The Nzema East Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has cautioned the public against consuming some dolphins that were recently washed ashore.

In a statement signed by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Daniel Bentum Essel, on 7 April 2021, the Assembly indicated that “residents who were around as of the time they [dolphins] appeared, started to attack, kill and send some home for domestic and commercial purposes”.

The Assembly has dispatched a team, comprising the Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Municipal Police Commander, Municipal BNI Officer and representatives of the Fisheries Commission to the area to ascertain the veracity of the issue.

According to the statement, an eyewitness revealed to the team that the marine mammals were washed ashore alive and were about 200.

“The team, upon hearing such bizarre occurrences, put in stringent measures and retrieved 68 dolphins from the shore and residents.

“Out of these, 30 were alive and 38 were dead,” the eyewitness stated.

According the statement, the team released the live dolphins back into the sea and buried the dead ones at the Assembly’s dumpsite.

“The Assembly, with the help of the BNI, police, the environmental health officer and chief fishermen, is currently assisting with investigations to retrieve the remaining fish sent home by some individuals for domestic and commercial purposes,” the statement added.