Fish to curb water pollution

Fish to curb water pollution

BANDUNG: In a bid to negate the level of pollution of the
Cirata, Saguling and Jatiluhur dams in West Java, a special
species of fish will be released into the waters of the three
large dams.

Muhammad Husen, the head of the water exploitation office at
the fishery office in Bandung said here on Monday that the
Hypophthalmichtys prolitrix fish (silver carp or Chinese carp)
would function as a biocleaning agent in the dams' waters.

"The fish have pharynx teeth which can screen plankton, which
in the end could reduce the water pollution," he said.

Earlier reports said that fish cultivation businesses in the
dam compound had caused the pollution. The fish food reportedly
contained potential pollutants, including nitrogen, sulfur and
phosphorous.

The level of water pollution is indicated by the level of
acidity. (25/sur)