The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM grateful to the MP for Montagu for providing her constituents with information regarding the recent fish kill in the area.

Mrs Loretta Butler-Turner was advised of an elevation of chlorine in the water samples that were, in fact, tested. According to her information, the chlorine was confined to a relatively small area. All indications are that "all is now safe".

Mrs Butler-Turner regretted there was no conclusive evidence as to the cause of the fish kill because, she said, it "appears there were no definitive protocols followed by the reporting agencies. The time lapse in getting specimens also affected the inconclusive results".

All the tidal movements and the consumption of the dead fish by seagulls also hampered their efforts. It is now essential for the various agencies to establish and adhere to protocols regarding such incidents in the future.

I am sorry that this was handled this way but I believe that this is a lesson to ensure that this does not occur again appears that there were no definitive protocols followed by the reporting agencies.

The questions are:

• What was the source of the chlorine?

• Who is responsible for a spill or leak of chlorine?

• Will anyone be held accountable?

As far as I'm aware, the minister for the environment has not made a statement on the matter.

Given the fact that the public swims off the Montagu Beach and the vendors store seafood in the water, I would have expected a full public disclosure.

While on the subject of the Montagu, it would be interesting to know who owns the barge that was anchored idle in the area for some time.

You will recall, a fisherman claimed something was pumped from it. The barge vanished after the fish kill.

ATHENA DAMIANOS

Nassau,

January 20, 2012.