Page 57 - claims information pack ebook_e
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Guidelines for presenting claims in the fisheries, mariculture and fish processing sector
3. What should you do if there is oil pollution?
3.1 Firstly, don’t panic. Oil pollution usually between what you would normally expect
looks very bad, but it is not as poisonous to to earn and what you actually do earn.
fish and marine life as most people think.
It is very likely that things will return to Fishermen
near normal within a few weeks or months. 3.3 It is important that you keep records of what
The 1992 Fund has a well-tested means of you do and what has happened. It is very useful
compensating you for your losses, though to know exactly when the oil arrived in your
since all claims will need to be thoroughly area, what the weather conditions were and
assessed, it can take a little time for money what you did when it arrived. If you are able
to fish somewhere else, keep a record of how
to get through to the claimant.
much you catch and how much extra it costs
3.2 You are responsible for your business, you to fish there. Once the oil has gone from
whether it is fishing, mariculture or any other your normal fishing grounds, then you should
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business related to these activities, and it is try to return to fishing there straight away.
your responsibility to keep your losses as low 3.4 If you have fishing gear left in the sea (nets,
as possible. The 1992 Fund will find it difficult traps, etc) then you should get them back
to pay full compensation if you stop business as soon as it safe to do so without causing
completely when in fact there are other them to become contaminated. If they do
ways of operating. This might mean fishing become contaminated by oil, then keep them
in another area, working in some other until they have been inspected by somebody
job (such as cleaning up the oil) or getting representing the 1992 Fund/shipowner’s
supplies of fish from unaffected areas. insurer, or at least try to take clear
The Fund can compensate for the difference photographs showing the extent of damage.