Deaths of 17 freshwater sawfish revealed in WA parliament this week prompt concerns over transparency
17 of the sawfish were found dead in a pool in the Kimberley Fitzroy River catchment. (Supplied: Environs Kimberley)
It's been revealed 17 critically endangered freshwater sawfish were found dead on a pastoral property in the state's far north last year.
The fish kill is the second incident at Liveringa Station, owned by Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, after 40 sawfish died at the Kimberley pastoral station in December 2018.
Details of the latest deaths were raised in WA parliament this week.
Minister for Water Simone McGurk said the incident occurred on November 21 last year and was reported to the government on November 30 by a representative from Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd.
The deaths are understood to have occurred in a pool on the Blina Creek flood plain, within the Fitzroy River catchment.
Minister McGurk said she was notified by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on December 1.
DWER later received photos with a Murdoch University report into the incident that was provided on December 4.
But Greens MLC Brad Pettitt, who raised questions on the matter in parliament, said the government had since refused to provide any reports in relation to the deaths.
"That's disappointing," Dr Pettitt said.
"There should be much better transparency around these things."
Past secrecy around fish deaths
The freshwater sawfish has been closely monitored for decades, with experts and advocates calling for its habitat along the Fitzroy River to be protected.
It is listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and is also a totally protected fish under the Fish Resources Management Act 1994.
The 700-kilometre-long Fitzroy river is considered a crucial stronghold for the species, which has faced a drastic decline in its global range.
Most recently, protection of the species has been raised alongside discussions over the future of water extraction along the river.
Following the 2018 deaths, documents obtained under freedom of information showcased internal government communication, with concerns about a "negative story" and a manager from a government department "trying to prevent the issue getting out to the media".
Environs Kimberley director of strategy Martin Pritchard said the government ran the risk of a repeat in secrecy if it did not release the latest reports.
"The public have a right to know, when we've got this critically endangered species that is dying in significant numbers on a pastoral lease in the Kimberley," Mr Pritchard said.
"To see these critically endangered animals dying like this is extremely distressing for us and for the community at large."
Government response in place
The WA government said an investigation by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was underway, which would provide further advice on managing sawfish strandings.
It did not provide any reports on the latest incident.
A government spokesperson said Northern Australia Pastoral Properties monitored the Blina Creek and had a rapid response approach if fish deaths were observed.
"In this case, a rapid response was activated. Station staff worked with Murdoch University and the Nyikina-Mangala Rangers to successfully rescue 34 sawfish by relocating them to the nearest permanent pool on Uralla Creek, preventing further deaths," the spokesperson said.
"Working together this group had a quick coordinated response and they should be commended for so effectively responding to this challenging situation."
Late last year, the WA government announced no additional surface water extraction from the Fitzroy River would be licensed.
"We need to see legislation locking that in to make sure the sawfish are not going to be vulnerable," Environs Kimberley's Mr Pritchard said.
Hancock Prospecting has been contacted for comment.