Dead fish drift to Vinh Yen Wharf in Van Ninh District. Initial report says deaths may have been caused by red tide.

Mass fish deaths off the coast of Van Ninh District in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa since Thursday are likely due to red tide, said a local official.

Secretary of Van Ninh District’s Party Committee, Vo Hoang Hai, told the vov.vn that the fish deaths might be a result of a phenomenon known as an algae blooming in which algae grow out of control while producing toxic effects.

About ten tonnes of dead fish had been found, Hai said, adding: “The dead fish mainly lived and fed in the demersal zone - grouper, pomfret, red snapper, and whitings.”

A certain amount of baby lobster, cobia, and Babylonia areolata (a species of sea snail) raised in cages by local residents were also found dead.

Local authorities have taken samples of the fish and water in the area for testing.

“Dead fish have been collected to prevent environmental pollution while local people are urged not to use them until the cause of the deaths is known,” said Hai. 

VNS