Thousand of fish die in Jambi lake

JAMBI: Thousands of fish in fish farms on Lake Sipin in Bulurankenali subdistrict, Telanaipura district, Jambi city, have died over the last several days.

"The fish died because the temperature of the lake rose," said the head of the provincial fisheries and marine office, Herman Suherman, on Thursday.

Heavy rain over the last several days brought to the surface of the lake organic substances -- the remains of fish food and dirt. The organic substances contained sulfates, which raised the water temperature, thus reducing the oxygen in the water.

Herman said the only way to stop the fish from dying was to dredge the lake to remove the organic substances.

This incident has been a heavy blow to the fish farmers, who depend on the fish as their sole source of income. -- JP