Kenya fish farmers link mysterious fish deaths to lake contamination

KENYA – Cage fish farmers at Dunga Beach in Lake Victoria are reeling in losses after fish worth millions mysteriously died in the area.

One of the affected farmers, George Opande, reported that farmers had earlier witnessed a drastic change in the color of the lake water before the incident.

He added that fish, mainly tilapia, were found floating on the cages the following morning, with most farmers unable to rescue anything.

“We have lost all our stocks, including the fingerlings, which were about five months old; with a total of 25 cages, we had only harvested five before the disaster stroke,” he said.

He blamed the incident on pollution, saying the water was dirty, leading to algae blooming and insufficient oxygen.

“What is bringing this issue is contamination. The water is dirty, and sometimes we see the top layer coated with oil.”

“We are not experts, but we suspect that chemicals are being discharged into the lake by some of the industries around. This matter should be investigated,” he added.

Opande urged the relevant government agencies to investigate the matter and support the affected farmers to restock.

The incident comes barely five months after a similar occurrence at Ogal and Asat beaches in Kisumu West Sub-County, where farmers lost fish worth US$6.89 million (Sh. 927 million), as reported by the Aquaculture Association of Kenya Kisumu County Chairman David Okelo.

He added that the lake was contaminated, posing a great danger to both human and aquatic life.

“The lake is dirty. Effluents are being discharged into the lake posing a danger to fish and livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the lake,” he said.

A similar case has also been reported at Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa, under which an investigation is underway to determine the cause of fish deaths.

Hartbeespoort Optimum Fisheries and Research department responded to the incident and conducted a brief assessment, after which an aerator- a machine that pumps oxygen underwater- was brought, which improved the situation.

“Some fish found alive at the site were removed and relocated to an offsite dam where they recovered. No further fish deaths have occurred since,” the department said. It added that a detailed statement will be issued once the investigation has been concluded.

According to the World Bank report, the fishing sector has contributed to food and nutrition security and provides jobs, particularly for coastal populations in Africa, and such cases may jeopardize the food system and security of the continent.

Due to the growing population and per capita income, the report adds that the demand for fish is expected to increase by 30% by 2030.

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