Fishermen complain over low fish output

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Fish catches in the Palu Gulf had dropped dramatically during the past two years because of sand dredging in the area, fishermen said on Thursday.

Mangge Sabrin, a fisherman, said before the sand mining activities were allowed by the government, he brought home Rp 500,000 (US$55.5) to Rp 750,000 a month from fishing. However, after dredging started his earnings had dropped to Rp 250,000 a month.

Another fisherman, Ali, 69, said the dredging had polluted parts of the gulf and killed fish in the area. -- JP