People have been advised to keep their distance from the poisonous seafood

Keep a lookout, folks. Dangerous compounds have been found in the waters of Jakarta Bay reportedly been poisoning fish and paralyzing mussels. Experts say that the products are no longer safe for consumption. This is due to the excessive pollution of the river, leaving toxic and poisonous compounds to be digested in the fishes’ systems. Even small doses could potentially leave many civilians sick and lead to fatal outcomes.

The poison is reported to be metal compounds dumped into the bay. Unfortunately, upon exposure to the fish, the toxic property enters the fish’s body through its gills and pores and makes its way throughout the fish’s entire digestive system and accumulates in the organs.

The mussels that have come in contact with these hazardous elements are remarkably and conspicuously different from your regular healthy mussel. An indicator of an unsafe mussel is the texture and shape of the outer shell. The mussels that have been fished out of Jakarta Bay have round and lumpy physical properties as opposed to its usual flat and smooth surface.

The quality of fish is dependent on the quality of its environment. The poisonous compounds of the water have affected not only the country’s marine life but also the general health of its public. Consumption of this hazardous seafood has led people to develop cancer and kidney failure. And unfortunately, it is still spreading. Marine authorities report that contamination was found in these variations of fish: barracuda, pepetek, beloso, sokang and mussels.

The ecosystem of the bay is located in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The area is huge and surrounded by mostly industrial and residential lodgings. Not only is metal found in the river due to the industrial areas, there are also household fluids and waste contributing to the pollution of the river.

Change is very much needed for Jakarta Bay and with determination, maybe this river could go back to being a clean tourist attraction for Jakarta and an asset that brings health and proper nutrition to the deserving people of Indonesia.