A huge quantity of dead fish, shrimp, jelly fish and other aquatic marine species were found floating on the Pentha coast of Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in the Bay of Bengal in last two days spreading concern among the locals and environmentalists.

The locals opined that the fish may have died due to some poison used by the fishermen at the coast. On Monday, a three-member team of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) from Paradip led by Assistant Engineer Madan Mohan Sahu visited the Pentha beach in order to conduct an inquiry over the death of the fish and also to assess the situation. The PCB personnel later collected the dead fish samples and water samples at different points of the coast within a 3km stretch where the fish and other aquatic marine species were found.

The fish were found dead on Sunday at 3 km stretch of coast from Pentha whereas on Monday the stretch was reduced to 1km. As the fish were found dead in limited areas, so it might not be due to pollution, the PCB officials opined. Consequently, the needle of suspicion is pointed at the nuisance caused by the fishers. It is apprehended that poison might have been applied by fishermen to catch fish, causing the mass death of the aquatic species.

‘We have sent water samples to the PCB and ICZM laboratories for tests. The dead fish samples will be sent to the OUAT and the Fishery department to ascertain the exact reason behind the dead of such a huge number of fish and aquatic species,’ informed PCB team leader Sahu.

Meanwhile, the PCB has asked for the help of the Marine Fishery and Forest departments to conduct a joint inquiry. A detailed survey will be conducted in the coming days for taking precautionary measures as the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting season is on,’ added Sahu.