Prachinburi:Residents and fish farmers have taken to the streets, storming the provincial hall to demand an investigation into the sudden mass deaths of fish in local fish farms. This protest follows the unexplained overnight death of fish, prompting calls for urgent action.
According to Thai News Agency, the protestors, who raise fish in cages in the Prachinburi River, carried signs urging authorities to "Stop Discharging Chemicals into the River" and displayed surviving fish as evidence. They observed unusual conditions in the water, such as a slimy texture and iridescent oily slicks, and demand an investigation to identify the cause of the fish deaths.
Fish farmers reported extensive damage from the incident, as nearly all of their fish perished overnight. Without any warning, they were unable to sell the fish to minimize their losses. Many suspect that chemical contamination of floodwaters, combined with an oily surface sheen and foul odor, is responsible for the mass deaths. This raises concerns about the survival of both farmed and wild fish in affected areas.
In response, villagers and fish farmers have funded private lab tests of river water samples to evaluate water quality and identify the cause of the fish deaths. They plan to pursue legal action if any illegal activities are uncovered.
Mr. Chanathip Kokmani, Deputy Governor of Prachinburi Province, stated that the cause of the mass fish deaths remains uncertain. Investigations are considering two potential causes the decomposition of aquatic vegetation due to flooding and wastewater from industrial factories. Fish samples are also being tested for heavy metal contamination. Authorities are disseminating information about legal assistance for affected farmers and may seek additional government support if standard compensation is inadequate.