Duration: 1 hour
Year Group: 10–12
Cost: $5.00 per student

The Department of Fisheries is responsible for managing the health of Western Australia’s aquatic environment.

In this activity, students will use a variety of current sampling methods to identify marine pests in Hillarys Boat Harbour.

Aquatic pests are plants and animals that don’t live in WA, but have been brought here through human activities. It is the Department of Fisheries responsibility to protect our oceans, rivers, lakes and dams from the spread of alien pest species and water-borne diseases.

An increase in the demand for Western Australia’s resources through the mining boom has led to an increase in the number of foreign vessels entering WA waters. Therefore there is an increased risk of aquatic pests being transported on the hulls of vessels and in fishing gear.

By conducting regular monitoring at three different ports in Western Australia the Department of Fisheries aims to reduce the risk of marine pests entering our waterways and to help maintain the high level of biodiversity Western Australia has in its unique marine and freshwater environments.

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