Chemical solution
Re: "Halting tilapia invasion 'a priority'", (BP, July 23). After reading about the invasion of the blackchin tilapia and the problems farmers have had dealing with it, I wanted to share a story about a similar but much smaller problem that our family faced in the southern part of the US some 50 years ago.
Several ponds on our property over time developed an ecosystem imbalance; there were too many older and larger fish and an insufficient number of smaller ones and their offspring; the large ones had essentially eaten everything else.
With the assistance of the local Department of Agriculture, my father introduced a chemical called rotenone into the ponds. Rotenone effectively removes the oxygen from the water, forcing the fish to surface for oxygen.
As the fish surface, it is a simple matter to scoop them up and remove them from the ponds.
In any case, the rotenone breaks up in the presence of sunlight, so after a short period, we were able to re-stock each pond with the kind and size of fish that were designed to re-establish equilibrium to the water.
I suggest that someone in the fisheries department, or whichever agency has the authority, investigate the possible use of rotenone to help alleviate the current invasion.
As a footnote, my understanding is that the use of this chemical does not make the fish a danger to humans should they want to eat all those fish. To be tested and confirmed, of course.
Trump's new rival
Re: "Biden out, Harris in", (PostBag, July 24).
Welcome the return of that principle-minded American and Democrat, Eric Bahrt. An early indication should not have disappointed Eric to have to vote for the Green Party candidate.
Kamala Harris is no Biden on the Hamas/Israeli issue, and it is reported that she will not sit in Congress to listen to Netanyahu's speech to Congress.
Having listened to her first rally speech this morning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one has to exclaim "Wow" that Donald Trump will have his equal match. She is no Hilary Clinton that Trump could bully on stage. As an outside observer, she is a welcome scene to Trump as a "street fighter".
In the next 150 days, we will learn how democracy works in the extreme.
Bangladeshi voices
Re: "Bangladesh arrest total passes 2,500", (World, July 24).
We urgently request your assistance in bringing attention to the following issue:
Bangladeshi expats took a stand in front of the Bangladeshi embassy and in Sukhumvit Soi 11 in Bangkok from 3pm to 5pm last Friday to stand in solidarity with their fellow brothers and sisters back home who have been met with brutality from the government.
We have the following demands, including:
Withdrawal of the curfew and cessation of violence against students.
Restoration of communication services to ensure the safety of our families and access to information.
Investigations into all incidents of violence and human rights abuses, ensuring justice for affected students.
This situation affects not only Bangladeshi expatriates in Thailand but also Thai nationals and their families currently in Bangladesh, who are unable to contact their loved ones.
We deeply appreciate your attention to this urgent humanitarian issue.