Climate change is amplifying the frequency and intensity of extreme events impacting on the Western Australian (WA) marine environment. These events pose significant ecological, social and economic risks and will likely result in considerable public concern and media attention. While numerous state agencies have mandated responsibilities, expertise and day-to-day operations in the WA marine environment, strategic planning for better integration of roles and responsibilities that would benefit in any regional scale marine emergency remains to be undertaken. The recent harmful algal bloom event in South Australia (SA) caused severe impacts on the marine ecosystem and dependent industries, prompting the development of a Algal Bloom Summer Plan funded by the SA and Commonwealth Governments. In WA, severe marine heatwave events in 2010-13 and 2024-25 resulted in widespread coral mortality, localised algal blooms, fish kills and significant loss of seagrass meadows and kelp beds with associated impacts on fisheries, tourism and local communities.
During the 2024-25 event, an interagency working group, was set up with representatives from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and later joined by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, and Department of Health. The group has identified gaps in agency roles and responsibilities in relation to a regional scale marine emergency event and highlighted issues associated with coordination, communication and resource constraints which impede a holistic monitoring response and consistent, accurate and timely reporting to stakeholders and community.
There is now consensus on the need for: (i) developing a whole-of-Government response framework to improve WA’s preparedness to future extreme marine events; and (ii) establishing well-defined roles for WA agencies within this framework. To this purpose the relevant agencies are jointly developing a draft State Natural Marine Emergency Response Plan.