It is worrisome to hear cases of dead fish washed ashore and littering the coastlines of fishing communities in the Niger Delta, especially as the Nigeria and the rest of the world are experiencing forced lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has raised different questions: what is happening? What is the cause? Who is responsible? And what can be done? This is a threat to marine ecosystems as whatever is responsible for the death of the fish can affect other components of the ecosystem, and the health and livelihoods of communities who depend on the affected waters for survival.
The news of dead fish washing ashore first broke out on 20th February, 2020 when community people from Ogbulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State reported massive death of fish, floating and littering their shores. This incidence have continue to replicate itself in other fishing communities along the Atlantic coastline in the Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom. The species of fish mostly affected is the Croaker fish popularly called the Broke-Marriage fish or Onah in local dialect.
The immediate cause of the dead fish washing ashore is yet to be known, but there are speculations that it may not be unrelated to the activities of multinational oil and gas production companies operating in the region. Community people, environmental activists and other stakeholders called out to the relevant regulatory agencies to launch a proper investigation into the incidence to identify the cause of massive death of fish littering the coastlines in Niger Delta.
Some of these communities have even reported death of their dogs that consume the dead fish. This is even more dangerous as these toxic chemicals can enter our food chain through marketing and consumption of these dead fishes by helpless community people. There are also fears that if not properly and timeously investigated, this trend could continue and even spread to other communities- knowing the interconnectedness of rivers (in the Niger Delta and other water ways in Nigeria). These communities need help as they are faced with hardship caused by the lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus and threats from pollution of their water – which is their major sources of livelihoods.
In an interview, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), expressed serious concerns stating that when our coastlines become littered with dead fish, this may be a clear indication of toxicity of the rivers which can raise public health concerns if consumed. He wondered why there have not been responses from NOSDRA, Ministry of Health, Environment and other relevant institutions, noting that “at least NOSDRA should have made a definite statement by now about what exactly happened especially since there are oil platforms not too far from the coasts. This matter should not be swept under the carpet because we are focusing attention on the coronavirus pandemic”
There are reports that National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have gone to take samples of the dead fish and water from the affected areas, for analysis. We demand a full and unbiased investigation into these serious issues and perpetrators brought to book to face the full weight of the law. We encourage the affected communities to remain peaceful and follow all legal means available.
While we anxiously wait for reports of investigations into the persistent washing of dead fishes onto the coastlines of these communities, we advise that the dead fishes should not be sold, bought or eaten to avoid poisoning from whatever killed the fish.
Signed:
FishNet Alliance
Health of Mother Earth Foundation
Oilwatch Africa
Recent Comments