By Hamish Heard
THE discovery of sick fish in Hobsons Bay has sparked calls from professional and recreational fishermen and environmentalists for a “complete halt” to the channel deepening project.
The groups called an emergency meeting on the shores of Hobsons Bay at Williamstown after State Government agencies warned locals about eating fish caught between Williamstown and Werribee.
Blue Wedges Coalition president Jenny Warfe said she was disturbed when Star told her about reports of fish being caught with unidentified lesions.
“Given that we don’t even know the cause of the problem, we can’t rule out whether this is the result of maintenance dredging in the Yarra,” Ms Warfe said.
“And if that is the case, imagine what will happen when the dredging project goes ahead, spreading a toxic plume right across the bay.”
He said the fishing and boating industries contribute $2 billion to Victoria’s economy each year.
“All this is thrown into doubt when sick fish are suddenly turning up from Port Melbourne to Werribee,” Mr McAdam said.
Earthcare spokeswoman Dr Jo Samuel King, also a member of Blue Wedges, said the sick fish showed that Port Phillip and Hobsons bays were already under stress.
“If we’re being told not to even touch these fish, let alone eat them, something serious is wrong,” Dr Samuel-King said.
“If our government bodies are telling us in the same breath not to go near them but they don’t know what the problem is, then that rings loud warning bells.”
