DAMMAM: The death of a large number of fish at more than one location along Eastern Province beaches is due to changes in weather and rising temperatures, as well as a lack of oxygen at those sites, according a local paper.
There is no relationship between the deaths and pollution of these sites, as mortality was due to natural causes.
Sources reveal conditions may not be suitable for certain fish because of the speed of the tides, decline of water, and lack of oxygen, noting that the quantity of dead fish is not large and only affected one type of fish.
Veterinary medicine specialist Dr. Omar Ibrahim confirmed that the phenomenon of mass mortality among fish is an ancient phenomenon and has several effects to public health and the environment, as well as the economic sector and tourism due to the accumulation of dead fish on the beaches. Such deaths also emit unpleasant odors, which may also reach desalination, water purification, and power plants.
He pointed to a phenomenon known as “collective suicide” among fish, which involves fish throwing themselves on the beach away from water, causing them to be exposed to drought and die. He said most fish scientists attribute this collective suicide by some fish species to extreme vulnerability to poison and toxins, which may be a cause of chemical, biological or environmental factors such as high temperatures.
Disease may also play a factor in this strange phenomenon, he explained, as when fish get sick they lose focus, especially if hit with nervous system diseases.
There is no relationship between the deaths and pollution of these sites, as mortality was due to natural causes.
Sources reveal conditions may not be suitable for certain fish because of the speed of the tides, decline of water, and lack of oxygen, noting that the quantity of dead fish is not large and only affected one type of fish.
Veterinary medicine specialist Dr. Omar Ibrahim confirmed that the phenomenon of mass mortality among fish is an ancient phenomenon and has several effects to public health and the environment, as well as the economic sector and tourism due to the accumulation of dead fish on the beaches. Such deaths also emit unpleasant odors, which may also reach desalination, water purification, and power plants.
He pointed to a phenomenon known as “collective suicide” among fish, which involves fish throwing themselves on the beach away from water, causing them to be exposed to drought and die. He said most fish scientists attribute this collective suicide by some fish species to extreme vulnerability to poison and toxins, which may be a cause of chemical, biological or environmental factors such as high temperatures.
Disease may also play a factor in this strange phenomenon, he explained, as when fish get sick they lose focus, especially if hit with nervous system diseases.
