Fishing in Kamgbunli, an Islamic community in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, has come to a standstill due to a mysterious disease afflicting fish in nearby rivers.
The situation has sparked widespread fear among fishermen, who are urgently calling for an investigation to uncover the cause and restore their livelihoods.
Over the past month, fishermen have observed alarming symptoms in their catch, including severe skin infections, red swollen lesions that develop into open wounds, and decayed abdomens. Many fish are also losing scales in patches. These conditions render the fish inedible and unmarketable, leading to significant economic hardships for the community.
Fishermen suspect that illegal mining activities, or “Galamsey,” are to blame, citing pollution in rivers such as the Fia, Ebi, and Amanzule. They believe the murky waters caused by mining have severely harmed aquatic life, including indigenous species like the “Bile” catfish.
“We hadn’t reported it yet, thinking it was a normal occurrence, as I mentioned earlier. However, after the alarming events of Friday, January 10, and Saturday, January 11, we became concerned and plan to report it on Monday, January 13, for further investigation,” said former assembly member Shaibu Issaka.
“At first, we thought it was normal, but the continuous occurrence is creating a high level of panic among our community members.” He added that the continuous emergence of diseased fish is creating panic among community members.
As fishing activities remain suspended, the Kamgbunli community (in Ellembelle) is anxiously awaiting action from relevant authorities. The fishermen are urging stakeholders to address the environmental crisis threatening their livelihoods and the region’s aquatic ecosystem.
