The dead fish were concentrated along the stretch of river running through Cua Dai Ward and Cam Thanh Commune.
Le Cong Truc, 63, a resident of Phuoc Trach in Cua Dai Ward, said residents had informed authorities of the problem, but the large number of fish had delayed cleanup efforts.
The dead fish on Con Co River (Photo by Ngo Linh)
“The southern wind brings a foul smell. In the midday heat, it’s enough to cause headaches. We used to leave our back doors open for fresh air, but now everything has to stay shut,” Truc said.
The owner of a seafood restaurant in Cua Dai said he had set up a net about two metres from the restaurant to prevent dead fish from washing ashore. However, the stench still lingers, drawing frequent complaints from customers.
Truong Van Chin, 42, who runs boat tours on Co Co River, said tourists often ask about the dead fish. “We tell them it’s likely due to changing weather. The boat has to stay mid-river to avoid the strong smell near the banks,” he added.
The fish farming pollutes Con Co River (Photo by Ngo Linh)
Le Cong Sy, Chairman of the Cua Dai Ward People’s Committee, said the die-off began several days ago due to changing weather conditions. He acknowledged that widespread, unregulated fish farming along the river has also affected local tourism.
“Fishermen cleared dead fish from the cages, but many still drifted out,” Sy said. “Cleanup efforts are ongoing, but more action is needed.”