Massive Tilapia Suffocating Yesterday, Pingtung's Wanshan River Sees More Fish Deaths Today

Residents in Pingtung reported seeing a large number of tilapia gasping for air at the surface of the Wanshan River on the day before Typhoon Barway made landfall. This alarming sight suggested critically low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. The situation escalated the following day, when a substantial fish kill occurred in the Wanshan River, with tilapia being the most affected species.

This incident follows a similar event two months prior, when a large number of dead fish appeared in the Shashe Creek in Pingtung. Environmental authorities were alerted and collected water samples at that time. While the water quality itself was deemed acceptable, the dissolved oxygen levels were found to be low. Such occurrences are common between April and July, when rising temperatures lead to decreased oxygen in the water, predominantly impacting tilapia and, in more severe cases, even bottom-feeding fish like plecos.

Following the reports of fish struggling before the typhoon, Pingtung County's Environmental Protection Bureau and Water Resources Department responded to the Wanshan River. They conducted sampling and initiated cleanup operations. Local residents noted that the number of dead fish this time was less than in previous incidents, possibly due to the rainfall brought by the typhoon, which increased water flow and replenished oxygen levels. However, a noticeable odor persisted, necessitating further action.

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