obmar
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Breeders ‘losing fish to sludge’2007/05/26
Breeders ‘losing fish to sludge’
By : Shahrum Sayuthi
Fish breeder Noorsirat Abdul Aziz scooping out dead fish from a cage in Kampung Tanjung Batu, Temerloh, yesterday. — NST picture by Azmaidi Abidin
TEMERLOH: Fish breeders in several villages along Sungai Pahang are suffering huge losses due to what they claim to be indiscriminate dumping of sludge at a sand mining operation site.
Even more frustrating for them is that the Department of Environment (DOE) has allegedly failed to act on their complaints.
Noorsirat Abdul Aziz, 29, who is a participant of an integrated caged fish culture project in Kampung Tanjung Batu, said there had been five incidents of sludge dumping in the area over the past few months.
"Thousands of fish died each time it happened. The officers who checked the dead fish said it was a minor problem which could have been caused by a disease."
Noorsirat said the dead fish had to be disposed of immediately as they not only posed a health hazard but also attracted crocodiles in the river.
He said the officers also failed to take into account that by the time they came to investigate, the sludge had already been dispersed by the river’s current.
Noorsirat lodged a report on the latest incident at the Temerloh police station on May 20.
A check at the 60 fish cages revealed hundreds of dead fish from the latest incident.
Fishermen in Kampung Tebal, Kampung Pangsanan, Kampung Lepak and Tanjung Krayong were also affected by the alleged pollution.
Noorsirat claimed that he and several fishermen had monitored the sand mining site, located several kilometres upriver, and seen workers dumping the sludge at night.
"We hope the DOE and other authorities will take action."
Noorsirat’s claims were supported by an angler, who was seen fishing near the cages.
Sabaruddin Ismail, 60, said it had been difficult to get a good catch over the past few months.
"I saw the sludge floating downstream on several occasions and believe it is the cause for the dwindling fish in the river of late."
Temerloh DOE branch head Mahdi Ahmad said investigations into the latest report showed that there had been an accidental oil spill at the sand mining operation site on the day of the incident.
"It is not caused by sludge," he said, adding that the operator of the sand-dredging vessel had been told to take steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Mahdi denied knowledge of previous reports of pollution in the area as claimed by the fishermen.
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obmar
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The Inquisitor
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obmar,
Doesn't the DOE have the authority to fine the mining company for its negligence?? Just suggesting that they stop is hardly ever effective. When the mining company runs the risk of fines that outweigh its cost for fixing the problem, they will act, but not before.
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obmar
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Enforcement might be the problem.
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The Inquisitor
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obmar,
You should find out who has the authority to enforce the given laws over there and push for justice. Isn't there a way you can get a petition going to force the topic in the government?
btw, I just saw the trailer for the movie Sicko by Michael Moore. It compares US healthcare with Canada, France, England and Cuba. It's a pretty eye-opening experience.
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