ENVIRONMENT Minister Donna Faragher says swimming in the Swan and Canning rivers is still safe despite a recent spate of dolphin deaths.
Six dolphins have been reported dead between June and October. Fisheries and health agencies have told the State Government swimming and consuming fish caught in the rivers did not pose a direct risk to the public.
Ms Faragher said the Swan River Trust, Department of Environment and Conservation and Murdoch and Curtin universities would continue to monitor the dolphins living in the Swan Canning Riverpark.
She said possible causes of the deaths so far were thought to be factors such as seasonal changes in water quality and long-term exposure to contaminants.
Mrs Faragher said people interested in monitoring dolphins could join the trust’s River Guardians program and sign up to become a Dolphin Watch member.
She said fishers could reduce the risk of entanglement for dolphins by using biodegradable fishing line and making sure line was disposed of properly.
Meanwhile the Labor Opposition is calling for an urgent inquiry into the deaths of another eight dolphins from the Leschenault Estuary, near Australind.