Powerboat-World.com Advertising Info Advertising Info

 
News Home Text Only News Video Gallery Cruising FishingBoating MarineBusiness-World
Features Sail-World Australia Australian Cruising


 


Sail-World.com : Toxic algae leads to ban on fishing in Gippsland Lakes

Toxic algae leads to ban on fishing in Gippsland Lakes

'Gippsland Lakes - lakes entrance'    . ©    Click Here to view large photo

Authorities have put a ban on eating fish from the Gippsland Lakes after a toxic algae outbreak.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment says the blue-green algae species, Nodularia spumigena produces a toxin which can adversely affect liver function, meaning fish caught in the lakes are not safe for human consumption.

Scientific testing has found levels of toxins, which can be taken up by fish, prawns, mussels and crabs, are above safe levels.

The ban will stop supplies of Black Bream and Taylor from the Lakes to the Melbourne Markets and will also affect tourism businesses at their busiest time of year.

Arthur Allen from the East Gippsland Estuarine Fishermen's Association says it's a disaster for the local fishing industry.
'There is a couple of newer entrants that have got young families and big debts that go with the purchase of licences and things. I think that they will be in real trouble. If you've got no cash flow anyone in business will tell you that if cash flow dries up you're in immediate trouble.'

The Department of Health says seafood caught in the Gippsland Lakes system is considered unsafe for human consumption, but recreational anglers can still enjoy catch and release fishing, but are advised not to eat their catch.
PrimeSafe, the statutory authority that regulates the safety of meat, poultry and seafood in Victoria, is coordinating arrangements with licensed commercial fishers to ensure that fish from the Lakes are not offered for sale to consumers.

The large majority of fish landed by commercial fishers at Lakes Entrance are caught out at sea in areas unaffected by this algal bloom. This seafood is safe to eat and will continue to be available for sale to consumers through the usual outlets.

The DSE says toxin levels will continue to be monitored and as soon as testing shows that levels that are safe for human consumption the public will be informed.

More at www.dse.vic.gov.au




by DSE

  

Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall

http://www.powerboat-world.com/index.cfm?nid=92017

11:15 PM Sun 18 Dec 2011 GMT



Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.

 
Our Advertisers are committed to our sport, please support them!
This site and its contents are © Copyright TetraMedia Pty. Ltd and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved.

Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph you must contact the photographer directly (there is a hyperlink in most cases to their website, or do a Google search.) with your request.

Please do not contact PowerBoat-World.com as we cannot give permission for use of other photographer’s images.

Only if the photographer named on the image is Sail-world.com, Powerboat-world.com, Marinebusiness-world.com or NZBoating-World.com. Contact us .
Ph: +61 2 8006 1873 fax: +61 2 8076 0459 or complete our feedback form    Contact us .
   View our Privacy Policy.    [Go Home]     [  Banner Advertising Specification]    [Bot Archive ]

Customised news feeds -Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have their own customised version of our news feed on their website.
Look_here_to_see_examples
 
CLD