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Camera Iconstock image. Credit: Supplied/Airview Aerial Photography

Report finds Cockburn Sound has improved water quality

Jessica NicoCockburn Gazette

WATER quality in the Cockburn Sound has improved since the 1980s, accord to a recently released report.

The 2017 Cockburn Sound Drivers-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses Assessment final report investigated risk factors facing the Sound including the impact of contamination, invasive marine species, boats, fishing, climate change and coastline development.

It found efforts over the last three decades to protect the local waters from pollution such as reducing the discharge of nutrients and contaminants and improving stormwater draining and dune rehabilitation had been successful in improving the water quality.

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Cockburn Sound Management Council chairperson Kateryna Longley said the report gave them a better understanding about how the Sound was used and that it would continue to be checked.

“Identified gaps in monitoring and knowledge of the Sound will be addressed to protect environmental values into the future,” she said.

Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said they welcomed news of Cockburn Sound’s “positive state of health”.

“It is great to see users of Cockburn Sound working collaboratively to plan, monitor and manage the health of the area,” he said.

“These reports are timely and will give vital information to help inform decisions about future uses of Cockburn Sound.”

Visit www.der.wa.gov.au/about-us/cockburn-sound-management-council to see the report.