WALHI: Industrial Waste Caused the Death of Thousands of Fish in Jakarta Bay
Jakarta- Although what caused the death of thousands of fish in the Jakarta Bay has been identified WALHI Jakarta demanded that the Jakarta Environmental Monitoring Agency (BPLHD) tighten the monitoring of the industrial waste facilities located around the bay. The BPLHD is regarded to have been too laxed on their monitoring of these facilities to allow the explosion of phytoplankton population (a phenomenon know as “red tide”) which have led to the massive fish deaths.
“We suspect industrial waste as the culprit because the phytoplankton population explosion only occurred around the bay. Such explosion usually occurs further of shore. That’s why we think there’s more than meets the eye in this case,” said WALHI Jakarta’s Executive Director, Slamet Daroyni, in Jakarta, Monday (5/24).
According to the Regional Autonomy Law, BPLHD is responsible for the industrial waste monitoring, especially in the Jakarta Bay. “BPLHD has no clear concept regarding industrial waste monitoring,” said Slamet. WALHI regrets the fact the BPLHD only acts after receiving a report from the public. Waste monitoring is supposed to be conducted regularly and following a clear strategy. (Tempo, 5/24).
WALHI believes that industrial waste dumping into the sea is one of the causes of the recent death of thousands of fish in the Jakarta Bay, which gained considerable media attention. “There is a strong indication of pollution from the industrial sector. Out of the five plants located in Ancol areas, three of them are located close to the sea. The three plants have disposal pipes leading to the Ancol Sea,” said Bejo, a member of WALHI investigation team.
Bejo added that according to information gathered from local the fisherfolk, whenever it rains or when the tide comes in, the waste dumping through the pipes take place. They are made aware of this because when dumping occurs the ocean changes in color and smell. The water becomes murky, rather muddy, and an unpleasant smell fills the air. Fish, shrimps or crab can no longer be found in those dumping points.
“That information came from the fishermen and we believe them because they are very experienced with the condition of the sea. When I pulled the anchor, there is a kind of brownish and oily residue which sticks to the anchor. According to the fisherfolk, that is the residue of the plant’s waste which are left at the bottom of the sea,” added Bejo.
Based on this strong suspicion that there has been sea pollution by a number of industries, Walhi Jakarta will conduct a laboratory test. Walhi hoped to be able to announce the result in a short time.
According to data by WALHI Jakarta which was released by Slamet Daroyni, only 10 percent of the 200 industrial companies in Jakarta actually own a Waste Water Processing Installation (IPAL). In addition, it was learned that at least 54 plants do not have Environmental Impacts Analysis (AMDAL). To make it worse, those plants are those producing waste classified as toxic and hazardous (B3). Using the flow of 13 Jakarta rivers, those waste producing companies have been dumping their waste into the sea. [imas] [st]
For more information, please contact:
Slamet Daroyni
Executive Director (WALHI Jakarta)
Email Slamet Daroyni
Telepon kantor: +62-021-8294770
Mobile:
Fax: +62-021-8294770
Created: 31 May 2004 | Updated: 31 May 2004
