In Jamaica, Residents Check What Giant Freshwater Shrimp Remain For Signs Of Poison-Fishing - NYT

[hatrack]

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Jamaica — Catching freshwater shrimp in the legendary Rio Grande here in the forested hills of eastern Jamaica used to be done at night with a homemade bamboo torch in one hand and a sharp spear in the other. Wave the flame low over the water and the shrimp eyes glow. Aim the spear with a steady hand and throw. It is painstaking work. The results, though, are worth the effort — succulent shrimp, known locally as janga, that can be the size of lobsters.

Elders recall going down to the river just before dinnertime and plucking out as many shrimp as were needed that evening. The creatures were thrown in a pot with coconut milk, tomatoes and plenty of spice. The smell alone would bring the children to the table. But those days are fading. Shrimp are getting harder to find on the Rio Grande, and those who live by its banks now eat more chicken and goat. When they do eat the shrimp, they must inspect them carefully inside and out for signs of poison.

Man’s destruction of the natural world takes many shocking forms. Poachers gun down elephants for the ivory and leave the carcasses to rot. Illegal foresters slash the trees of the rain forests for a quick buck. And in the Blue Mountains and John Crow Mountains here, people go fishing by dumping poison in the Rio Grande.

Any toxin will do. Some favor the pesticide used to keep insects off the coffee plants. Others use the potent solution used to rid cows of ticks. When subjected to the poison, the shrimp — large and small — float right to the top. So do the fish. Catching them is as easy as scooping them up before the river washes them and the poison away.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/world/americas/15jamaica.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[AlecBGreen]

1. anything to make a buck

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Giant shrimp -- a delicious oxymoron.

A shame to see this happening now, when substitence fishing has not affected the population after many years.

Interesting that they grow to such size in a freshwater river. Compare:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_giant_freshwater_crayfish

(note to self: shrimp, coconut milk, tomatoes, spices)