The cause of death in the Sarawak River is still under investigation - Dr Safiee

KUCHING, 14 September: The cause of death for hundreds of fish that have emerged around the Sarawak River Bank, especially in the waters of Kampung Boyan and Kampung Gersik has not yet been identified.

The Chairman of the Sarawak Rivers Board (LSS), Dr Safiee Ahmad said that further investigation is underway with Sarawak Department of Agriculture (Department of Land Fisheries) and Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).

According to him, preliminary inspections were carried out at several affected locations including Kampung Boyan, Kampung Gersik, Bintawa Industrial Estate up to the dam area or barrage using LSS Enforcement boats.

"Based on the preliminary inspection, Sarawak Department of Agriculture (Department of Land Fisheries) and NREB have carried out an examination of several water quality parameters, in particular dissolved oxygen (O2) and ammonia (NH3), to obtain early indications of possible changes in water quality.

"However, the exact cause of fish death has not yet been identified and results of laboratory analysis are still pending", he said in a TVS interview today.

He further explained that samples of dead fish as well as water samples were taken by the Sarawak Department of Agriculture (Department of Land Fisheries) and NREB on 12 and 14 September.

"The samples were taken at four locations namely Kampung Boyan, Kampung Gersik, Bintawa Industrial Estate and the dam area, before being sent to the laboratory for further analysis.

"The field investigation involved five members of the LSS Enforcement, three members of the Sarawak Department of Agriculture (Department of Land Fisheries) and three members of NREB Enforcement", he said.

Safiee said the results of laboratory analysis regarding water quality and cause of death of fish will be an important reference to determine follow-up actions, any further findings will be announced after the results of laboratory analysis are received. - TVS