population exploding from about 80,000 in 1980. DPIRD has been assisted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions with deer research initiatives, surveys, and control program activities. 'Thermally-assisted aerial control is an effective method for reducing deer populations across a landscape,' the spokeswoman said. She said any future control would be determined by the success of the current program and DPIRD was continuing to liaise with rural landholders near Muchea to plan for local aerial control activities in early 2026. Landholders who see vertebrate pests, such as feral deer, on their property can report sightings using the FeralScan App or online at .
Perth Now
10-07-2025
- Perth Now
Tragic details revealed after fatal shark attack at WA beach
The devastating circumstances of a great white shark attack on a surfer who was fatally mauled in front of his girlfriend at an Esperance beach have been revealed for the first time. Melbourne man Steven Payne, 37, was on the trip of a lifetime caravanning around WA with his partner Catherine Birch and dog Poppy when he was fatally attacked at Wharton Beach, 93km east of Esperance, on March 10. Mr Payne's body was never found, sparking a mandatory coronial inquest into his death. The inquest was told Mr Payne had been in remission for testicular cancer for three years when he died. Mr Payne owned a shark deterrent device but he was not wearing it on the day, because, tragically, he thought it was not needed after leaving South Australia. And just days before the attack, Mr Payne and his partner made the decision not to surf at South Australia's Granites Beach after speaking with locals about a fatal shark attack there in January. After arriving at Wharton Beach on March 10, Mr Payne entered the water with two other surfers about 10.15am. Wharton Beach. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Catherine, who was relaxed on shore, reading a book and sitting with their dog, noticed commotion 60m from the shore about 90 minutes later. She ran to the water's edge and shouted trying to alert the group of the shark's presence. At first, she had no idea Mr Payne, who was attacked from behind without warning, had been bitten by a shark. 'Catherine then realised that the commotion was where she had last seen Steven and the victim of the attack was wearing the same distinctive sun hat that he wore,' Acting Sergeant Craig Robertson said. 'From what she witnessed, Catherine immediately knew that Steven was dead.' Horrifying drone footage of the attack, which was taken by an unsuspecting tourist trying to capture the picturesque coast, led the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Dr Steven Travers to conclude the shark was between 3.2-3.5 metres in length. Sgt Robertson said the species of shark, following DNA testing taken from his damaged surfboard seized at the scene, returned a 100 per cent match for a great white. The conditions were described as sunny, with crystal clear waters. The majority of the people at the beach on the day were tourists from interstate or overseas. There was just one Esperance local present, who eventually handed Mr Payne's damaged surfboard, which had made it to shore, to responding police. Esperance police Sergeant Harriet Collins was the first police officer on the scene. She testified that after speaking with witnesses and watching the drone footage, she instantly knew it was a recovery mission and not a rescue. Sgt. Collins said it took emergency services 40 minutes to reach the remote beach after two ambulances and a police car were dispatched from the Esperance townsite. Sgt Robertson said the two other surfers in the water could do nothing help Mr Payne, with each of them swimming to a nearby rock and the shore. Sergeant Harriet Collins of Esperance Police leaves court. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian 'The attack concluded by the shark dragging Steven down into the large circle of blood-stained water that surrounded them,' he said. 'He was never seen to resurface following that.' The drone footage led investigators to conclude that 'the images show Steven sustaining injuries and blood loss which are incompatible with life'. Deputy State Coroner Sarah Linton said Mr Payne's death would likely be ruled a fatal accident. A search for Mr Payne proved unsuccessful, which was called off after two days. The conditions were too dangerous for police divers to search the depths for his body, but teams of police scouring the coastline managed to located his sun hat, two pieces of his torn wetsuit and foam believed to be from the damaged nose of his board. Police believe his body could have been taken away from the site of the attack by the shark. Mr Payne's brother, Matthew, was in attendance on Tuesday, listening to the details of the fatal attack. Both Steven's family and his partner have said they don't support the culling of sharks.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Shark warning issued for Pelican Point near Coral Bay as whale carcass floats close to shore
A shark warning has been issued off the Gascoyne coast with a whale carcass floating near Coral Bay. The carcass was reported floating at Pelican Point in the Shire of Carnarvon at 10.07am on Wednesday. Parks and Wildlife Service officers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions said it was possible the carcass would attract sharks close to shore. Beaches and waters within a radius of about 300m of Pelican Point have been closed off. Swimmers, surfers and other water users are urged to be extra vigilant in the areas nearby. Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, along with staff from other agencies, are monitoring the situation. Switch on your Sea Sense and stay informed of shark activity information by checking the SharkSmart website , download the SharkSmart WA app or follow Surf Life Saving WA Twitter – . Check for updates to this alert and to view other warnings and media releases.
West Australian
27-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Destructive shot-hole borer reaches Perth's far northern suburbs
The destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer has reached Perth's far northern suburbs, with the City of Wanneroo now reporting its first case. News of the detection comes just over a week after the state government announced it would transition from eradicating to managing the pest, which was first detected in Perth in 2021. The City of Wanneroo said they're working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to implement a Tree Management Plan for the affected tree - which is in the suburb of Wanneroo - and will keep a close watch on the area in the coming weeks. Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the city is committed to taking swift action to prevent the pest's spread. 'The PSHB could significantly impact the City of Wanneroo's urban canopy if it were to become established here,' she said. 'It's important that we all check our trees for signs and report any suspected sightings, to allow DPIRD to investigate. 'Protecting and increasing our canopy cover and vegetation is a key goal for the City, as set out in our Urban Forest Strategy.' As Perth's most northern metropolitan local government, the City of Wanneroo covers 685.8 square kilometres, stretching from Girrawheen to Two Rocks. In the neighbouring council, the City of Joondalup has also confirmed three PSHB cases on council-managed land and is continuing to work with DPIRD to these infestations. Following the decision to end eradication efforts, the State Government has committed an additional $62.6 million to biosecurity responses and $2.17 million to research projects to help curb and treat infestations, including chemical treatments aimed at managing the spread of the shot-hole borer. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis believes the State has a strong foundation to manage the pest moving forward, as the infestation remains confined to the metropolitan area. 'We will continue to look for alternative solutions by supporting local scientists to undertake more research under WA conditions,' Ms Jarvis said. 'The more we can learn about this pest, the better equipped we will be to protect and support our State's tree canopy and agricultural industry.' For more information on PSHB and the signs to watch for, DPIRD is encouraging residents to visit their website and use the MyPestGuide app to report any suspected sightings.
