Hundreds of dead fish is ‘environmental tragedy’, which ‘local fishermen have never seen before in Malambo, Colombia

Hundreds of fish lay prostrate in the mire Bay, body of water located in the Mesolandia, Malambo, Atlantic district, where more than 120 fishermen are worried because of this environmental tragedy, which affects their main economic activity.

The incident occurred early hours of Saturday morning when the fishing day started.

“We went fishing as we normally do when we begin to see the amount of dead fish floating in the water, they were everywhere,” said Jorge Luis Barrios, local resident who claimed never to have witnessed something.

Officials of the Independent Fishermen’s Association, an organization operating in the area, say the problem stems from lack of oxygenation of the water, which has no movement due to the closing of the placed gates on the island of Civic Involvement, path of municipality of Soledad.

“The Swamp need a pipe that filters the water passage, because otherwise things will get worse and this is a tragedy that November 15 is the last caution the governor (Joseph Segebre) in Fishers Summit,” said Julio Cesar Martinez Asipes member who holds to be waiting for a promised Segebre solution that does not seem to arrive.

Panorama cloudy

Water Bay has not its usual color is greenish substances released by decaying bodies, moreover, the stench is getting stronger and the number of species that come to the surface increases.

“Causes mourn. Dying rays, catfish, croaker, sea bass and other smaller fish, “said Cueto Santander, averaging 20 to 30 fish a day kilos, what represents about 200 thousand pesos per round.

Although you can not calculate the amount of dead fish in Asipes estimated losses close to 20 million pesos, plus the environmental impact is increasing.

As an urgent measure, the inhabitants of Mesolandia request an inspection by the authorities, as each day passes, represents an agony for achieving food.

In that locality about 3,500 people where 90 percent live of fishing live.