Mismanagement at a fish farm, rather than frequent power outages, was responsible for the recent large-scale fish deaths at AF Fish Farm adjacent to Sonamukhi Bill in Sharsha upazila, according to a probe committee. The district administration formed the committee following media reports attributing the fish deaths mainly to frequent power outages.
The committee visited the farm, recorded statements from concerned people, examined power supply records, and assessed the water quality with assistance from the fisheries department. The investigation found that power supply to the feeder line was suspended for about 44 minutes, from 1:42am to 2:26am on August 22. Power supply was otherwise normal before and after the interruption.
The committee also found that fish deaths had begun before the power outage, ruling out frequent load-shedding as the main cause. An examination of the affected water body found an excessive density of fish, high-protein feed, accumulation of organic and nitrogenous waste, excessive phytoplankton growth, irregular pH and ammonia levels, and low dissolved oxygen.
The farm also lacked adequate aeration facilities and an alternative power supply system, which the committee identified as key factors behind the fish mortality. The farm owners said they had made a substantial investment and suffered heavy financial losses, while acknowledging that they could not install a generator due to financial constraints.
The committee said the claim of frequent power outages was not supported by records from the power division or other findings of the investigation. Ashish Kumar Das, assistant commissioner of the district administration, urged all concerned to verify information and facts before publishing reports to avoid misleading or exaggerated accounts.
The incident underscores the importance of proper management and infrastructure in fish farming operations. Inadequate aeration and high fish density can lead to poor water quality, making fish more susceptible to stress and mortality. The lack of backup power further exacerbates the situation during unforeseen power outages.
