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Category: Water Pollution / Land Pollution / Pollution / Environment / Activism and Lobbying / Public Sector / Government and Politics / Oceans and Reefs / National Parks / Conservation / Sea Transport

Oil washed up on Fraser Island identified as from large trading ship

Tuesday, 15 Nov 2016 08:10:35 | Dominic Cansdale

One of the oil spots that dotted a 50-kilometre stretch of Fraser Island. (Supplied: MSQ)

The type of oil that washed ashore polluting Fraser Island off Queensland's coast last month has been identified as being from a large trading ship but pinpointing the culprit will be difficult, the Queensland Government says.

An analysis was done of samples taken from small oil patties that washed up along a 50-kilometre stretch of the World Heritage Listed island's eastern beaches in October.

It took a week for the spill to be completely cleaned up but there were no reports of environmental damage or harmed wildlife.

Queensland Ports Minister Mark Bailey said the analysis confirmed the oil was the same type used by large trading ships.

"We identified it as being from the principle shipping lanes that go along the coast from Brisbane to Asia," Mr Bailey said.

"It's going to be difficult we think to identify the ship responsible because of the volume of trade along there but we're doing ... everything we can to identify it.

"Whoever did this absolutely deserves to be prosecuted."

The owner of the ship responsible could face a maximum fine of almost $12 million.

AustraliaPlus


 

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