In Abidjan, a significant quantity of dead fish were found this week on the Ebrié lagoon, more precisely in the Bay of Bietry. Since Tuesday March 5, the Ministries of Fisheries Resources and the Environment have been cleaning up the site and raising awareness among the surrounding populations.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Abidjan, Bineta Diagne
Masks on their noses, several dozen people equipped with gloves, shovels and landing nets collect the carp and eels that float in the greenish waters of the Ebrié lagoon. The site is monitored by the police Ivorian. According to experts, the fish were caught off guard by a lack of oxygen.
“ We have observed a massive mortality of fish, and on these fish there are no apparent signs of disease. “, said Dr Cyril Tokpa, head of the veterinary services directorate before adding that “the priority it is to preserve public health. We are raising awareness among fishermen and local residents not to consume fish and also not to carry out fishing activity on the entire body of water, from the Vridi canal to here “.
Rising salinity?
The dead fish are then transferred to a site for destruction. While waiting to see things more clearly, local officials are finding out about sanitation operations.
“ This strong scent has been there since Sunday. I came to make the observation and there, I saw. Now, our role is to provide information to all young people, to the entire population of Marcory so that everyone is careful because it is the young people who are the most vulnerable and then, it is the people elderly », alerts Landry Assi Kodjis, member of the Sainte-Thérèse de Marcory parish.
This phenomenon is recurring but its scale this year calls out to the authorities. Investigations are underway. Several hypotheses are being studied, including an increase in the salinity of the site or even contamination by industrial effluents.
So far, so closeEbrié Lagoon, mirror of Abidjan