More than 60 dolphins and large numbers of different species of fish have washed ashore along the coasts of Axim-Bewire in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, Osu in the Greater Accra Region and Keta in the Volta Region in the last two days.
In Axim-Bewire alone, Graphic Online’s Dotsey Kobla Aklorbortu reported that over 60 dolphins washed ashore were counted on Sunday, April 4, 2021 by the indigenes.
At Axim-Bewire, in the Western Region, all 60 dolphins have gone missing from the shore, since the processed dolphin is said to attract very high price in the market, reports Graphic Online’s Western Regional correspondent, Dotsey Kobla Aklorbortu.
Currently, Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Fisheries Commission are heading to the scene to help contain the situation and if possible retrieve them from those processing it.
Investigation of fish mortality
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Fisheries Commission on Sunday, April 4, 2021 said information got to the commission about the incident on Saturday , April 3, 2021, in the evening, in respect of the fish mortalities sighted at the Osu Castle Beach.
The statement from the commission issued by the Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Michael Arthur-Dadzie said a team from the Fish Health Unit and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission was despatched to the area.
“Upon arrival at the beach the team noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore.
“Initial observation of the fishes showed no wound /lesions on their bodies. It is to be noted that after two to three days of death of an animal pathological signs change. Samples of the fish were collected on ice to be examined critically in the laboratory.
“Sea water samples have also been collected at the beach in the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region.
“Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause. The sea water samples collected will be analysed for physical, chemical and other biological parameters.
“The colour of the sea and temperature are normal. We assure everyone that we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish,” the commission assured.
Source: Graphic