Mozambique: Ministry investigates dead fish in Maputo Bay

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Mozambique: Ministry investigates dead fish in Maputo Bay

6:43 CAT | 10 Feb 2023

Photo courtesy: Ministério do Mar, Águas Interiores e Pescas/ Facebook

Explanations for the appearance of dead fish in Maputo Bay since last weekend include low oxygen levels and high levels of suspended sediments associated with dredging in the navigation channel and excavations for laying an optical fiber cable, according to a press release from the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries

The same institution also posits that elevated discharge of fresh water by rivers that flow into the bay may have potentially reduced salinity levels.

In the statement released this Thursday, the ministry explains that, upon becoming aware of the phenomenon, it initiated investigations through the Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique (InOM), involving other institutions, the ministry itself, as well as members of academia, civil society and fishermen, organized by the Community Fisheries Councils (CCP).

The communiqué states that investigations are still ongoing and appeals to the public, in particular fishermen, to cooperate by providing information that may contribute to the investigation into the causes of the incident. It also calls on people not to consume the dead fish from the beach or sea.

The phenomenon observed in Maputo Bay, though usually of lesser proportions, are in most cases associated with discharges of fresh water from rivers.

The full press release from the Ministry follows.

“Maputo Bay has been registering, since the past weekend, the appearance of several species of dead fish dragged from the sea, a worrying phenomenon which, by its nature, has been giving rise to disparate interpretations.

“Upon becoming aware of this occurrence, the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, through the Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique (InOM), immediately began investigating the causes that might be behind this event, involving other institutions of the ministry itself, as well as academia, civil society and fishermen, organized by the Community Fisheries Councils (CCP).

“Preliminarily, the most considered hypotheses for the occurrence t are the low level of DO (Dissolved Oxygen) and high levels of suspended sediments, which may be associated with dredging activities in the navigation channel and with excavations for the placement of optic fibre. Likewise, possible discharges of fresh water from the rivers that flow into the bay are suspected, which could have potentially reduced salinity levels.

I”t should be noted that phenomena of this kind have occurred in Maputo Bay, although in smaller proportions, having been, in most cases, associated with discharges of fresh water from the rivers that flow into the bay.

“And because investigations are still ongoing, we appeal to the entire population, in particular fishermen, to be vigilant and collaborate with the technicians who are working on the ground, providing information that can contribute to the investigation of the causes of the incident. We also appeal for the non-consumption of dead fish both washed ashore to the beach and in the sea.

“The Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries is grateful for the support it has received from all stakeholders in the matter.”

Maputo, February 9, 2023

Source: Carta de Moçambique / Ministério do Mar, Águas Interiores e Pescas