Lobito - Dozens of young people are caught daily fishing in the mangroves in the lower area of the city of Lobito, province of Benguela, damaging the habitat of migratory birds, ANGOP learned Monday.
According to environmentalist Madaleno Constantino, 'pseudo-fishermen' are even using mosquito nets to collect fish and other nutrients, which serve as food for flamingos, pelicans and other species.
'This situation occurs in the mangroves located in the neighborhoods of Caponte, Cassai and Zona Comercial', he denounced.
He stated that in the vicinity of the Carmona bridge (commercial area), 'fishing is increasing with each passing day, under the undaunted and serene gaze of the people who pass by'.
'In the neighborhoods of Caponte and Cassai, miners create barriers, blocking the entry of water to dry the lagoons with the purpose of exploiting the salt', he informed, adding that in the 'Ponte das Cuculas' the capture is being done at a 'pace unrestrained'.
According to the expert, if this trend cannot be stopped, there will be no migratory birds in Lobito for some time, because they will find alternatives in other places to survive.
The member of ADAMA, the Association that defends the Lobito wetlands, regretted not having the power to stop this criminal action, but said that he has been carrying out advocacy, environmental education and awareness raising to discourage this practice.
Madaleno Constantino also said that despite 'everyone seeing', including at night, there is no type of supervision.
Young Paulo Martins, caught fishing in the act, admitted it was an environmental crime.
'We are forced to resort to this practice because we have nothing to eat, and, in order not to steal, we chose to take some fish right here in the mangrove forest', he explained.
Last year, Otchiva, an organization that protects and restores mangroves in Angola, in collaboration with ADAMA and the Municipal Administration of Lobito, mobilized 'environmentally friendly' people to denounce all practices harmful to the habitat of migratory birds. .
Because of its beauty and rarity, the flamingo became the symbol of the city, which became known as 'Lobito-city of flamingos'. TC/CRB/DOJ
