Do you remember the movie « Darwin's nightmare »? It speaks about the problems of the introduction of Nile Perches in the lake Victoria (East Africa). The movie has been successful everywhere in the world and won many awards.
But it is wrong to say it is a perfect documentary film because it isn't. But, that's not the problem I want to deal with.
I've read an article in CI (Courrier International, a French magazine) about a fishing war in the borders of lake Victoria area. And I remembered the famous movie linked to this story...
When the authorities introduced the fish in the lake in the 1950's, there was a debate between the pros and the cons. Of course, the introduction of Nile Perches should destabilize all the ecosystem but it should be a collateral effect in terms of money. The fishermen should win so much money. « Don't worry about environnement ! » they thought.
So yes, at the beginning, the Nile perches was really a source of prosperity because fishes rapidly increased a lot. It was easy to sell them and to earn one's life. But a growth like this one cannot be infinite.
And unfortunately today, there is a lack of fishes in the lake.
With the years, the ressources of the lake fall down and all the area suffers for economic crisis.
Now, the environnement is polluted and all the economic system around this trade is falling.
So yes, at the beginning, the Nile perches was really a source of prosperity because fishes rapidly increased a lot. It was easy to sell them and to earn one's life. But a growth like this one cannot be infinite.
And unfortunately today, there is a lack of fishes in the lake.
With the years, the ressources of the lake fall down and all the area suffers for economic crisis.
Now, the environnement is polluted and all the economic system around this trade is falling.
The area wins one more time another conflict...
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