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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 May 2000 Issue No. 482 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 May 2000 Issue No. 482
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Heritage Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Sinking with the ship
By Mariz TadrosThe fishing grounds off Abu Qir, east of Alexandria, are deserted. In the area, the odour of fish still permeates the air, but there is very little activity. The smell hangs over the central fish market like a ghost. Fish trays lie empty and the restaurants are vacant. Many fishermen pass away the time in coffee shops, glumly sipping tea. Others lie next to their boats pensively waiting to go back out to sea.
A visit to Abu Qir two weeks earlier would have produced a very different impression. The town is normally home to a thriving industry. Fish lovers and traders from far and wide flock to this small port and have done so for centuries. The sinking of the Syrian cargo ship Dalia II, almost a fortnight ago, now threatens this age old tradition.
The ship went down 10 miles off the Abu Qir coastline, taking with it several tanks of nitric acid along with some other chemicals. As Dalia II sank, one of the tanks ruptured. Over 321 tons of nitric acid leaked forming a slick 100 metres wide and 2.3 kilometre long. The disaster immediately set off fears of an ecological catastrophe.
Preliminary tests carried out by the navy and the Ministry of Environment indicate that the ecological damage was probably minimal. However, Abdel-Salam El-Mahgoub, governor of Alexandria, decided that it was best to err on the side of caution. After the ship went down, he issued instructions that all fishing in the area be stopped. Yet, no financial compensation was offered to the fishermen affected. Since many families are completely dependent on the Abu Qir grounds for their livelihood, many ignored the ban.
Due to widespread fear of contamination, however, sales have plummeted. The moratorium, together with press coverage reporting possible health hazards have killed the market.
"It's over for us," sighed Ahmed Mohsen, a fish monger. "Rumours that the fish is contaminated have crippled this area and the surrounding region. Our livelihoods are ruined."
Mahmoud Kamaleddin, owner of a fish restaurant, has been in the business for 40 years, but he has never seen it so bad. Looking about the street, he estimated that 70 per cent of the 18,000 inhabitants of Abu Qir have suffered financial losses. Kamaleddin is no exception. At the lunch hour, his shop is empty. Clasping his hands in dismay, Kamaleddin said, "Ever since the ship sank, we have not had any customers. People are so scared. The fishing trade has been brought to a complete halt." He added, "I used to sell over 100 kgs a day, but since the sinking, I hardly manage to sell a single kilo."
Yet, despite the spill Kamaleddin is adamant that, "There is nothing wrong with the fish. Had the fish been contaminated, wouldn't they be lying dead on the beach?" Kamaleddin points to the seashore and demands, "Look at the beach and tell me if you see any." There are none to be seen.
Magdi Ali, a fisherman, expressed similar frustration. Ali explains that the combined effect of the moratorium with the normal reduction in activity due to the breeding season "has completely wiped us out." As an example of the sorry state of the local market he noted that before the disaster shrimp was selling for LE90 per kilo. It has since dropped to LE40 per kilo. Ali pointed out, "We eat fish every day, and nothing has happened to us. We are perfectly healthy." He dismisses the widespread fear as unwarranted, since "if the fish were contaminated, we would be dead by now."
These residents of Abu Qir, however, have little choice. Their livelihoods depend on allying health concerns. Other economic options are extremely limited. This is especially true of the fishermen themselves, who are generally among the poorest of Abu Qir's residents. The shanty slums they call home have been devastated by the moratorium.
Among environmental experts and scientists there are conflicting views on the actual impact of the leak. Some environmentalists argue that the large quantity of nitric acid spilled into the sea indicates a high probability of dangerous toxicity levels. But others believe that due to strong winds and currents in the area, the acid was probably dissipated. The actual impact on the environment, they contend, should prove minor. Indeed, preliminary tests look optimistic. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) reported their marine life samples do not show high nitric acid concentrations. However, Mohamed Mahmoud of the EEAA warned against premature conclusions. He said these results do not "exclude the possibility that there may be low pollution levels."
Despite disagreement over the actual environmental damage, there is a general consensus on the pressing need to raise the other tanks off the sea floor as soon as possible. These tanks contain 145 tons of nitric acid as well as 80 tons of other chemicals. Yet, a target date for the removal of the tanks has not been determined. Mohamed Mahmoud explained that the delay is due to the complicated and costly nature of the necessary salvage operation. The navy, in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, is currently looking into the matter.
Fishermen fear that if the tanks are not removed quickly, concerns regarding the safety of their fish will persist. Mahmoud Ahmed, a fisherman, is deeply troubled by this possibility. He says that the high business season is quickly approaching. From June to August, holiday-makers flock to Alexandria and Abu Qir fish is in high demand. "If this issue of water pollution is not addressed before then, we are doomed. In order to pay for boat maintenance and fishing expenses we take out loans throughout the year. The revenue from the summer season is used to repay these loans. What will happen if there is no market for our fish this summer?" he asked with stoic resignation.
In Abu Qir there is a deep sense of injustice. An oft heard complaint is, "It is not our fault that the ship sank. Why do we have to pay for it?"
