The Department of Fisheries and Marine Sciences of UG has attributed the recent fish kills to a sudden drop in the sea surface temperature. The department made this observation from satellite imageries over the coast from Ivory Coast to Togo.

Contributing to the ongoing discourse on the washed-ashore fishes, scientists of the institution voluntarily carried out preliminary scientific investigation.

According to their assessment, water quality analyses showed that most parameters required for life in the ocean are within acceptable limits. However, chemical oxygen demand was significantly higher than expected. The department explained that this condition would most likely result in stress for living organisms that depend on dissolved oxygen in the water body.

“This is most likely an indication of upwelled water from the bottom of the ocean, probably carrying low oxygen concentration.”

Meanwhile, the department admitted not to have any data on what triggered the incidents. Thus, they called for an ocean monitoring programme as a matter of urgency.

On the incidence of harmful algal bloom, the report noted no observation of phytoplankton abundance at higher level caused a bloom. Originally, the report added that species of phytoplankton that potentially cause blooms have always been in sea. The report explained that phytoplankton results in a harmful bloom only when it is at a higher level than normal.

Furthermore, they reiterated the call for the nation to acquire a research vessel. They indicated that such vessel would help with carrying out regular monitoring of our costal waters.

“It is implicit that we protect this asset through regular monitoring so as to avert any future calamity. The impact of global climate change and its vulnerability is real…”

They assured the public they will do their best with the limited resources to continue with the investigations.

Background of UG Report

During the Easter weekend, news broke out on various platforms of several dead fishes and dolphins at some beaches along Ghana’s coast. The dead fish species included demersal and pelagic of both large and small size. Marine mammals described as melon-headed whale also died along the coast at Axim-Bewire.

Following the incident, the Fisheries Ministry issued a warning to the public to desist from consuming such products. To prevent the washed-ashore fish from entering into the food chain, FDA also dispatched inspection teams to fish markets. The Ghana Police Service were alerted to arrest any persons found distributing fish washed ashore. However, some fishmongers have been seen processing the dead fishes in Axim.

Subsequently, the Fisheries Minister, Hawa Koomson asked consumers of the washed-ashore fishes to avail themselves for monitoring. Friends of the Nation urged Ghana Health Service to track any possible health effect from the consumption of the fishes.

On the cause of incident, Dr Peter Zedah, Fish Health Unit’s Head earlier on indicated stress as a factor.