Indonesian Authorities Yank Permits To Mussel Farmers - Water Pollution Levels Too High

[hatrack]

Authorities in Jakarta are no longer issuing permits to farmers to harvest green mussels because water pollution levels are so high.

At the same time, they are trying to encourage farmers to switch to catfish farming or move their operations to nearby Banten, an official said on Tuesday. “The quality of the water in the Bay of Jakarta is no longer good for farming green mussels,” said Ipih Ruyani, the head of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agency.

Ipih said green mussels were known for their capability to absorb heavy metal elements from the water around them and eat organic food residue. “With the poor water quality, green mussels can help clean the water, but under one condition ­— that they are not consumed afterward,” Ipih said.

Ipih said that shellfish from heavily polluted waters retained dangerous and toxic metals that could cause cancer and organ dysfunction that could eventually lead to death.

EDIT

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/nvironment/jakarta-mussel-farmers-urged-to-switch-to-fish/474059