Report of mass fish mortality along the Eritrean coast and islands

Abstract

Fish mass mortality is not common events in the Eritrean Red sea waters before this time. Field observation, interview and group discussion with fishermen were conducted to confirm the information regarding fish mortality along the coast and islands. The field observation conducted along the coasts of Halibay, Emberemi, Millennium Beach Hotel and Gurgusum Beach confirmed the fish death. In the same time the interview and group discussion with fishermen assured fish mortality along different sites of coast and islands from the end of August up to the first week of September. According to the response of fishermen interview and discussion, fish were observed having wide opened and flared gills with frequent and increased opercular movements. It was concluded that the probability of fish death could be combination of algal blooms, oxygen depletion and increasing temperature. This research has tried to identify the cause of fish death and suggest continuous research and monitoring the algal blooms.