Víctor Morocho: “El Morro already feels the damage caused by the port”

Ecuadornews:

The deepwater port, built by the DP World Dubaiti in Posorja, advances, but not the quality of life of the people of a small paradise in Guayaquil: Puerto El Morro. “Before starting the construction of the port, they promised everything, but now DP World says that we demand the works from the Government,” says Víctor Morocho to EXPRESO. He set off the alarms a couple of months ago through this newspaper, by denouncing the problems that were coming and that are now evident.

In a tour carried out together with EXPRESO, last Sunday, he made it clear that the almost 8 hectares of mangrove have not been planted, which were left to be remedied by the felling that continues in the place where the docks are raised. “The dolphins also began to flee.”

What response has the protest of the union in relation to the impact already caused by the construction of the port?

There is no approach; they have not taken us into account at all.

And the Ministry of the Environment (MAE) what answer did he give?

We have not been going to meetings for a long time because they have always been just conversations, no help has been given to the fishing sector.

Is the effect already being felt in fishing, in tourism?

Already the dolphins, which are the tourist attraction of the area, are being scared away by the noise and by the clouding of the water in the area where construction continues.

What are the most sensitive areas in Puerto El Morro?

Those closest to the port, such as Guarillo, Manglecito, which is an island of refuge for birds and large crabs. Also in that area there will be restriction for the passage of our boats.

DP World has cleared mangroves and promised to plant in another area to compensate. Have they done so already?

No no. For the month of June of 2017 I participated in a meeting in a socialization about the cutting of the mangrove and there was a director of Coastal Profile the MAE in Guayaquil and had already approved the license; there they said that they were going to replant and it remained that the area of Carmelo was going to be reforested, but to date there is nothing, only the signs.

Who would reforest, what company?

The company Calisur, but to date it does not.

How important was the area where DP World cut the mangrove and where the rocks for the docks are already laid?

There was a lot of shrimp, then the big crab from La Garrido, as we said. There is no longer that. In addition there were canaries, monkeys, pelicans, frigates, spiders, bats.

What will happen to Puerto El Morro if this situation gets out of control?

For example, in tourism you can already feel the absence of dolphins; tourism is based on dolphins; Today, boats with tourists must travel longer to find these mammals. And that brings more expenses for operators. When there is no tourism, there will be no restaurants, shops, or artisans.

In mining areas, for example, the State requires companies to give work to the people of the area and another type of support. Has that happened in Puerto El Morro?

Nothing, the people who work in the construction are not from the area and have not given benefits to the community either. Bluntly DP World has said that they are not here to help us. (I)

Source: http://www.expreso.ec/economia/puertosmaritimos-afectaciones-obras-pesca-elmorro-YX2123980