Vol. 441 No. 2
45 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Marine the number of pollution related fish kills reported to his Department in inland waterways and lakes in 1993; the approximate financial loss value of these kills; and the number of prosecutions, if any, instituted as a result of such kills in 1993.
In 1993 there were 31 fish kills reported to the Department of the Marine. It is not possible to calculate the financial loss associated with these fish kills. The Water Pollution (Amendment) Act, 1990, provides, however, that the courts may require convicted polluters to meet the costs incurred in investigating, mitigating or remedying the effects of the pollution caused. The number of prosecutions instituted to date as a result of these fish kills is four.
I should point out that due to increased monitoring and public awareness in recent years there has been a considerable reduction in the number of reported incidents of fish kills. In fact, the number reported in 1993 was the lowest since systematic recording began in 1983 and compared with a high of 122 in 1987.
