The sudden death of a few fish and 150 or so corbeaux may not seem to be particularly alarming–especially the latter, as they are considered by many to have only nuisance value and are not blessed with the aesthetics of other birds.This may be one reason why the response of the authorities to date suggests they may not be treating the incidents sufficiently seriously.
They do not seem to be sufficiently proactive in ensuring that the carcasses are swiftly and thoroughly tested to determine the cause or causes of the deaths, to ensure there are no recurrences or disastrous consequences, and either to advise people that they need not worry, or warn them what precautions they may need to take.That two unexplained kills have taken place in different places and among different species in so short a period should set alarm bells ringing.
Even those without strong feelings for crabs, crayfish and corbeaux can understand that detailed investigations are necessary to ensure that whatever killed off these creatures does not pose a threat to human health and life.
Were the fish found dead last week in the Marianne River poisoned so that they could be caught more easily and then sold to unsuspecting consumers? If something else in the water killed them, is it still there? Is that water drunk by people in the area or further afield? What might happen to those who drink or swim in the river, or eat other fish caught there?
Whether the fish and birds were deliberately poisoned, were affected by some chemical in their surroundings or fell prey to some disease, there might be implications for the human population who drink the same water, breathe the same air and might buy and consume fish from the same river.While the cause of the deaths is ascertained, there needs to be a simultaneous information campaign aimed at preventing toxic substances from entering the food chain, either deliberately or by accident.
Further, it must always be remembered in such situations that the Trinidad environment, in particular, is under threat from a number of sources. The fish and bird kills could have resulted from toxic waste let loose into the general ecosystem.
While the energy sector is responsible for much of the country's wealth, it is also responsible for producing hazardous and environmentally damaging byproducts. There is indiscriminate littering and dumping of all kinds of wastes and the widespread use of dangerous chemicals with little enforcement of regulations.The local environment is under huge pressure from this industrial and domestic pollution and little or nothing is being done to reduce or control these pressures.
At the same time that such damage to the environment is taking place, the local institutions charged with the responsibility of protecting it are doing a less-than-convincing job of safeguarding the living circumstances of man and animal.The environment ministry and the Environmental Management Authority should be speaking out and taking action on a regular basis to put this right.