Marine scientists find causes of mass fish deaths in Zanzibar

THE Zanzibar Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries has said investigation was underway to find out the cause of deaths of fishes (known as swimming crabs).

It was reported that such fishes died-off or washed ashore at different beaches in Unguja Islands.

Exact cause of the deaths of hundreds of fishes occurred on 28 and 30 of last September, as well as on October 2, this year, is still unknown.

However, preliminary reports suggested that impact of climate change which led to abrupt alteration in temperature and ocean waves might be the cause.

“Some living things like the swimming crab cannot resist the sudden changes in the sea, and therefore they die and washed ashore,” says the joint statement by the Isles fisheries Ministry; tourism Ministry, and the environment authority- under the First Vice President’s office.

The government urged locals, fishers, and tourists not to get worried about any pollution, and that the incident is being investigated to establish the cause of the mass deaths.

Mr Sheha Mjaja Juma, Director General, Zanzibar Environment Management Authority (ZEMA) said the deaths of swimming crabs with some still battling their life, were spotted at Mtoni beach and around tourist Hotel Verde; and Mizingani- Forodhan public beach, Stone Town.

“Similar incident of mass death of swimming crabs was also reported in western Indian ocean countries such as Seychelles,” he said adding that the crabs are also specified as Trapezia cymodocea under the name of ‘Red Coral Crab; which live in corals, eight metres in the sea.