FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
"THIS MAKES FOR DIFFICULTIES WHEN EXCAVATING THESE MATERIALS.
THE
"THE DUMPING OF CONTAMINATED MUD AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN DESIGNATED AREAS ALSO LEADS TO UNACCEPTABLE POLLUTION TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND POSES A THREAT TO THE MARINE LIFE.
"
MR BOXALL SAID THE MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN WAS DESIGNED TO STOP FURTHER MARINE DUMPING MALPRACTICES.
"STEPS INCLUDE MORE REGULAR INSPECTION OF THE BARGE LOADING POINTS, ADDITIONAL MARINE PATROLS AS WELL AS PUNITIVE MEASURES OF LICENCE REVOCATION AND REFUSAL, HE SAID.
T
MR BOXALL SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND MARINE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THE EPD ΤΟ DETECT OFFENCES DURING THEIR ROUTINE PATROLS IN THE HARBOUR.
"THE EPD WILL INITIATE IMMEDIATE PROSECUTION OF SERIOUS OFFENCES AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
"IF FLOATING REFUSE IS OBSERVED, THE EPD WILL NOTIFY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WHICH CAN TAKE OUT PROSECUTION FOR MARINE LITTERING UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE."
THE EPD TOOK OUT 17 PROSECUTION CASES IN 1990, WITH THE COURTS IMPOSING THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 ON NINE OCCASIONS.
TWO REPEAT OFFENDERS WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED WITH THE MAXIMUM FINE ON THREE OCCASIONS.
THE
DUMPING AT
MR BOXALL SAID THE MAXIMUM FINE STIPULATED IN SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) 1975 WAS TOO LOW TO EXERT A DETERRENT EFFECT.
"THEREFORE, THE EPD HAS TO EXERCISE OTHER SUCH AS LICENCE REVOCATION AND REFUSAL, HE SAID.
·
PUNITIVE MEASURES
"THE DECISION TO EXERCISE THOSE MEASURES WILL BE MAINLY BASED UPON PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS.
"CHECKS AND BALANCES WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE APPEAL ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER
ALL REPRESENTATIONS.
HE SAID GENERAL CONSENSUS HAD BEEN REACHED AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THAT ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE ILLEGAL ACT HAD TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
"SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE DUMPING OPERATIONS WILL BE ISSUED WITH A NEW LICENCE ONLY IF THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF CONVICTION.
THE IN ANY
"THOSE BARGES AND TUG BOATS WHICH WERE ASSOCIATED WITH OFFENCE WOULD BE DELISTED FROM THE LIST OF AUTHORISED VESSELS NEW LICENCE ISSUED TO THE MAIN CONTRACTOR,
LE
MR BOXALL SAID.
"THE ACTION PLAN SETS OUT THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY AND ALL PARTIES WILL BE TREATED ON A FAIR BASIS. WE NEED ΤΟ TAKE PROMPT ACTION TO STOP FURTHER MALPRACTICES,' HE CONCLUDED.
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