DLH Karawang Investigates the Case of Mass Dead Fish in the Main Irrigation Canal

KARAWANG - Various types of fish died en masse at a number of points along the main irrigation channel or primary channel in the Karawang Regency area, West Java, and the local Environmental Service (DLH) deployed personnel to conduct an investigation.

Guro resident, Karawang Wetan Village, Ujang, admitted that he had seen dead fish in the irrigation canal since Monday (1/6) evening. Then until Tuesday this fish was dead more and more.

"Since yesterday (Monday) many fish have died floating in the irrigation canals and today more and more fish are seen dying," he said as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 2.

Many dead fish were seen at a number of points in the primary irrigation canals in Karawang, such as at Johar Dam, Karawang Wetan Village, East Karawang District, and around the CKM Housing irrigation canal.

Among the types of fish that died were tilapia, catfish, and other freshwater fish. Even the fish-fish were also seen dead in the irrigation canals.

The dead fish were floating and gathering at the edge of the irrigation canal.

Due to this condition, the community took the initiative to pick up and collect the dead fish. In fact, there are some people who actually bring dead fish to their homes.

It is not yet known for certain what caused the fish to die en masse. However, a number of residents said that the condition occurred due to the disposal of liquid waste into irrigation canals.

Head of DLH Karawang Asep Suryana admitted that he had taken samples of irrigation canals where fish died en masse at a number of irrigation canal points in Karawang.

"Several of our officers have launched to the location and taken samples of water and also dead fish. We don't know the cause because it is still under investigation," he said.