Dead fish on Tapi River possibly toxic
Locals in Surat Thani scale fish removed from aquaculture cages on the Tapi River following reports that a large number of dead fish were seen floating along a stretch of about 100 kilometres of the river. The fish were being prepared for cooking despite
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Provincial authorities have warned people living along the Tapi River not to consume floating dead fish as they might contain toxic chemicals.
Thousands of fish have been found dead in the river along a 90-100 km long stretch since Tuesday. The cause of death had not yet been identified, but Sayan Eamrod, head of the provincial fisheries office, believes it might have been caused by polluted water discharged from a palm oil factory in Krabi. Sayan found that the level of dissolved oxygen in the river was less than one mg/litre. A healthy river must contain dissolved oxygen of at least five mg/litre. Sayan said he was afraid the dead fish might be contaminated due to the polluted water and asked people who operated aqua-culture farms in the river to remove all their fish stock. So far, fish in more than 1,000 farms in Pra Saeng, Baan Na Sarn, Kien Sa and Baan Na Derm districts, have died. Somkuan Boonsanong, a village headman of Mo Ket village in Baan Na Sarn, said this was the first time he had seen thousands of dead fish in the river. The Nation SURAT THANI
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