Page 57 - claims information pack ebook_e
P. 57

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
        8
                      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.
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