The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has ordered a post-mortem of the dead fish found at Mutayalammapalem beach in Paravada mandal, Visakhapatnam district. Samples have been sent to the Kakinada Fisheries Laboratory for analysis. The fisheries department took fish samples from various points on the beach for this purpose.
Experts say that the dissolved oxygen level needed for aquatic life is around four percent. However, recent assessments in eight to nine areas around Mutayalammapalem beach show oxygen levels are only 0.2 to 0.3 percent. This lack of oxygen is believed to have caused the mass fish deaths.
APPCB chief engineer P.V. Mukunda Rao stated that tests will be conducted to find out why oxygen levels have dropped. There are aquaculture units nearby involved in shrimp farming, a pharmacy unit, and the Simhadri NTPC project in the area. “We need to determine if the pharmacy industry, Simhadri NTPC, or the shrimp cultivators are responsible,” said Rao. He also mentioned that climate change’s impact on the local ecology will be examined. Solving this issue will require joint efforts from all involved parties.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
