Post by itchin4answers on Nov 15, 2011 16:36:22 GMT -5
Ill fish need independent study: Gladstone QLD
Gladstone Council has unanimously voted in favour of an independent investigation into what's making marine life sick in the Queensland city's harbour.
Councillor Clyde Cameron says the community does not trust investigations by state government departments and agencies.
Mr Cameron said on Tuesday the council unanimously backed his motion to ask the Queensland government for $500,000 to commission an external party to carry out the probe.
"What I see is dead fish, dead aquatic animals, dirty water from the activity in the harbour. I hired a small plane to go up above the harbour to see it all for myself," Mr Cameron told AAP.
"I am fourth-generation Gladstone, I was born here. I have swum, fished and sailed in the harbour. It is part of us and it pains us to see it in the shape it is in."
Investigations by government departments and agencies have intensified in recent months after sick marine life began surfacing off Gladstone.
The discoveries sparked a three-week fishing ban in the industrial city's harbour, with the prohibition lifted on October 7.
But the Gladstone Fish Market is still refusing to accept local catches on health grounds.
Tests by government authorities have blamed a parasitic flatworm for causing cloudy eyes in barramundi. It's also suspected to have caused skin discolouration in barramundi, but the cause of skin abnormalities in other species is unknown.
Some fishermen have blamed large-scale dredging operations in the harbour for infecting the marine life but government authorities say the dredging hasn't significantly affected water quality.
Mr Cameron said he believed the mayor would be approaching the state government for the money in the next few days.
"If we get somebody independent and they say the harbour is healthy, I would accept it," he said.
Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace said Gladstone Council was free to undertake its own testing and the government would be happy to compare any results with their own.
"DERM (the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) releases its water quality analysis for public scrutiny and makes the raw data available for independent review," Mr Wallace said.
"Further, the most recent water quality report was reviewed by the CSIRO.
"We have already established a scientific panel, comprising respected scientists and experts, to review all available data relating to fish health in the Gladstone area and provide independent advice to us."
Mr Wallace said if the panel determined that any further testing of fish samples was necessary, "we will of course follow its recommendations".
tinyurl.com/7h9rxaq
Gladstone Council has unanimously voted in favour of an independent investigation into what's making marine life sick in the Queensland city's harbour.
Councillor Clyde Cameron says the community does not trust investigations by state government departments and agencies.
Mr Cameron said on Tuesday the council unanimously backed his motion to ask the Queensland government for $500,000 to commission an external party to carry out the probe.
"What I see is dead fish, dead aquatic animals, dirty water from the activity in the harbour. I hired a small plane to go up above the harbour to see it all for myself," Mr Cameron told AAP.
"I am fourth-generation Gladstone, I was born here. I have swum, fished and sailed in the harbour. It is part of us and it pains us to see it in the shape it is in."
Investigations by government departments and agencies have intensified in recent months after sick marine life began surfacing off Gladstone.
The discoveries sparked a three-week fishing ban in the industrial city's harbour, with the prohibition lifted on October 7.
But the Gladstone Fish Market is still refusing to accept local catches on health grounds.
Tests by government authorities have blamed a parasitic flatworm for causing cloudy eyes in barramundi. It's also suspected to have caused skin discolouration in barramundi, but the cause of skin abnormalities in other species is unknown.
Some fishermen have blamed large-scale dredging operations in the harbour for infecting the marine life but government authorities say the dredging hasn't significantly affected water quality.
Mr Cameron said he believed the mayor would be approaching the state government for the money in the next few days.
"If we get somebody independent and they say the harbour is healthy, I would accept it," he said.
Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace said Gladstone Council was free to undertake its own testing and the government would be happy to compare any results with their own.
"DERM (the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management) releases its water quality analysis for public scrutiny and makes the raw data available for independent review," Mr Wallace said.
"Further, the most recent water quality report was reviewed by the CSIRO.
"We have already established a scientific panel, comprising respected scientists and experts, to review all available data relating to fish health in the Gladstone area and provide independent advice to us."
Mr Wallace said if the panel determined that any further testing of fish samples was necessary, "we will of course follow its recommendations".
tinyurl.com/7h9rxaq