Ugh. Glad I saw this. Will not be heading out to Sosua Beach for a good while.
This was in Sosua news and i doubt i will ever swim there again unless there are conclusive studies done that it is safe to swim there
13 December 2009
Fishermen complain about pollution
The hut belonging to the fishermen's association (Associaci?n de pescadores) stands along the mouth of the river Sos?a, in Charamicos, where the fishermen moor up their boats. The fresh fish that they catch is prepared for the market - to be sold to private citizens, but mostly to the restaurants and hotels. However, the chairman of the association, William Arvedo (better known as 'Col?n') is complaining about the lack of government support. The river runs through several villages, and villagers use it as an open sewer. Eventually it flows into the bay where the fishermen keep their boats and process their fish. The suburb known as La Piedra also discharges its wastewater directly into the bay. Another problem is that the fishermen are finding it harder to moor up their boats, because the dying coral reef is a hindrance. The boats have to be towed over the reef whenever they enter or leave the bay. Many fishermen are complaining about back problems, even hernia, caused by this daily towing action. The environmental organisation, SOMONCA, led by Milo Mart?nez, has tried to reduce the river pollution.
Asociaci?n de pescadores
He has offered to set up a small fishing harbour, with financial support from donors. However, the implementation of this idea is apparently hindered by the lack of political will, because property developers want to develop a large bungalow park and yacht marina. Some real estate websites are already publishing drawings of these plans. But if this pollution problem is not resolved quickly, even the beautiful waters of the adjacent Sosua bay will make swimming hazardous. If that happens, this will be a disaster for the town, because tourists will not dream of swimming in polluted water!
blip.tv (since 2005)
please don't plant me in the sugar cane fields