The recent study that found toxins in our freshwater fish was alarming and
has stimulated a lot of debate, especially in the trout fishing community
Mr Langer's letter (July 24) brought whitebait into the discussion and
questioned the safety of fishes that are eaten whole; livers, eyes and
all.
He made a very good point.
One thing though, that is missing from the
comments that have come through this newspaper and from baiters, eelers
and trout fishers, is around where these toxins are coming from.
The
finger has been pointed at rat poison, but from listening to the
scientists who presented the report, and from reading the report itself,
it seems that rat-bait is only a small part of the problem. The bulk of
the toxins being found in the livers of fish in rivers across Southland,
are agricultural chemicals; drenches and so on, used on livestock, then
excreted onto the soil to be washed into the streams and rivers by the
rain.
The wide range of chemical treatments used on livestock has always
been a concern for people who wonder about the downstream affects on human
health of pesticides, anthelmintics, fungicides and anti-biotics,
especially when their combined effect is considered.
Add those to the
widespread use of herbicides like Round Up and and we've got a cocktail
of chemicals that could show up, if tested for, in our fishes and mollusks
and eventually in our own bodies, if we happen to enjoy whitebait patties,
pan-fried trout or grilled flounder.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
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16 comments:
Around our way there is huge concern at what 1080 is doing to the trout fishery. Whilst only anecdotal evidence, a friend that lives on a Waioratene Stream tributary has noticed that following aerial 1080 operations the fish in the stream disappear.
Have you seen any evidence that may support this?
I've not heard anything quite as specific as the effect of 1080 on trout, para but this morning in the council I heard that the historical use of sheep dip caused the total disappearence of mayflys from Southland's waterways. There are any number of chemical treatments used these days that could be having similarly damaging effects on the environment. It's just a matter of studies into each of those, and their cumulative effects, being done. We know so little, we stand to lose so much, in my view.
Was the report Southland specific or is it covering NZ? Would appreciate a reference to it please.
Pete
Thanks RG
The stream in question is in forestry and native bush so hard to see agricultural chemicals having any impact.
I find the disappearance of bees in our environment to be very scary ... Especially when you consider how bees play such as important part in what we have available in our food supply.
Why do you think Robert the bees seem to be disappearing ..do you see the pollution we have in our environment paying an important part in the demise of the bees.
Clearly we need GE bees paulinem. /sarc.
I think there are probably a range of reasons why there are fewer bees. The development and use of the wonders of modern chemistry is one. Changes to farming practices is another.
My solution is echium. It flowers lots, for a long time, and bees love it so there's about 40 sq.m in the garden and plenty of bees.
Talking to beekeepers I understand they have had booming years since the varoa mite came in as it has seriously depleted, if not wiped out, feral bees. With no competition from wild bees, the farmed bees are making full use of the available flowers.
Pauline - the bee situation is greatly concerning on a number of levels. Para is right - the 'professional' beekeepers are doing well, because the amateurs and the wild hives are disappearing, leaving the field open. The field though, as AC describes, is shrinking fast as pasture grasses blanket the country and dairy farmers 'tidy up'. The role of toxic man-made chemicals used in industry and by the populace is having an effect that is difficult to gauge. Nicotinoids should have been banned here as they are proven to cause losses to commercial hives, but this government refused to do it. AC's on the right track with his suggestion that we plant for bees and the other pollintors. The group 'Trees for Bees' is making good progress toward that but it's not enough. A country-wide movement focused on biodiversity is needed. Every person can contribute to that. I am doing all I can and am about to launch a movement called 'Common Ground' that encompasses this and other vital 'planting' based initiatives. Wanna be part of that movement? I'll post on it soon. It's free and uplifting and for everyone and I intend, influential changing our physical and cognitive environments, in the way that you'd want to see, I reckon :-)
Count me in Robert. I'm keen to plant up available spaces with bee friendly species. Will you include advice on what to plant, and how to get access to places to plant it?
If I can help Robert I would love to be part of the rejuvenation of bees ... with my small section happy to plant any flowers etc as suggested
Thank you both. You are, naturally enough, early-birds in the movement You too, Viv and Chris-in-the-background :-) and I'll think of you as founding members, if you'll let me. Tonight, I'll put up the details for and explanation of what I propose and I welcome your comments on that. I have the 'story' in three magazines so far, waiting for publication, and hope/expect that the idea will be enthusiastically greeted by readers across the country. There was a time when I was tongue-in-cheekily proposing a political party called, the Garden Party, and ran a discussion around that on Frogblog - we were very strong on Lawn Order - and it put me in mind of doing something similar for real, once I'd 'found' the right vehicle and rationale. I think I have now.
Pauline and AC - I highly recommend phacelia for bees - it's magnetic to them (in a good way). Secondly, crimson clover - I can give you some seed, if you'd like it. Sedums come next. Bumble bees got crazy over it.
You echiums, AC, are excellent (there are several 'lengths' of echium - mine are super-tall, other varieties are shorter) and add extra layers for the bees, plus they are early. Even earlier, are flowering currants. If you can find one now, you could prune it and poke the cuttings into the soil. They 'take' easily and you'll have lots of flowering currants to plant out. Bees love 'em.
I'd love to accept your offer of red clover, but I can plant acres of it and it's probably best I buy it by the sack load.
You could, AC. You might like to get some crimson clover as well. It's an annual and not available from farming supply stores, usually.
Oh, ok. In that case I'd like some, please. Does it like to live in paddocks or would I have to make a garden bed for it?
It's a meadow kind of plant, but would be happy in a garden bed, especially mixed with other annuals.
See my most recent post :-)
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