At least 38 dolphins that were washed ashore at Axim-Bewire over the weekend have been released back into the sea by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Twenty-five of the dolphins have so far been buried following Sunday’s incident, according to state-owned Graphic Online.
The EPA said in all about 120 dolphins were washed ashore after they were unable to swim back into the sea.
Four of the mammals that were found dead in the community have so far been taken to University of Cape Coast for investigations.
Background
The dolphins and other large fishes including tuna were washed ashore in some coastal communities of Ghana during the Easter festivities.
The Fisheries Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service have begun investigations into the fish mortality which has been recorded at Axim in the Western Region, Osu in the Greater Accra Region and Keta in the Volta Region.
The dead fishes were washed ashore between Friday 2 April and Sunday 4 April 2021, officials confirmed.
In a statement on Sunday, the Fisheries Commission said it is carrying out tests at its laboratories to establish the cause of death of the fishes.
“Upon arrival at the beach the team noticed that there were dead small pelagic and demersal fishes at the shore,” the statement issued by Executive Director of the Fisheries Commission, Michael Arthur-Dadzie, said.
It added: “Initial observation of the fishes showed no wound /lesions on their bodies. It is to be noted that after two to three days of death of an animal pathological signs change. Samples of the fish were collected on ice to be examined critically in the laboratory.
“Sea water samples have also been collected at the beach in the Korle Klottey District in the Greater Accra Region.
“Examinations will be carried out on the fish gills and other histological examinations will equally be conducted to ascertain any pathological cause. The sea water samples collected will be analysed for physical, chemical and other biological parameters.
“The colour of the sea and temperature are normal. We assure everyone that we are working hard to ascertain the actual cause of mortality of the fish.”
Fred Dzakpata
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