NT: Boat owners ignore move to rid Darwin of mussel pest

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-1999
NT: Boat owners ignore move to rid Darwin of mussel pest

A bid to save Australia's maritime environment from the destructive zebra mussel has been
hampered by lazy boat owners in Darwin.

The black striped mussel, which has destroyed marine industries in parts of India, Fiji,
Hong Kong and Japan, was found in Darwin's luxury Cullen Bay Marina last Monday.

MICK PALMER, the Northern Territory's Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister, last night
called on boat owners at the marina to turn on engines at 7am today.

He said it was vital to churn up the marina so that 70 tonnes of chlorine pumped into its
waters could spread, including to inside boat engines.

But a ministerial spokesman says only some owners took part in the exercise.

Mr PALMER has repeated his plea for boat owners to turn on engines and showers, and flush
their vessels' toilets for at least half an hour from 7am tomorrow.

AAP RTV wjh/lw

KEYWORD: MUSSELS (DARWIN)

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