Five Tons Of Lake Maninjau Agam Fish Dies Due To Strong Winds

The Department of Food Security and Fisheries in Agam Regency, West Sumatra noted that about five tons of floating net cage fish in Lake Maninjau, precisely under Bayua Market, Tanjung Raya District, died due to strong winds that hit the area since Sunday (12/1).

"About five tons of tilapia fish died in various sizes," said Head of the Agam Food Security and Fisheries Service Rosva Deswira accompanied by Fisheries Extension Officer Agam Asrul Deni Putra as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 15.

He said the five tons of fish came from four floating net cages owned by farmers.

As a result, farmers suffered a loss of around Rp. 125 million at a price of Rp. 25,000 per kilogram at the farmer level.

"The price of tilapia at the farmer level is Rp. 25,000 per kilogram," he said.

He said this fish died from strong winds that hit the area on Sunday (12/1) afternoon, resulting in a reversal of water from the bottom to the surface of the lake.

With this condition, oxygen decreases at the bottom of the volcanic lake and fish experience dizziness.

On Monday (13/1), he added dead fish and floating on the surface of the lake.

"Fish carcasses float to the surface and we are still collecting data on the number of deaths," he said.

He invited farmers not to throw fish carcasses into the lake, resulting in lake water pollution.

However, they are asked to collect and bury them, so that the lake water is not polluted.

"I invite farmers to protect the environment by not throwing fish carcasses into the lake," he said.

Previously, the Agam Food Security and Fisheries Service had made a letter with Number 500.5.3.3/435/DKPP/2024 regarding extreme weather predictions and efforts to prevent fish deaths in Lake Maninjau.

The letter was made on November 21, 2024 and submitted to the wali nagari or village head and Tanjun Raya sub-district head.

"We have anticipated and given letters to the wali nagari and the sub-district head," he said.