An
investigation into the mysterious deaths of fish in Lake Victoria has attributed
the loss to suffocation due to low oxygen levels in the lake ruling out
possible poisoning.
The
investigation was launched after fishermen raised alarm over a large number of
dead fish floating over the lake. Similar death cases of Tilapia and Nile Perch
had been reported in Uganda.
Officers
from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research institute (KEMFRI) assured that
situation at the lake should not be a cause for alarm as it would soon wane, noting
that the number of fish affected on both the Kenyan side and neighbouring
countries was negligible compared to the total fish population in the lake.
Maintaining a clean ecosystem is key in ensuring the lake
continues to feed the over five million people that depend on it.
Recently, pollution of water bodies has become a global
menace as increased industrial and agricultural activities are causing the
release of toxins and radioactive matter into water bodies.
In addition, Lake Victoria is chocking under the spread of
water hyacinth, a phenomenon accelerated by pollution of the lake, particularly
by the wastewater that flows into it.
KEMFRI has called for sensitization on benefits of adhering
to the Water Quality Regulation which is under the Environment and
Co-ordination Act (EMCA), 1999. This will include education on separation of
waste through introduction of different bins properly labelled to enhance
proper waste disposal.
This is not the first time that the country is grappling with
the mysterious death of fish. Five years
ago, a similar experience which lasted a week was noted. Members of public have
been cautioned against eating the dead fish.
