Belize River Fish Kill Samples Sent Abroad for Testing

The Department of the Environment says it has received some preliminary results from its investigation into the mass death of fish and other aquatic wildlife in the Belize River. However, the department says the absence of specialized testing equipment in Belize means some samples must be sent abroad for analysis.  In a brief update to Love News, the DOE said, that they will be doing media rounds this week, but a definitive cause will take some time to be ascertained.  The department has not yet disclosed what its preliminary findings show or when the overseas test results are expected.  The update comes as the Belize Network of NGOs (BNN), calls for a full, urgent, transparent and independently verified investigation into the incident. Significant fish mortality has been documented along an approximately seventeen-and-a-half-mile stretch of the river between Isabella Bank and Grace Bank.  According to BNN, field observations have found several species of dead fish, including blue catfish, Mayan catfish, Rhamdia species and snook. Two critically endangered hicatees and a crocodile were also reportedly found dead.  The DOE previously recorded extremely low levels of dissolved oxygen, along with elevated conductivity, chlorophyll-a and turbidity, at affected locations. However, BNN argues that oxygen depletion alone may not adequately explain the deaths of air-breathing animals such as turtles and crocodiles. The organization says the possibility of chemical contamination must therefore be thoroughly investigated, while stressing that a definitive cause has not yet been scientifically established.  BNN is also calling on investigators to examine the chemical products purchased, stored and applied by large-scale agricultural and other commercial operations upstream of the affected area. It recommends coordinated monitoring involving the DOE, Pesticides Control Board, Belize Agricultural Health Authority and Belize Water Services, as well as independent third-party testing.  The organization says the findings must be made public and that the existing public health advisory should remain clearly communicated while the investigation continues. As we noted, the DOE is expected to provide a more detailed update through media appearances later this week.