Linked to low water levels and pollution

Mass fish die-off in Maysan’s Al-Ezz river

2024-07-28 | 16:02

AL-KHAYR, MAYSAN — For the second time, a mass fish die-off has been reported in the Al-Ezz River within Project 4, which feeds the Al-Sahyin Marsh west of Maysan. Investigations have ruled out deliberate poisoning or pesticide use, attributing the cause to low water releases that have dried up the marshes. This forced the fish to move to the river, where high salt and acid concentrations and low oxygen levels led to the death of thousands of fish, creating an environmental pollution hazard. This situation has alarmed local fishermen who depend on the river for their livelihood.

Khudr Abbas from the Marshes Rehabilitation Department at the Environmental Directorate told 964media, “The fish migrate from the marshes to the river after the marshes dry up, but the rivers themselves suffer from low water levels. With the recent release of fish into the waters, the mass die-off has become a significant factor in regional pollution.”

Fisherman Daer Hameed shared, “The fish began dying in large numbers two days ago. We cleaned the river to prevent further deaths. Many of the young fish, released by the Agriculture Department, also died due to low river levels and the drying of the Al-Sahyin Marsh.”

Karrar Salem, another fisherman, added, “Our source of income has been cut off due to the fish deaths. If the water levels continue to drop, all the fish will die, and we will have to migrate to the city to find work. The government has stopped supplying water to the western marshes, and now the tributary rivers are almost dry.”

Environmental activist Ahmed Saleh documented the die-off and noted, “This issue reoccurred last year due to the deterioration of the water pipeline from the Al-Ezz River to the intersection point at Canal 4, locally known as ‘Amshan Canal.’ Samples taken by Dr. Basim Araibi, Director of the Veterinary Hospital in Maysan, confirmed that the water and fish tissues were free of pesticides and toxins. The cause was low oxygen levels and high acidity (pH).”

Saleh emphasized, “The only viable solution is to increase the water releases from the Al-Ezz River into the canal to replace the polluted water with clean, oxygen-rich water.”

The continuing water crisis and its impact on the local fishing community highlight the urgent need for governmental intervention to restore water flow to the marshes and rivers in Maysan.