Riversdale Creek is Critical to the Fishing Industry in the South

Fox says that cutting off the creek may cripple the livelihoods of Riversdale fishermen. He reports that two creeks are being affected, but one of those creeks serves as spawning site for number of species. He told us today that the developer’s actions extend beyond Riversdale and will have consequences for other communities along the coast. Fox fears that the construction of the road comes at the sacrifice of the fishing industry.

On the Phone: Alberto Fox, Fisherman, Riversdale

“The Black Creek is one of the most important creeks for the fishermen in Riversdale. Black Creek is a spawning site for many species of fish. Actually, if you have a gillnet and you set the gillnet on Black Creek it is bad enough, but imagine a road covering Black Creek itself. So, all the fish weh live dah Black Creek, I mean to say that they wah dead out pretty soon or later.  From north of Riversdale we have so many creeks. Dah lone swampy areas. All these creeks play a big role for the fishing industry; especially the Tarpon; Snook; Bony Fish; Permit. All these types of fish live alongside north of Riverside which have a lot of creeks. It seems just because you have a lot of money, you don’t give a heck.   The government needs to step on this really quick. Mr. Figueroa should come and see this himself. Take a look at this low area and see if this continues like this, no fish wah left along the coast. All the fish deh wah dead out. This dah wah big area where we the fishermen depend. But not only the fishermen, but all these tour guides. I mean to say, it is a shame to see what they actually the do to our country. They don’t care. They nuh love this country. They only wah mek the dollars and roll outta this country.”