The carcasses of several large fish have been washed ashore the Axim-Bewire beach in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

The dead mammals were discovered on Sunday, 4 April.

Some were, however, still alive and gasping for breath.

It is not clear what caused the death of the fish.

The Axim-Bewire incident coincides with the washing ashore of several tonnes of small fish on the Osu coastal belt in Accra, the national capital on Saturday.

The Ministry of Fisheries said it is investigating the Osu incident.

It said a team has taken samples of the dead fish for investigation.

“A team from the Fish Health Unit and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission was dispatched to the area. Upon arrival at the beach, the team noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore.”

“Seawater samples have also been collected at the beach in the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region. Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally, be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause,” a statement from the ministry noted.

The Ministry further assured that “we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish.”

Read the ministry’s full statement below: 

INVESTIGATION OF FISH MORTALITY – OSU CASTLE BEACH – GREATER ACCRA REGION 

Information got to the Fisheries Commission yesterday, April 3, 2021, in the evening, about fish mortalities sighted at the Osu Castle Beach. A team from the Fish Health Unit and the Fisheries Scientific Survey Division of the Fisheries Commission was dispatched to the area. Upon arrival at the beach, the team noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore.

Initial observation of the fishes showed no wound/lesions on their bodies.

It is to be noted that after two to three days of the death of an animal, pathological signs change.

Samples of the fish were collected on ice to be examined critically in the laboratory.

Seawater samples have also been collected at the beach in the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region. Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause.

The seawater samples collected will be analysed for physical, chemical and other biological parameters.

The colour of the sea and temperature are normal. We assure everyone that we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish.