He leaked poison into a creek, killing 1700 fish. He's stuck with the $97k fine

He leaked poison into a creek, killing 1700 fish. He's stuck with the $97k fine

By Jonathan Guildford

Source: stuff

5/26/2020

An employee who killed more than 1700 fish after spilling ammonia into a Christchurch creek has tried — and failed — to escape a $97,000 fine.

Cold storage business Polarcold Stores Ltd broke strict environmental laws when it released ammonia into Kaputone Creek in Belfast, Christchurch in April 2018.

The spill covered a five-kilometre stretch of the creek, killing mainly eels, some of which were longfins — a rare species that is declining in number and regarded as being at risk.

The creek is an important kaimoana site for the Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Iwi.

A cultural impact report from the iwi at the time said members felt the incident wasted their efforts to restore the fishery and habitat.

Polarcold Stores Ltd and its employee, Russell William Trent, were found guilty of the toxic spill in the Christchurch District Court and were fined $145,350, and $97,000 respectively.

Trent appealed the fine on the grounds it was “manifestly excessive”.

A recently released judgment from the appeal hearing outlines new details about the incident.

Continue...

News Id		Source	Stamp	country
151	The Experimental Edge of Fishing Technology: Ditching Ropes	undark	2024-09-03	US
152	Fall is also for fishing	the reporter online	2024-09-03	US
153	Research shows 50-year generation gap in the bigmouth buffalo	University of Minnesota	2024-09-03	US
154	How salmon cope with hydrogen sulphide in land-based fish farms	thefishsite	2024-08-30	NO
155	Three catfish farms and counting...	thefishsite	2024-08-30	NG
156	Two West Virginia fishing buddies break state records	Fox News	2024-08-26	US
157	Michigan officials reel in record 125-pound prehistoric fish stretching 6-plus feet long	Fox News	2024-08-27	US
158	Baton Rouge man faces fines, jail time after catching over 450 fish illegally	brproud	2024-08-12	US
159	teaching adults with developmental disabilities how to fish	boston25news	2024-08-14	US
160	Ohio man and business owner sentenced after dumping 7,000 gallons of ammonia into a river	wtrf	2024-08-14	US
161	Scientists warn against releasing invasive fish species after specimens found in Japan waters	mainichi	2024-08-16	JP
162	Hook, line, and sinker - a tale of fishing, injuries and making the most of life	notllocal	2024-08-15	US
163	Scale back salmon to save rare fish	northweststar	2024-08-16	AU
164	Angler reels in big one — and ends up with catch big enough to break 37-year record	modbee	2024-07-23	US
165	Young anglers strange spiny balloon-like catch turns out to be rare	modbee	2024-07-26	IT
166	Fight was on for angler who reeled in record-breaking monster fish in Montana	modbee	2024-08-16	US
167	В Калининграде на Верхнем озере массово гибнут птицы и рыба	RG	2024-08-27	RU
168	Banksy confirms artwork on London police box is his	sky	2024-08-11	UK
169	Ten-year fishing ban improves biodiversity in Yangtze River	CGTN	2024-08-12	CN
170	Whistleblowers report SeaQuest Fort Worth for dozens of animal deaths	culturemap	2024-08-13	US
171	N.B. fishermen test new gear in bid to stay on the water	CBC News	2024-08-15	CA
172	This blind, poop-eating cavefish from Mexico tastes with its head	discover wildlife	2024-08-16	MX
173	Fishs incredible 4,065-mile journey revealed when anglers check tag	miamiherald	2024-08-16	US
174	Ontarios Loonhaunt Lake delivers memorable fishing adventure for first-time visitors	echopress	2024-08-23	CA
175	Underwater speed demon breaks ocean records	essa news	2024-08-09	US