Dead fish and lobsters found floating in the Narrows
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Nevis Fisheries Development Officer, Lemuel Pemberton |
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis: Nevis Fisheries Development Officer (NFDO), Lemuel Pemberton, confirmed yesterday afternoon that lobsters and fish have been found dead in the Narrows off Nevis.
Pemberton said that dead fish and lobsters have been found off shore Nags Head, St. Kitts and as far North as Statia Channel and as far South as Long Point, Nevis.
He said the fisheries’ departments in the Federation had acted promptly and samples of the dead fish are being analysed in a laboratory in St. Kitts to establish the cause of death.
Pemberton advised the public not to eat fish that is found dead, “Do not eat any fish floating or that appears to be in distress.” He called on the fishermen to take any such fish to the fisheries’ departments.
According to the NFDO, the Yellow Tail Snapper appears to be the most commonly affected species of fish. The ‘Snook’ fish was also identified as an affected group. He added that both types of fish were popular seafood items on local menus.
A press release was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperatives, Fisheries, Lands and Housing on Feb 1, alerting the public of the situation. ~~Adz:Right~~
Hermia Morton-Anthony, Permanent Secretary in that Ministry, said that there was no need for alarm as there had been no reports of persons getting sick from affected fish. She told SKNVibes.com that she assumed no one was eating the dead fish they had found floating in the water.
Morton-Anthony did confirm that the testing to determine the cause of death was being conducted at the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and that the Ministry was still awaiting the findings.
