SHRIMP FARMING ACTIVITY THREATENS DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN KUALA SG PINANG

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The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and the Fisheries Department to investigate the problem of shallow drainage caused by effluents from shrimp ponds in Kuala Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, Penang.

 The long-standing problem which has been going on since 10 years ago will be further polluting the environment, affect fisheries and cause flash floods in the area if not addressed. 

In a survey conducted by CAP, we found that besides the deposition of sediment which has caused drainage of about 1km here becoming shallow, the effluent from the shrimp ponds was also flowing into the sea. 

CAP is concerned that the white foamy discharge in the drainage here may contain substances that could possibly poison and threaten marine life, besides polluting the environment. 

The tens of hectares of mangrove forests that are breeding grounds for marine life have also been destroyed by the implementation of the aquaculture project. CAP has received complaints from fisherfolk in this area that fish, shrimp, crabs and shell-fish here have dwindled and are being threatened with extinction. 

CAP hopes that the relevant authorities will resolve the problems immediately because if left neglected, the environment and the livelihoods of over 200 coastal fishers who depend on the marine resources in the area will be affected. 

The residents near the shrimp farm project here may also be threatened by flash floods during rain because the drainage system is stagnant and would subsequently overflow during downpours. 

It is imperative that the responsible parties address this problem immediately to curb more serious adverse impacts on the environment, fishers livelihoods and lives of residents here.

Media Statement, 3 July 2019