The information was confirmed by the Board of Agriculture and Rural Development of Da Bac District. The fish deaths happened to six local communes, including Nanh Nghe, Dong Ruong, Mieng Chieng, Dong Chum on June 2-6.
The fish cages on Da River
According to the board, the water level on the river remains low due to limited rainfall. In addition the hot weather with a temperature of roughly 40 degrees centigrade has caused the lack of oxygen, resulting in mass fish deaths.
The fish found dead on Da River
Most of the fish are hemibagrus, tilapia and grass carp.
Local authorities have set up a task force to check the current fish-raising areas on Da River. Fish cages in shallow and muddy areas have been urged to move transparent ones. Households need to install pipes to bring clean water to increase the oxygen content of their fish cages.
The dead fish have been removed, while local authorities are seeking retail outlets for the fish.
Da Bac District has been forecasted to see rains in some days to come but the rainfall would still be limited. This would be not enough to ensure safety for fish. So the locality is likely to face more fish deaths.
Luong Van Thi, chairman of Da Bac District, said that Da River’s water level is often low in the dry season. But, this year it was even lower than normal at this time of the year, therefore, the local authorities and people needed to respond to the change.
Thi expected that households affected by the fish deaths would be offered with assistance such as debt payment extension and preferential loans.