Ministry probes fish deaths in Kadavu, Coral Coast

The Ministry of Fisheries is investigating reports of dead fish found along parts of Kadavu and the Coral Coast after communities raised concerns earlier this month.

The Ministry said it received reports, supported by photographic evidence, of dead reef fish in coastal and nearshore areas across several villages along the Nasegai coastline, extending to the Nabukelevu-i-Ra district in Kadavu.

The incidents were reported during the first week of February, when villagers along the affected coastline noticed dead fish washed up on shore.

The Ministry said further investigations and physical assessments are under way to determine the cause of the fish kills.

Reef Explorer Fiji director Dr Victor Bonito, who is based in Votua, Tikina Korolevu-i-Wai in Nadroga-Navosa, said mass fish kills were also observed in community-based marine protected areas along the Coral Coast.

Dr Bonito, who is actively involved in coral genetic research and reef monitoring in Tikina Korolevu-i-Wai, also confirmed that severe coral bleaching is occurring on shallow reefs along the Coral Coast.

The Ministry of Fisheries has urged coastal communities to report any further sightings of dead fish.

For health and food safety reasons, the Ministry has strongly advised the public not to consume dead fish and warned that such fish should not be sold or fed to animals.