Western Region: Fishermen express concern over mysterious fish disease

Fishing activities in Kamgbunli, an Islamic community in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, have been severely disrupted due to a mysterious disease affecting fish caught in local rivers.

This alarming situation has led to widespread fear among fishermen, who are calling for an urgent investigation into the cause of the outbreak and a prompt solution to restore their livelihoods.

Over the past month, fishermen have observed a disturbing pattern in their recent catches. Fish have been exhibiting severe skin infections, including red, swollen lesions that quickly turn into gaping wounds. Additionally, the fish are suffering from rotten abdomens, and patches of scales are falling off. These conditions have rendered the fish unsellable and unfit for consumption, creating significant economic challenges for the fishing community.

The fishermen believe that illegal mining activities, commonly known as Galamsey, are the root cause of the problem. They point to the pollution of local rivers, including Fia, Ebi, and Amanzule, as a primary factor in the decline of aquatic life. The resulting muddy slurry has severely impacted the habitat and health of indigenous fish species, such as the “Bile” catfish.

“We hadn’t reported it yet, thinking it was a normal occurrence, as I mentioned earlier. However, after the alarming events of Friday, January 10, and Saturday, January 11, we became concerned and plan to report it on Monday, January 13, for further investigation,” said former assembly member Shaibu Issaka, who expressed growing concern about the issue.

Issaka added, “At first, we thought it was normal, but the continuous occurrence is creating a high level of panic among our community members.”

With local fishing activities grinding to a halt, the Kamgbunli community is anxiously awaiting an investigation to determine the cause of the disease and seek solutions. The fishermen are urging all stakeholders to work together to address the environmental crisis, which is threatening both their livelihood and the health of the region’s aquatic ecosystem.