Scores of dead fish, eels wash up after Melbourne factory fire

[bilby]

True, Hornet - but still disappointing that the EPA won't make a statement at least to the effect that the bay has been impacted. I wasn't wanting to start an argument - but am hugely disappointed that government agencies seem to want to minimize the public scandal around events like this.

In my view, If you are going to store industrial quantities of acetone and other flammable / toxic chemicals near a creek that leads directly to Port Phillip Bay, then there needs to be tougher rules around barriers (and even storage) to contain toxic runoff in the event of a fire or other catastrophic failure at the site. But that will never happen if the issue is poorly misunderstood by voters. Going by the articles I've seen, most would be led to believe that this is a localised issue for a few western suburbs fishers who hang out at the warmies. Imagine if the fire had happened in Elsternwick and the pollutant plume had flowed down the Elwood Canal and out towards Brighton - what would the response have looked like then?

[fishnut]

Very true bilby

[mingle]

I think that’s a shag.

It's a grebe... :-(

[4liters]

True, Hornet - but still disappointing that the EPA won't make a statement at least to the effect that the bay has been impacted. I wasn't wanting to start an argument - but am hugely disappointed that government agencies seem to want to minimize the public scandal around events like this.

In my view, If you are going to store industrial quantities of acetone and other flammable / toxic chemicals near a creek that leads directly to Port Phillip Bay, then there needs to be tougher rules around barriers (and even storage) to contain toxic runoff in the event of a fire or other catastrophic failure at the site. But that will never happen if the issue is poorly misunderstood by voters. Going by the articles I've seen, most would be led to believe that this is a localised issue for a few western suburbs fishers who hang out at the warmies. Imagine if the fire had happened in Elsternwick and the pollutant plume had flowed down the Elwood Canal and out towards Brighton - what would the response have looked like then?

They should, but the second someone actually proposes it the business community would jump up and down about greenies and red tape, and nothing would end up being done

[jewel90]

I am done with summer fishing

[hornet]

True, Hornet - but still disappointing that the EPA won't make a statement at least to the effect that the bay has been impacted. I wasn't wanting to start an argument - but am hugely disappointed that government agencies seem to want to minimize the public scandal around events like this.

In my view, If you are going to store industrial quantities of acetone and other flammable / toxic chemicals near a creek that leads directly to Port Phillip Bay, then there needs to be tougher rules around barriers (and even storage) to contain toxic runoff in the event of a fire or other catastrophic failure at the site. But that will never happen if the issue is poorly misunderstood by voters. Going by the articles I've seen, most would be led to believe that this is a localised issue for a few western suburbs fishers who hang out at the warmies. Imagine if the fire had happened in Elsternwick and the pollutant plume had flowed down the Elwood Canal and out towards Brighton - what would the response have looked like then?

I agree bilby, every creek and outlet that drains into PPB should have traps or diverters to holding tanks or at the very least purpose built dams to hold chemical run off, it's disgusting there is nothing in place for such a catastrophe like this fire and the consequent after math, why does something bad need to happen before something is done ? In this case nothing has been planned for future, and no one is accountable.

[Queasy]

Imagine if the fire had happened in Elsternwick and the pollutant plume had flowed down the Elwood Canal and out towards Brighton - what would the response have looked like then?

Latest I read suggested the contamination could extend to Brighton Beach anyways.
Personally I'll keep my local boat fishing to WP. Never trusted PPB much after they dredged up highly toxic Yarra sediments and dumped them in the middle of the bay some 10 yrs ago, then sprinkled some sand on top and called it world's best practice.

[IFISHALOT]

Certainly the hoardes that are fishing the Warmies for the Tailor should be very careful with them over the next few weeks

[smile0784]

I heard on the news that some fisherman are atill fishing there

[Lightningx]

Well in that case, I hope it’s just catch and release...