Mozambique fish deaths caused by climate change

Laboratory analyses have confirmed that deaths of fish on Mozambique beaches earlier this month were caused by large amounts of fresh water from rivers flowing into the sea.

The BBC had reported on 10 February about the dead fish washing up on Maputo Bay and causing concern for the authorities.

On Wednesday, Fisheries Minister Lidia Cardoso said the results revealed that the main cause had to do with the change in climatic conditions.

She also dispelled rumours that the fish had died because of chemical poisoning.

“[It] had nothing to do with chemical components. The discharge from the rivers due to the floods affected the fish, which are very vulnerable to stress - and because the salinity level in the water dropped, the fish died,” she said.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Radio Mozambique