Buriganga’s Sucker Fish: Solution or Silent Threat?
The idea of harvesting sucker fish from the heavily polluted Buriganga River has recently created a buzz. Initially, it may seem like an innovative solution to one of our long-standing environmental challenges.
There are significant risks to consider before implementing this practice on a large scale. Recent discussions indicate that catching and using these fish could provide new income for fishermen and help clean up rivers. However, there may be potential dangers to human health that outweigh the perceived benefits.
As bottom feeders, sucker fish absorb toxic substances from the riverbed. The Buriganga River is recognized as one of the most polluted rivers in Bangladesh, contaminated by industrial waste, heavy metals, and untreated sewage.
Fish living in such an environment inevitably absorb harmful pollutants like lead, mercury, and arsenic. If these sucker fish are caught and used as animal feed, they will enter the food chain.
As a result, even if not consumed directly, they could pose significant health risks through processed products. These risks include neurological disorders, organ damage, and long-term exposure to carcinogenic substances.
The toxic compounds found in sucker fish can also present health risks to animals. Additionally, these toxins can bioaccumulate, potentially leading to further environmental contamination as they spread through the food chain.
Another proposed use for sucker fish is converting them into fertilizer for agricultural purposes. However, this raises concerns about whether fertilizers derived from polluted fish may introduce hazardous substances into the soil.
Heavy metals and toxic chemicals absorbed by the fish do not disappear. Instead, they can accumulate in crops grown using this fertilizer.
Food safety issues in Bangladesh could worsen by this practice, leading to contamination of vegetables, grains, and fruits eaten by people. Research should be conducted to determine whether this method could introduce toxins into an already vulnerable food system.
So, using sucker fish from the Buriganga River may seem economically beneficial, but the health and environmental risks are significant.
