Archive | April 10, 2015
600 TONS of dead fish due to algae in fish farms in the east of Singapore
Photo: Frank Tan, Marine Life Aquaculture
Up to 600 tonnes of fish belonging to 55 farms have been lost to algal bloom in recent days, said the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority on Thursday (Mar 5).
Issuing its first comments on the algal bloom since last Saturday, the authority said last year’s plankton bloom cost 53 farms about 500 tonnes of fish.
The AVA also said it would help the affected fish farmers – who operate off Pasir Ris in the East Johor Strait – to recover and restart their operations, and enhance their resilience to environmental challenges.
AVA’s media statement and replies to queries came after Minister of State for National Development Mohamad Maliki Osman visited two affected fish farms today. One of the farmers he visited, Mr Gary Chang, told TODAY via the phone that he managed to minimise his losses to just over a tonne – or 10 to 15 per cent of his fish – by moving half of his stocks to the farm of a good friend in Malaysia. He enveloped the remaining half in canvas bags and aerated the water in the bags, said Mr Chang, who rears grouper and sea bass.
Dr Maliki said farmers who suffered severe losses may not have taken measures early enough. “Plankton bloom occurrences are very difficult to prevent, but it is possible to reduce the impact. Whilst we provide assistance to help farmers tide over this difficult period, it is also important for farmers to do their part to take mitigating measures early,” he said. The AVA is looking to build up farmers’ resilience against these incidents, such as through robust contingency plans and contingency exercises. It will also ask farmers who have taken early action to share their experience with other farmers, Dr Maliki added.
Farmers reported the bulk of deaths to have occurred in the pre-dawn hours last Saturday, and many dead wild fish also washed up on Pasir Ris beach over the weekend. TODAY reported on Wednesday that a laboratory test had identified the algae species to belong to the Gymnodinium group, but AVA said its preliminary findings point to the Karlodinium veneficum species, which has been associated with fish kills worldwide.
According to website algaebase.org, the Karlodinium veneficum has been detected in places including France, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and is known to produce karlotoxin, an agent responsible for fish kills. According to Western Australia’s Swan River Trust, there is no evidence that this species is toxic to humans.
The AVA said the dead fish had gill damage caused by plankton. No marine biotixins have been detected in fish samples from affected farms and live fish harvested from the farms are safe for consumption, it added.
DHI Water & Environment, which did the laboratory test for TODAY, said that the seawater sample tested was examined at a magnification of 400 times. At that level, species of algae belonging to the Karlodinium and Gymnodinium groups would appear very similar. To be able to positively identify the algae species, a genetic test or a microscope with 1,500 to 2,000 times’ magnification would be needed, said Dr Hans Eikaas, head of environmental technology and chemistry at DHI, a not-for-profit offering consultancy and water-modelling services.
To his knowledge, no Karlodinium algae has been found in the East Johor Strait, although they have been found in the West Johor Strait, said Dr Eikaas.
Blogger and marine enthusiast Ria Tan reported seeing dead wild and farmed fish at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Extension, which is near the West Johor Strait, on Wednesday afternoon. But West Johor Strait farmer Malcolm Ong said there have been no fish deaths on his farm so far. His staff are on alert during this “dangerous period” and have pumps and aerators on standby, said Mr Ong, chief executive of Metropolitan Fishery Group, which is a major stakeholder in Singapore’s largest marine fish farm, off Lim Chu Kang.
On how it was dealing with plankton bloom in the longer term, the AVA said it has been working with the Tropical Marine Science Institute of the National University of Singapore on plankton bloom studies since last year’s episode. The studies, for the development of effective mitigating solutions, are ongoing, it said.
The AVA also called for proposals to design and develop a closed-containment aquaculture system for coastal fish farming last year. It recently awarded the tender to five companies, which will be working on a sustainable option for fish farms to minimise exposure to changes in the environment, such as plankton bloom, said the authority.
Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com
Massive die off of prawns, ’cause unknown’ in Aroor, India
Prawn farmers in Aroor constituency have landed in trouble after prawns in their fields were found dead in large numbers this week. However, the exact reason for the death of prawns has not been determined. The prawns were found dead in fields at Pallithode, Valiyathadam, Kochuvavakad and western parts of Thuravoor. Udayabhanu, a farmer from Pattanakkad panchayat, said that he had suffered a loss of more than Rs 10 lakh. He had deposited 1.75 lakh seedlings in his 12 acre paddy field.
Satheesan, another prawn farmer said, the prawns afflicted with the unknown disease are 70 -days- old.
“We were about to conduct the harvesting of the prawns. But, we are in trouble now as majority of our prawns have started to die out in large numbers. Though news about the prawn’s mass death has come out, no authorities concerned have come forward and tried to understand our situation,’’ he said.
The chemical waste dumping from the various industrial units are believed to be the main reason for the sudden death of prawns.
According to Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Vice-Chancellor B Madhusoodana Kurup, when the industrial waste reaches the fields through canals, the level of oxygen will come down drastically resulting in the death of prawns.
In a rough estimate of loss prepared by the farmers in the Kari land in Thuravoor, Ezhupunna and other panchayats in the Cherthala taluk shows that more than Rs 50 lakh loss was incurred due to the death of prawns.
Courtesy of newindianexpress.com
15,000 turkeys dead due to avian flu in Minnesota, USA
Federal agriculture officials have issued warnings after a deadly strain of the bird flu decimated a turkey flock in Minnesota.
The United States Department of Agriculture said a “highly pathogenic” strain of the avian influenza killed 15,000 turkeys in Pope County, Minn. It’s the same type of flu that’s been infecting wild birds in the Pacific Northwest recently.
The H5N2 strain is considered deadly to foul, but low risk to humans.
“These virus strains can travel in wild birds without them appearing sick.
People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife,” the USDA said in a written statement.
Workers started noticing dead birds in the turkey flock at the end of February. The virus is passed from bird to bird through fecal matter. The Minnesota Department of Health said four workers who came in contact with the dead birds are being monitored.
The first reported case of this strain appeared in Canada and has since made its way through Oregon, Idaho and Washington, which are all considered part of the Pacific flyaway migratory path.
Minnesota produces a majority of turkeys in the U.S., with some 46 million each year.
Courtesy of bignewsnetwork.com
Hundreds of cattle are dead due to drought in southern Ecuador
Mangahúrco dwellers, Cazaderos, Bolaspamba, Heron and Lemons, Canton Zapotillo, Loja, parishes are concerned about the lack of rain, which caused, according to them a few times viewed drought.
Carmen Chamba, a resident of one of these sites, said he lost two cows.
“The loss in agriculture is high, goats almost no longer exist. No how to plant corn for the animals. Bank we have taken out to buy some corn, but we do not have how to pay, “he said.
According to farmers in these areas would be about 120 animals in Mangahúrco, Cazadteros 250 and 400 in other border areas who have died from drought.
Osman Romero, president of the parish Board Mangahúrco, seeks help from the authorities to address the situation, stating that, in the last days the weather has improved a little, have even flourished guayacanes, but who knows until when will this improvement.
Courtesy of eluniverso.com
10,000+ cattle dead due to flooding of the river Ebro in Spain
It is not yet known how long the Ebro to return to normal, low water slowly and then rise to the surface problems. Remove mud, recover the supply of drinking water and, most painfully, recover the bodies of all the dead cattle lying in the fields: over 10,000 cattle to be removed. Already have withdrawn more than 4,000 days and even take on the rest.
Courtesy of cuatro.com
Thousands of dead fish wash up on beaches in Buenos Aires, Argentina
According to what some neighbors told him Chronicle by WhatsApp this story comes from earlier this year, but the number began to increase since February 2nd.
Mariano a lifeguard in the party of the coast said: “It’s amazing the amount of dead fish appeared, someone has to figure this out or at least explain the reasons why it happened The smell is nauseating, can not be. beach “.
Among the neighbors handle some hypotheses as to why this occurred. The species was found dead on the seashore, is known as “saraca” are very weak fish which may have affected the constant change in water temperature and Descents in their oxygen levels.
It could also be of fishing vessels are thrown into the sea because they have little commercial value. The last possible factor considered is the emergence of factory ships seeking to eliminate the species with bombs in schools because they take place in networks and unloved.
Courtesy of cronica.com.ar
12 turtles stranded, 3 dead, on a beach in Abruzzo, Italy
Twelve turtles, of all ages and sizes, beached along the Abruzzo coast as a result of storm surges due to the wave of bad weather were recovered and transferred to the non-profit Center studies cetaceans of Pescara.
The specimens had all the problems: nine have survived, three died.
A turtle found in Pescara was recovered and rescued by community leaders, including the mayor and the deputy mayor Marco Alessandrini Enzo Del Vecchio, who were engaged in a visit to the beach to assess the damage caused by the storm. The specimen, of about 30 cm, injured, was immediately transported to the specialized center and is in good condition.
Turtle is taking care the president of the Center studies cetaceans non-profit organization, Vincenzo Olivieri, with its staff of experts.
Courtesy of globalist.it
9,000+ birds are dead due to another avian flu outbreak in Bauchi State, Nigeria
About 9,280 birds have died following the outbreak of Avian Influenza in Bauchi State.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement in the state, Alhaji Umar Giade, during a sensitisation visit to Toro Local Government Area of the state.
He said ten poultry farms have been affected with the disease in 3 local government areas of Katagum, Bauchi and Toro.
He said: “a total of 558 various species of birds in seven poultry farms in Toro Local Government Area have been affected, out of which, 9,280 birds were killed.”
According to Giade, Toro Council Area has the highest population of poultry farms in the state due to the conducive weather and peaceful nature of the area.
Earlier, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Toro Local Government Area, Adamu Geji, who was represented by the Head of Administration of the local government, Usman Mashema, said the council was determined to partner with the Ministry of Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement to fight the disease from the area.
He commended the state government for its effort towards enlightening poultry farmers on the dangers of the disease.
Courtesy of allafrica.com
Thousands of dead fish wash up along Derwent river in Tasmania, Australia
Thousands of dead fish have washed up on the shores of the Derwent Estuary in southern Tasmania.
It is believed the juvenile barracouta had been chasing bait fish up the river before becoming stranded in fresh water when the tide receded.
The fish have washed up near Lawitta and Millbrook Rise jetty.
Christine Coughanowr from the Derwent Estuary Program said there had been two separate events.
“We think schools of barracouta are swimming up stream on a rising tide, probably chasing bait fish,” she said.
“Then when they get to the top of the Derwent, they’re getting trapped in fresh water.”
She said once the tide recedes the seafaring fish die in the fresh water.
“So basically they’re in the wrong place in the wrong time,” she said.
“They can’t cope with the fresh water and they can’t swim downwards because of the poor water quality at the bottom of the river.”
She said the water at the bottom of the river is poor quality during the summer months.
“It’s a stratified part of the river where you have fresh water that’s lighter that floats on top denser, salt water,” she said.
“At that point in the Derwent the salt water tends to have low oxygen levels.”
Similar incidents occurred in the same area in 2011.
Courtesy of abc.net.au
Thousands of dead fish found in Cabo Frio, Brazil
(Photo: Personal Archive)
A team from the Superintendent of State Environmental Institute (INEA) in the region was inspecting the Itajuru Channel and the Passage in Cabo Frio, in the Lakes Region of Rio on the morning of Thursday (5). The move comes after the appearance of a large amount of sardines found on site.
Remember that the closed season ended earlier this month, which increases the suspicion disposal of fish due to the devaluation.
According to a statement sent by INEA, due to the prolonged drought that has caused environmental changes, such as high water temperatures and increased salinization, all possibilities are being investigated.
“During the survey it was found that the dead fish were all species of no commercial value (maromba sardines, slab and colloid), which also causes suspicion disposal. The INEA will propose a joint operation with the City Department of Environment to monitor and suppress, if caught the practice, which sets environmental crime, “the statement said.
The G1 Report also contacted the city to know what will be done about the school. Also note by the Secretariat of the Environment reported that the fish inspection responsibility dead in the water is the IBAMA and the Cabo Frio City Hall will make the fish cleaning as soon as possible.
Courtesy of g1.globo.com
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