Probe into Sound crab population

Several investigations into the decline of the blue swimmer crab population in Cockburn Sound are being carried out, Fisheries Minister Ken Baston said last week.

Mr Baston said adult and juvenile crab numbers had declined to "very low levels" since crab fishing was closed in the sound in May 2014.

The fisheries minister was responding to questions from South Metropolitan MLC Lynn MacLaren, who raised concerns about the potential loss of seagrass meadows in Mangles Bay during the construction of the proposed marina.

Mangles Bay's seagrass has been identified as a fish nursery of Statewide significance by the Department of Fisheries.

Mr Baston said seagrass played a vital role for the crab population because it provided the main habitat for juveniles.

As reported in the _Telegraph _ last week, the WA Fishing Industries Council has warned the creation of the Mangles Bay Marina could destroy the Cockburn Sound commercial crab fishery.

Developer Cedar Woods has responded to concerns by committing to replanting twice the amount of seagrass lost in the development.