POLLUTION has taken a toll on the livelihood of 2,000 fishermen in 10 locations in the state, said Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
CAP president S.M. Mohamed Idris said fishermen in these places claimed their income had dropped from RM100 to RM20 a day because of the pollution.
He said effluents from factories and the destruction of mangrove areas led to the extinction of 25 marine species including 10 types of fishes.
He said that according to Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (Pifwa), among the popular fishes that had become extinct were the terubok, kedera, senangin, yu, belanak, todak, kurau, tirus, merah and jenahak.
CAP urged the state government, the Department of Environment, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, and local councils to take immediate action to control the pollution at source.
He claimed that Kuala Juru, Changkat, Jelutong and Balik Pulau were the worst hit areas.
He said the affected rivers included Sungai Juru and Sungai Pinang, Sungai Kerian, Sungai Tengah, Sungai Ayer Itam, Sungai Nipah and Sungai Pulau Betong.
“The water in the rivers is smelly and black. Tonnes of garbage are also dumped in the rivers,” he alleged.
Sources of pollution included toxic wastes, fuel discharge, effluents from pig and prawn farms and waste from construction sites, added Mohamed Idris.
source The Star Thursday August 2, 2007
