Fish deaths in lake unexplained

PADANG, West Sumatra: Thousands of tons of fish have been found dead in Singkarak Lake, 90 kilometers northeast of Padang.

They were first spotted on Friday and continued to cover the lake's surface on Monday, causing a stench.

Experts from Padang-based Bung Hatta University said they feared the bilih (mysitakoleneus padangensis), a species known only to exist in the lake, may have become extinct.

Researcher Hafrizal Sandri said the fish may have been poisoned by sulfur, derived from a number of sources. He said winds and waves could have stirred up the element from the lake bottom.

The lake bed is believed to be linked to the crater of the active Merapi volcano in the province. The head of the fishery agency here, Firial Marahuddin, said the cause of the calamity was under investigation. The fish, a source of income to about 600 fishermen, are also exported to Malaysia. (28)