ENVIRONMENT GROUP URGES PLANNING MINISTER TO VISIT MICALO ISLAND TO SEE WHY MASSIVE PRAWN FARM PROPO

Monday, 21 July 2003 10:00

Total Environment Centre coastal campaigner Fran Kelly said during her visit to the site late last year it was clear how serious the impacts of such an intensive aquaculture operation would be should it proceed.

"The mess still remaining from a far less intensive operation more than 13 years ago should be lesson enough that no further attempt should be made at this, let alone an attempt that could multiply the problem many times," said Ms Kelly.

"Micalo Island is one of a complex of islands in the Clarence Estuary. The wetlands, channels, marshes and creeks that are part of this complex are the last place to propose an extremely polluting and problem-ridden industry," said Ms Kelly.

"Prawn farming has yet to prove it is sustainable> It has a short life span and usually leaves extensive damage in its wake. The regular waste from such an operation is loaded with chemicals, antibiotics and nutrients. This ends up in the estuary impacting on wild aquatic life including fish and birds. The potential for infectious disease is high in such intensive farming and the feed given to prawns requires far more take from the wild than the weight produced," said Ms Kelly.

"Added to this is the extremely fragile nature of this area. Much of the island is zoned Environment Protection for special reason - due to the easily upset nature of its wetlands, salt marsh vegetation and the creeks surrounding it. The fact that it is a highly flood prone low lying island does not exactly bode well for pond based aquaculture and the island has areas that are mapped as acid sulphate soil risk," said Ms Kelly

"We are urging the Minister to inspect the island before allowing a bureaucratic rubber stamp from far-away Sydney. We believe anyone with any sense will understand the island is absolutely the wrong place for this proposal," said Ms Kelly.

For further information contact Fran Kelly or Jeff Angel on 9299 5599 or 9299 5680. 
 

For further information

Contact
:
Fran Kelly - Coastal Campaigner
Phone
:
61 2 9299 5599
Email
:
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WWW
:
http://www.tec.org.au/