Anger over fish bin removal
Boaties were up in arms last week when they discovered the red bin for fish carcass disposal and another for general waste had been removed from the Entrance Point boat ramp in Broome.
The Shire of Broome took the bins away for about 10 days but they were swiftly returned a day after the _Broome Advertiser _ made inquiries with the council.
Shire engineering services director Michael Dale put it down to an "administrative oversight".
Mr Dale said the bins were removed to be cleaned and sterilised while the council determined how they would be serviced in the future.
"The bins are now back in place but unfortunately were not replaced as promptly as we would like due to an administrative oversight," he said.
"We apologise for the inconvenience."
West Kimberley Fishing Tours owner Jeff Prunster was furious when the bins disappeared overnight.
Mr Prunster said he saw people throwing fish carcasses in the ocean at Entrance Point and in bushland close to where the bins were positioned.
"We have to put our fish carcasses in the bin when we land," he said.
"We can't throw them in the ocean or around the boat ramp, because that would encourage sharks and crocodiles.
"People were dumping carcasses around the bushes and near the beach."
Port of Broome chief executive Vic Justice said the lack of bins at Entrance Point presented potential environmental health issues.
"We had a few days when there were no bins and people were just dropping their rubbish and fish carcasses all over the place," he said.
Mr Justice said he would meet with Shire chief executive Kenn Donohoe to discuss responsibility of the bins.
"As far as the people who use the boat ramp go, I guess they don't care who pays as long as the bins are there," he said. The Entrance Point bins are located on Port of Broome land and serviced six times a week by the council. The arrangement is reviewed annually.
