Residents and visitors are being warned against eating ‘double dead’ fish following a major fish kill in Josiah Bay, Tortola. Photo: GIS

Chief Environmental Health Officer, Lionel E. Michael, said an investigation has concluded that the most likely cause of the fish kill was due to dissolved oxygen depletion caused by high temperatures and pollution from land coupled with decaying vegetation, water depth and quality and the nutrient content of the water. Photo: VINO/File

This, according to a public statement released by the Government Information Service (GIS) and quotes,

Chief Environmental Health Officer, Lionel E. Michael saying, an investigation has concluded that the most likely cause of the fish kill was due to dissolved oxygen depletion caused by high temperatures and pollution from land coupled with decaying vegetation, water depth and quality and the nutrient content of the water.

“All of these things combined and resulted in low Oxygen in the pond that could not sustain marine life.”

He also stated that the consumption of a fish that has died under these circumstances can still cause serious illness and even death.

For more information on the fish kill please contact the Department of Conservation and Fisheries and the Environmental Health Division at 544-4757.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitates the recovery of human development and quality of life in the British Virgin Islands.