Mass fish deaths due to drought

According to Mr. Pham Quoc Dat, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tua Chua district, Dien Bien province, from the beginning of May 2023 until now, in the fish cage farming area on the Son La Hydropower Reservoir, of a household in Huoi So commune, Tua Chua district, Dien Bien province, the phenomenon of fish raised in cages dying sporadically, an average of 10 - 15 fish/day, with unknown causes. The prolonged situation has made people uneasy, worried that the epidemic could cause mass fish deaths, so they have reported the situation to the local authorities and the district's professional agencies to conduct inspections, determine the cause and find solutions.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tua Chua district invited experts from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Aquatic Products, under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dien Bien province, to conduct a field inspection. Through the inspection, based on the results of the water environment index and the actual situation of cage fish farming at the scene, the expert unit concluded that the cause of fish deaths was not due to disease but due to changes in weather and prolonged drought causing fluctuations in water environment factors.

Specifically, the hot and dry weather that has lasted from the beginning of April until now has caused the water in the lake to dry up, the water to become turbid and the water environment to change suddenly, causing local oxygen deficiency. The dissolved oxygen content in the water = 3mg/l, the amount of NH3, NH4

The water level of the Da River in Huoi So commune, Tua Chua district, Dien Bien province is at its lowest level ever.

Currently, in the Son La hydroelectric reservoir area in Huoi So commune, there are 72 fish cages owned by 6 local households. To minimize damage to cage fish farmers during the transitional season, the authorities have recommended that households take proactive measures to cope with the prolonged heat and drought, ensuring a living environment for cage fish; at the same time, it is necessary to clean the fish cages, remove moss, and waste stuck around the cage nets, and clear the water circulation inside and outside the cages to avoid local oxygen deficiency for fish in the cages.

Source: https://dttg.baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/dien-bien-ca-nuoi-long-be-chet-hang-loat-do-han-han-359331.html