Fishermen Suffered Because of Mines Waste

Lives is to difficult for fishermen on eastern shores of Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Province, since alot of tin mines with floating suction vessel operating in the coastal areas.

Their incomes fall dramatically due to reduced catches, while operating costs increased because they have to go to even further far sea.

This condition is triggered by damaged that happen to coast because of the waste from suction floating boats mines.

Fishermen from Teluk Uber Village, Sungailiat District, Bangka regency, Rosihan (48) said that fishermen incomes in the area dropped to only 30 percent over the last few years. Usually, they are able to obtain an average catch of 7 - 10 kilograms (Kg) of fish, but now only an average of 4 kg of fish.    

Some times, he explain on Sunday (2/26/12), they even get loss because their catch does not cover the capital for buy gasoline and supplies.

The fishermen in that area must also go out to farther sea, so the cost is increased. About seven years ago, fishermen just go to 3-4 miles from sea shores to get a plentiful catch. But now they have go up to 10 miles to catch a lot less. .    

According to Rosihan, the increasing of murky waters that happen on eastern coast of Bangka is caused by waste from tin mines suction ships that operate about 1-2 miles from the coast. As a result, the fish are getting away into the ocean.

A number of marine commodities are now extremely rare, because the fish homes, coral reefs, is disappear or dying because of the mines.

Mud and sand waste were continuously spurt from mines floating suction vessel that damaged coral reefs. In fact, the coral reef is home to a number of marine life and place for the fish spawn.

Only about 300 thousands Indonesian Rupiahs that tin mines compensate to fishermen every three months. Rosihan said the compensation do not cover their loss income.

Other fishermen, Akong (44), said the shrimp are usually a lot in along the coast from July to August, but for the last two years it no longer exists. And Crab catch is usually in the month of November to December was just half.

In fact, shrimp and crab is a source of income for the fishermen when they could not go to sea because of high waves. Shrimp and crab are fished with nets set along the shoreline.

July to August and November to December is now really a bad season for the fishermen. They are in debt just for survival of their family.

Hundreds of fishermen on the east coast of Bangka usually start go to sea at 04.00 AM at dawn and returned at 13.00 PM. They selling their fishs to traders who have been waiting for their catch on the beach. This is the life they have known since childhood and struggled for generations.

Ocean is the only source that always giving livelihood for them. Now, the fishermen were also felt the pain that covered by sea.

Pamekasan Gas Wells Easy to Burn

Gas burst in Gugul Village, Tlanakan District, Pamekasan Regency, East Java Province, Continued to become publik attention.

Field Research Agency of Observation and Investigation of Volcanology from Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Bandung, Carried out observation to the gas source point. By using a special measuring tool, the content available on the gas burst can be detected.

Ugan Sin, from field observations, friday (2/24/14), said the methane content of the gas is excess to 100 percent with 1.3 percent oxygen content. That means, harmful to residents around the gas point, especially if there is a fire spark in two meters distance.

With high content methane, gas can be burned directly when there is a fire spark. In addition, the oxygen content is also harmful to health.

Field observator also said, If the gas inhaled directly from two meters distance, it can cause shortness breath and dizziness.

To this day, jets of gas that erupted on Monday (2/13/2012), has begun to shrink. But this time gas burst mixed with water and mud. The gas burst quite small because the pressure shrinkage.

Meanwhile, based on laboratory test results from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, that had brought mud samples from the location. State the mud give no harm.

Chief of Pamekasan Regency, Kholilurrahman, also reliefed as researcher state that bursts of gas and mud not harmful. Nevertheless, he asked people to be vigilant.

Kolilurrahman urge people, not take action outside of his knowledge, for example, flowing the gas into homes before considering its negative impact.

Small Holes Phenomenon on Merapi Lava Crater

Team from Yogyakarta Volcano Investigation and Technology Development Center (BPPTK)discover a new phenomenon, many tiny holes formed in Mount Merapi crater.

The holes filled with water in Merapi lava crater plug. These holes diameter about five meters and located on the surface lava plug with reached 150 meters depth. The hottest holes temperature.reached 540 Celsius degrees.

Based on the photographs obtained by Yogyakarta BPPTK team, on Wednesday (2/23/12), there are three water-filled holes in the Merapi lava plug. Earlier, Mount Merapi has never had a crater so deep and filled with water.

Head of  Yogyakarta BPPTK, Subandriyo, explain that the emergence of this new phenomenon is closely related to Mount Merapi increasing seismic activity.

He added, there are two possibilities that may form tiny holes in the lava plug. First, the holes appear because there is an accumulation of pressure under the lava plug which led to cracks. Second, the holes may arise due small phreatic eruption of the interaction of rain with hot water from the crater.

Merapi crater after 2010 eruption is very different to the previous situation. Current crater depth is 150 meters with top diameter around 400 meters and base diameter about 300 meters.

Subandriyo said, the crater has an opening that leads to the south with a diameter between 400 to 500 meters. If at any time Mount Merapi eruption again, it does not erupt to the west but southern..

Mount Merapi 2010 eruption change the shape of the crater.  Historically, the eruption of Merapi in 2010 had a pattern similar to the last eruption in 1872.

Since two weeks ago, there is increased on Merapi seismic activity, and seismic activity of Merapi began to fall on Saturday, where shallow volcanic earthquake was recorded 35 times, multiphase 47 times, and then a one time avalanches.

It calm down on Sunday with 15 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 24 multiphase times, one miscarriage, and two tectonic earthquakes.

New species, Short-Legged Rainbow Lizard

A new species of lizard with rainbow colored skin, short legs, and long tail is found in Cambodia.

The species is named Lygosoma Veunsaiensis, according to the lizard habitat place name, Veun Sai-Siem Pang conservation.

The lizard was found in a remote area in 2010 by Flora & Fauna International (FFI) team and Conservation International.

Reptile expert form FFI, Neang Thy, explain that the creatures are hard to find because they spend much time underground.

Some of the new species is known only from a few individuals. Neang feel lucky to find it.

This species is unique because the lizard has short legs and a tail that longer than its body. Her skin has scales that can refract light so that it looks as colorful as a rainbow.

This discovery proves that Veun Sai conservation full with biodiversity. Lygosoma Veunsaiensis is the third new species found in that region after a species of bats and one gibbon species found some time ago.