Vung Tau farmers suffer mass fish deaths

The mass fish death on Cha Va River has caused losses of some VND10bn (USD430,000) for 30 households in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

The mass fish death on Cha Va River has caused losses of some VND10bn (USD430,000) for 30 households in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

 

Vung Tau farmers suffer losses caused by the mass fish deaths.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development sent employees to work with localities authorities to monitor the area and help the farmers on August 21. According to the department, 130,000 plaice fish, 15,000 cobia fish and 5,000 grouper fish have died.

The mass fish death was detected from August 10 to 19. Many farmers have suffered huge losses.

Department of Livestock & Animal Health immediately arrived at the scene to take water samples to find the cause of the mass fish death.

The results show that the water was cloudy, lacked oxygen and the salinity level was low while the H2S level was over permitted level. The fish also suffered from white spot disease. According to the authorities, the fluctuating water environment and Vibro spp. bacteria caused a lack of appetite among the fish. The fish hadn't eaten for days and died.

The Department of Livestock & Animal Health advised the farmers to harvest the fish quickly, place cages far from each other and clean the cages regularly. The farmers should not feed the fish excessively to avoid creating toxic gases at the bottom of the cages.