Recently, many fish cages and rafts on the Ma River (in Ba Thuoc district) have experienced mass fish deaths of unknown causes. The total number of affected fish cages is 168, with an estimated loss of more than 11.35 tons of 122 households in the communes of Thiet Ke, Thiet Ong, Ban Cong, Ai Thuong, Ha Trung, Luong Trung, Luong Ngoai and Canh Nang town.
Cage fish farming area on Ma River of people in Ba Thuoc district.
According to information from the People's Committee of Ba Thuoc district, from March 20, 2024 to present, there have been cases of fish in cages and rafts on the Ma River dying for unknown reasons, divided into 3 waves. Wave 1 from March 20, 2024 to March 22, 2024, fish deaths occurred in the reservoir area of Canh Nang town, causing about 71 kg of damage. Wave 2 from April 6, 2024, occurred in low-flowing water bodies in Ai Thuong and Dien Lu communes, causing about 400 kg of damage. And wave 3 from April 27, 2024 to present, is the largest fish death wave occurring in 7 communes in the reservoir area of Ba Thuoc 1 Hydropower Plant and Ba Thuoc 2 Hydropower Plant with a total damage of over 10.9 tons.
The total mass of dead fish is about more than 11.35 tons.
According to statistics, as of May 3, Canh Nang town was the most severely damaged locality, with 61 fish cages of 43 households affected. The total dead fish volume was more than 5.9 tons of silver carp, grass carp and other catfish.
In addition to grass carp, silver carp, and catfish, wild fish also have mass deaths.
It is known that as soon as the fish deaths occurred, the People's Committees of communes and towns reported to the People's Committee of Ba Thuoc district to coordinate in finding the cause. Accordingly, the district directed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with departments, offices, and specialized units of the province to collect water samples for testing. At the same time, an inspection team was established to coordinate with the People's Committees of communes and towns to inspect and determine the cause at the scene. However, the fish deaths continued to occur and increased in volume. In particular, from April 27 until now, in addition to cage-raised fish, there has been a phenomenon of wild fish rising to the surface of the water, drifting ashore, and dying.
Therefore, the People's Committee of Ba Thuoc district has reported and proposed to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct a field inspection, take 3 fish samples for disease testing and 6 water samples for testing some environmental indicators of aquaculture water. Quickly find the cause, limit economic losses for the people.
Professional agencies conducted an inspection of the scene to determine the cause of the fish deaths.
Based on the inspection results and the actual situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the People's Committee of Ba Thuoc district to guide and support people in moving cages to areas with flowing water, other clean water areas on the river or moving fish from cages to ponds for isolation; increase oxygen by measures such as water stirring, pumping water or aeration to create oxygen.
Along with that, it is recommended that people do not release new fish until there are specific instructions; organize the collection of dead fish and destroy them according to regulations, treat the environment at the destruction site with chemicals, ensure disease safety, and environmental hygiene. Strengthen propaganda and mobilize people not to eat, trade, or sell dead fish. People living along the river should temporarily not use water from the river for daily life, aquaculture, and drinking for livestock and poultry. Implement measures to limit damage to downstream areas such as moving cages, harvesting fish of all sizes, and transferring fish to ponds if possible.
It is known that currently, the People's Committee of Ba Thuoc district is directing specialized departments and localities to conduct damage statistics to support people raising fish in cages in affected localities.
Le Hoa
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