We are working to ascertain cause of dead fishes at Osu beach – Fisheries Ministry

The Fisheries Ministry has assured that it is doing everything possible to understand the cause of the deaths of tons of fish which washed ashore at the Osu Castle beach in Accra.

According to the Ministry, a team dispatched to the site has picked up the necessary samples to help with investigations.

“A team from the Fish Health Unit and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission was dispatched to the area. Upon arrival at the beach, the team noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore.”

“Seawater samples have also been collected at the beach in the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region. Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause,” A statement from the Ministry noted.

The Ministry further assured that “we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish.”

Background

Tons of fish were found along the shores of the Osu Castle beach on Friday. This attracted many residents, some of whom picked them up either for consumption or for sale.

The Environmental Protection Agency , EPA, is currently investigating the issue.

Although the agency suspects the dead fish are not good for consumption, it stated that cannot confirm until tests are conducted.

Executive Director of the Agency, Henry Kokofu, told Citi News that his outfit is picking up additional information from some opinion leaders to help with its investigation.

“We've contacted an opinion leader who has been giving us more information. Trust me, If there is any situation like that we will take steps to track all of them as quickly as possible. But if there is anyone listening who has any information on how this issue came about, that person should contact us. We are using opinion leaders to gather pieces of information,” he added.

Below is the full statement from the Fisheries Ministry:

INVESTIGATION OF FISH MORTALITY – OSU CASTLE BEACH – GREATER ACCRA REGION

Information got to Fisheries Commission yesterday, April 3, 2021, in the evening, about fish mortalities sighted at the Osu Castle Beach. A team from the Fish Health Unit and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission was dispatched to the area. Upon arrival at the beach, the team noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore.

Initial observation of the fishes showed no wound /lesions on their bodies. It is to be noted that after two to three days of death of an animal pathological signs change. Samples of the fish were collected on ice to be examined critically in the laboratory.

Seawater samples have also been collected at the beach in the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region. Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause.

The seawater samples collected will be analysed for physical, chemical and other biological parameters.

The colour of the sea and temperature are normal. We assure everyone that we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish.

—citinewsroom