Now Seafood, what next?

KOMPAS/TOTOK WIJAYANTO

Fishermen in Muara Angke, Pluit, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, prepare to carry catches of green mussels to peel on Saturday (02/23/2019). At present the price of peeled green mussels from Jakarta Bay at the fisherman level is Rp 25,000 per kilogram.

Those who love to eat fish and other seafood say that if you want to enjoy fresh grilled fish, go to eastern Indonesia, not Jakarta. The reason is simple: The fish in Ambon or in Labuan Bajo have only “died once”. This means that the fish came directly from the sea. Conversely, the fish that arrive at restaurants in Jakarta have gone through many hands, from fishermen to traders and then to the fish market, before they are bought by restaurant owners.

Now, the anecdote is becoming true with news that makes us more uncomfortable about eating seafood in Jakarta. Fish and other marine biota harvested in Jakarta Bay are contaminated with heavy metals. If we continue to eat them, we may become exposed to serious illnesses.