Hundreds of dead fish wash ashore on RAK beach

Sudden change in seawater temperature could be one of the reasons.

Hundreds of dead fish were seen at the coasts of Ras Al Khaimah over the last few days. The environment protection and development authority collected samples of the fish to identify the reasons behind the phenomenon.

Dr Saif Al Ghais, executive director of the authority, said they received complaints from the RAK fishermen on huge amounts of different types of dead fish over the coasts of the emirate.

"The authority immediately collected samples to decide if the red tide is to be blamed on the phenomenon, or if there are other reasons."

The fish might have died because of the sudden change in seawater temperature, he pointed out.

Humaid Rashid Al Zaabi, deputy chairman of the RAK fishermen society, said they received similar complaints. "We immediately alerted the environment protection and development authority to do the needful."

The dead fish spotted include Safi, Khan, and Bedah fishes are usually seen some 7km off the coasts, he added. "They might have been washed out to the shores because of the sea winds and currents."

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ras Al Khaimah