Mass fish deaths suspected to be caused by waste pollution in Karawang main irrigation canal

Various species of fish have died en masse at several points along the main irrigation or primary canal in the Karawang Regency, West Java, prompting the local Environmental Agency (DLH) to deploy personnel to conduct an investigation. Ujang, a resident of Guro, Karawang Wetan, Karawang Timur, stated on Tuesday that dead fish had been seen floating in the irrigation canal since Monday night, with the number of dead fish increasing by Tuesday. The deceased fish include species such as tawes, baung, and other freshwater varieties, as well as numerous armoured catfish (ikan sapu-sapu). The dead fish were seen floating and gathering along the edges of the irrigation canal. In response to the situation, some local residents took the initiative to collect the dead fish, with some even bringing them home. The Head of the Karawang Environmental Agency, Asep Suryana, confirmed that water samples have been taken from several points in the irrigation canal where the mass deaths occurred. “Several of our officers have been dispatched to the location to collect water samples and also the dead fish. We do not yet know the cause as the investigation is still ongoing,” said Asep Suryana.