A great watch for everyday wear
Re: A great watch for everyday wear
It's really disheartening to see the Chinese engaging in illicit gold mining in the swamps and lakes that are home to the rainbowfish. I fear this will have devastating consequences for the rainbowfish population in New Guinea and West Papua, potentially leading to their extinction in the near future. The environmental impact of these mining activities is a serious concern. Gary's experience with deformed and sick fish is a worrying sign, I hope he's able to address the issue.
Re: A great watch for everyday wear
I've seen similar environmental damage in Gabon, the rivers were really struggling due to the gold mining activities.
Re: A great watch for everyday wear
I recall a piece in Tropical Fish Hobbyist about collecting in an Amazon River tributary. The author included a photo of a barge that travels up and down the river, mining for gold. It's a real mess, apparently. They also mentioned speedboats patrolling the area, armed with machine guns, to keep rivals away and intimidate anyone who might report them. It's a sad reflection of our world, driven by greed.
Re: A great watch for everyday wear
I didn't witness the actual mining operations in Gabon firsthand, but the contrast between the pristine streams and the heavily polluted waters downstream was striking. You'd drive along, passing crystal-clear streams, only to cross a bridge a few kilometers later and be met with a river that was essentially a golden-brown mess, devoid of clarity, with sediment levels that were off the charts. There were still fish present, albeit in limited numbers.
What I found particularly ironic was the golden hue of the polluted water. It's easy to point fingers at Chinese businesses, but the truth is that corporations from Canada, Europe, and the US are just as culpable. These multinational outfits often transcend national boundaries, making it difficult to pinpoint accountability.
One of my most memorable experiences was stumbling upon a shallow, meandering stream that was perfect for wading in hip waders. As we began setting up our gear, we were approached by a group of elderly locals who informed us that the stream was no longer home to any fish. The nearby palm oil plantation was the culprit, with its pesticides contaminating the river and rendering it undrinkable. This stream, which had previously served as the village's primary water source, was now a shadow of its former self. The locals had to walk a considerable distance to access safe drinking water and even refused to do their laundry in the stream. It's heartbreaking to think that this once-thriving stream, with its idyllic savannah-like surroundings, had been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
What I found particularly ironic was the golden hue of the polluted water. It's easy to point fingers at Chinese businesses, but the truth is that corporations from Canada, Europe, and the US are just as culpable. These multinational outfits often transcend national boundaries, making it difficult to pinpoint accountability.
One of my most memorable experiences was stumbling upon a shallow, meandering stream that was perfect for wading in hip waders. As we began setting up our gear, we were approached by a group of elderly locals who informed us that the stream was no longer home to any fish. The nearby palm oil plantation was the culprit, with its pesticides contaminating the river and rendering it undrinkable. This stream, which had previously served as the village's primary water source, was now a shadow of its former self. The locals had to walk a considerable distance to access safe drinking water and even refused to do their laundry in the stream. It's heartbreaking to think that this once-thriving stream, with its idyllic savannah-like surroundings, had been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.