Oil spill in Botany Bay

The Recreational Fishing Alliance and the many fishing clubs that are located around and fish Botany Bay are greatly concerned about the oil spill from the Caltex Oil Refinery at Kurnell on Monday March 24 in Botany Bay.

The oil/fuel spill stretched from Caltex Oil Wharf across the Bay around Bare Island and into Congwong Bay, and around the northern headland and was first noticed by anglers at about 5.00pm.

It wasn't until 5.55pm the first Ports Oil Spill Response boat appeared and was then joined by two Caltex boats driving through and around the oil spill.

Anglers became increasingly concerned as they took photos and noticed the lack of emergency response oil spill units taking action.

As darkness set in around 6.50pm these vessels were seen to leave the spill and head back to base, with no sign of action overnight. No health or safety warnings were posted at local boat ramps, in the bay or on coastal beaches, no news coverage, no presence of government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Authority, NSWDPI/Fisheries, Roads & Maritime Services or Water Police and no sign of National Parks and Wildlife Services staff watching for the effects on bird life around the Bay's important RAMSAR listed wetlands.

“I've never seen a slick like that in the bay and I've been here for close to 40 years,” said Stan Konstantas, president of the South Sydney Amateur Fishing Association. “I saw birds going through it, fish going through it.”

"It will have a devastating effect on the area," he said. "I picked up a handful of sand and there was oil dripping through my hands."

A spokeswoman from Caltex said a huge downpour had caused a drain to overflow, dispersing “a small amount of water containing oil” into Botany Bay.

Recreational fishers said they supported a $10 million voluntary commercial fishing buy out in Botany Bay in early 2000, and now wonder how much that investment has been devalued and what are the immediate and long-term impacts to the environment in the Bay.