On Saturday we visited the fishing village of Coronel near Conception. We experienced first hand some of the major problems that the local people here deal with each and every day. There is major pollution of both air and water.
International companies control the fishing and are not ecologically minded. Local fishermen are restricted to the months of the year in which they can fish and the types of boats that they are allowed to use. The fishermen can fish only 3 months per year and the large companies fish all year long. Since the fish are harvested in such large quantities, there are not enough mature fish left to breed and produce more.
Last year there was an oil spill that damaged the entire peninsula. We were able to see areas of the bay that still had oil floating on the water. A number of sea lions still are covered with oil.
Coronel is a mining and fishing community -- but now the mines have closed and the men cannot fish for most of the year. With the oil spill there are some types of fish that will not be back to "normal" for another 6 years. Many men are out of work.
This picture shows a number of the fishing boats and some of the many petrochemical facilities that surround the bay. The government has fishing laws which are not enforced. The companies find it much cheaper to pay the fines than fix the problems.
Women work in the fish processing factories cleaning fish. The waste is washed back into the ocean. The chemical residue from cleaning the fish is difficult to remove and the women leave work to care for their children with the chemical wastes still on them. Since there is little other work available, they have little choice of employment.
The odor constantly in the air is similar to what I smelled in Newark, NJ 30 years ago. It stinks! There is a high rate of respiratory infection in children, and the health care facilities are full of children with breathing problems. People have a much higher rate of cancers here, as well.
We met with the church council at Iglesia Evangelica Luterana San Pedro in Coronel, most of whom are fishermen or married to fishermen. As we discussed on Saturday night, the Spirit of God breathes in unexpected ways -- and there is hope!
May the hope of the people of San Pedro be with us all! (Posted by Candy -- even if it says by Jon -- I can't find my email password :-| )
2 comments:
Hi to all of you. I have been following your trip with much interest. I had the pleasure of visiting Coronel with the last I/K group. My heart stirred and tears came as I have read and seen your pictures. What memories of the wonderful people of the IELCH, and the ministry they are involved with in each of their own communities. I saw and still see the face of Jesus as they reach out to those in need. I continue to pray for all of you and your companionship, as you walk together with Jesus hand in hand.
God's peace and joy as you serve the Lord in this coming week.
Sandy P.
Actually, the oil spill was last MONTH.
Post a Comment