Dead fish started washing up on beaches in Cockburn Sound over two weeks ago. Then sea birds - the image of the dead pelican on Facebook is burned into my memory. According to the Perth Now website on December 4: "Late on Friday (December 4), the Department of Fisheries issued a statement reassuring anglers and swimmers that Cockburn Sound water was safe."

However, Perth Now also reports there is anecdotal evidence of swimmers having skin irritation and rash. Moreover, Swimming WA has called off round five of Open Water Swimming Series at Coogee after consultation with the Department of Health, Surf Life Saving WA and the City of Cockburn. 

Now there is an image on Facebook [Dead Fairy Penguin - Wazza Upton - Mobile Uploads] which should kick the government into action, because it will affect WA tourism. How many visitors come to WA each year to visit with our fairy penguins? How much money do they spend in the WA economy?

Minister, the people of WA want answers. What is happening in our beautiful waters? What is killing our wildlife? Is it safe to go in the water - even for the most vulnerable in our community, the elderly and the very young?

And most importantly Minister, what is our government doing about this disaster?