ERA probe mass death of bigeye scads in Velidhoo

The Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA), on Sunday, announced that it is working with the N. Velidhoo Island Council to investigate the mass death of bigeye scads (Mushimas) in the island’s lagoon.

Videos shared on social media by local residents yesterday showed large numbers of dead bigeye scad floating on the surface of Velidhoo lagoon.

Responding to inquiries from Sun, the EPA said the incident had not been formally reported to the authority. However, after receiving information about the incident, the agency initiated an investigation and is now working with the island council to establish the cause.

Providing preliminary details, Velidhoo Council Vice President Hafiza Ibrahim told Sun that the fish deaths occurred on Saturday afternoon. Initial suspicions pointed to a vessel discharging hot water used in sea cucumber processing into the lagoon while docked for refuelling.

However, Hafiza later clarified that police had informed the council that the vessel involved was not a sea cucumber processing boat. As a result, the exact cause of the mass fish deaths remains unknown. She noted that preliminary observations suggest the fish may have died due to oxygen depletion resulting from exceptionally low tides.

The Vice President said that, as Velidhoo has only a small number of vessels engaged in skipjack tuna fishing, a significant portion of the island’s population depends on bigeye scad for food. She described the loss of such an important food source as distressing for the community.