|
|
"To
Fish, or Not to Fish. That is the Question."
An article by Ronald Lau Last summer, while enjoying my long and hot summer vacation months, I became caught up in a simple yet thrilling sport, Fishing. I don't how it happened, but it did. Even though I fished numerous times last summer I could not catch one. I continue to go fishing around the peninsula and south bay when I have time. However recently, I fished at the port of Redwood City and to my surprise I realized something was wrong. In chilling bold letters the sign posted on the port read, " Warning: Fish in the bay contain mercury and can be dangerous to your health." To my amazement, I soon comprehended that our community was no longer safe. For years I have heard the boring national reports from news and teachers regarding the destruction of the environment but I never paid attention. I used to think to myself, "How will the great 'danger' to the environment affect me and my life." Sadly, it had to hit home and my community for me to come to my senses. A few months had past since my fishing incident at the port, when I was disturbed by another precaution that warned Albertson consumers of mercury in fish and seafood. This warning happened right here in Redwood City. From that moment on I had had it. I went online and did some research and soon found cases of hazardous and toxic waste spills that have occurred here in the bay area. I am not saying that the fish sold in Redwood City supermarkets are caught in the San Francisco Bay. Fish sold in grocery stores are rather bred in food friendly "fish farms" where they are later put in the market for sale. Nevertheless, the risk of mercury still exists. For example a report done by Kathryn R. Mahaffey, of the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), asserts, "Fish and shellfish virtually all contain mercury, though both concentration and consumption vary widely" (epa.gov). The research done by the EPA in 2001 reported that children's exposure to methyl mercury doubled the risk of subnormal scores in neuropsychological tests that show children's ability to learn and process information. Other valid information I have found online explained how our military forces here in the bay area were found guilty of improperly disposing toxics. The Alameda Point Naval Air Station (1939-1997) occupied 2,700 acres of shoreline and tidelands on the West End of the Island City of Alameda. Reports indicate, "virtually all the hazardous waste generated by the Navy at this facility was dumped into the bay or atmosphere" (toxicspot.com) Since 1983, twenty-five individual toxic sites at Alameda Point have been ordered to clean up. The problem with Alameda Point Naval Air Station continues to bear a burden on its residents who live nearby and also the entire bay area. Problems such as radiation have arisen because of the Navy's handling of depleted uranium munitions and use of radium paints in fluorescent dials. According to toxicspot.com, other reports have found that the Naval Air Station spilled volumes of petroleum fuels that "far exceeds the volume spilled during the Valdez disaster in Prince William sound." Similarly, the East Bay is not alone when it comes to hazardous and toxic spots in the Bay Area. On the peninsula in Mountain View, relatively recent built homes have found mercury and other toxic materials in their backyards. The cause: In the 1970's and 1980's semiconductor businesses and corporations all throughout Silicon Valley mishandled harsh cleaning solvents and other chemicals to build and operate computers and electronics. These corporations spilled these chemicals on land and disposed them in their facility sinks. Over time, the company that once occupied the area left and houses were built on top of these sites. As a result, the EPA has declared this area and other areas in the peninsula and south bay as Superfund Sites, uncontrolled or abandoned areas where hazardous waste is located, possibly affecting local ecosystems or people. So what is my point behind writing all this? Awareness. I wrote this article not to cause alarm to the teens and people who read this. The article is intended to bring exposure to this issue in our community that truly is underrepresented. For the meantime, I will continue to fish and hopefully catch a fish one day. Really, fishing is an exciting sport. However this time around, I will try to avoid the consumption of the sea. Back to top |
