NEMA Explains Large Scale Fish Deaths At Lake Victoria Shores

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Uganda news January 11, 2021

The government has taken time to explain the circumstances under which large numbers of dead fish washed up on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Members of the public, especially those who live near the shores are concerned over the large number of deaths of fish. Many of the people suspect poisoning. However, the Ministry of Agriculture ruled that out. The Nile Perch is said to be the most recurring among the dead fish.

In another statement, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) further explained the circumstances under which the fish died. On Sunday evening, NEMA noted that their preliminary investigations indicated the fish died due to a drop in oxygen levels in the water.

They backed up their conclusion by saying it is the reason why the Nile Perch died most. The Nile Perch is a species that is very sensitive to very low levels of oxygen.

‘’As a result of recent flooding and rising water levels, large masses of weeds were submerged and sunk into the lake bed.

These weeds use up oxygen as they rot from within the lake hence the drop in the oxygen levels’’. The statement from NEMA reads.

Another reason given was the strong winds around the Lake Victoria basin which cause increased Lake Overturn.

This is a phenomenon that causes water at the bottom of the lake that has low oxygen concentrations to come up. It then mixes with the upper water where the fish live.

Authorities advice the communities living around the shores to bury the dead fish. This is in an attempt to get rid of the bad smell emerging from the rotting fish.

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