Marine groups vigilant after fly-tip reports

BOAT associations are pledging to report any fly-tipping at sea, but have not so far seen any evidence of it. Public Services minister Bill Bell has said that there were problems with people taking rubbish out to sea and dumping it, as well as increasing amounts being buried and other forms of fly-tipping.

But Guernsey Marine Traders' Association president Ben Mahy said he was not aware of any offshore fly-tipping.

'I am based at Boatworks+ and I'm out at sea a lot and I've not witnessed events that would suggest it's going on - I'd be very surprised if it is,' he said.

'Any environmentalist would be aggrieved if they witnessed that and would report it to me or the official authority and I haven't heard any rumours of any such activities but if I did, I'd certainly report it.'

Guernsey Fishermen's Association president Peter Munro was also unaware of any fly-tipping at sea.

'If Deputy Bell's information is correct, he should act on it.'

He condemned any dumping at sea.

Environmental Health takes action when accumulations of waste pose a threat to the public. But it does not have the powers to deal with fly-tipped waste that is merely an eyesore.

'We are not aware of any increase in complaints of tipping creating a public-health nuisance,' said a spokesman.

No one has contacted the department about dumping at sea or burying, but it would encourage people to report any problems.

'If anyone has any concerns regarding a threat to public health being created by inappropriate waste disposal, we would welcome such information and investigate each occurrence.'

The Control of Pollution (Guernsey) Law, 2004, is now in force but the waste ordinance

needs to be enacted before the issues of fly-tipping can be addressed.

'It is intended that the disposal of waste without the appropriate licence will become an offence under the waste ordinance.'