According to the report by provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the mass fish deaths occurred as the algae bloomed, sending oxygen levels down.

“The fish died from lack of oxygen," the report said. "The water had turned red and had a bad odour for several days before the fish deaths occurred."

A large number of dead fish were seen floating along the coast in Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province on November 24 and 25.

Head of the provincial Department of Seafood, Nguyen Trong Chanh, said that most of the dead fish were from the seabed and the total dead fish collected was over 10 tonnes.

"We've informed fish farmers to move their cages to other areas so there were no big losses to the farms," Chanh commented.

Dtinews