UNEXPLAINED DEATH OF FISH IN RATGAMA LAGOON

The fisher folk in Ratgama area were perturbed by the unexplained death of fish in the Ratgama lagoon.

They said the death of fish in the lagoon had been going on for a long time. Fishermen pointed out that thousands of dead fish were floating in the lagoon and said the officials of the Fisheries Department had not yet been able to explain the cause of these deaths. They were of the opinion that the obstructions caused by the Dodanduwa Fishery Harbour to the free flow of water through the estuary reduced the ratio of salt water in the lagoon. They pointed out that large population in more than 500 families, who depended on fishing in the lagoon, has lost their livelihood.

National Agency of Aquatic Resources that carried out an inspection of the lagoon is of the opinion that the death of fish were caused by an algae spreading in the lagoon.

Secretary of the “Samagi” Lagoon Management Society, K.K.P. Piyaratne of Katudampe said the death of fish at times had been experienced for a long time and that ill planned fishery harbour resulted in this state.

“The planners of the fishery harbour changed the course of the estuary preventing the free flow of water. The estuary is now obstructed by a massive boulder. This prevents the flow of water into the lagoon during the high tide. As I know the lagoon which is a breeding ground for fish must have 5 per cent salt water. During heavy rains the lagoon fills with fresh water reducing the ratio of salt water. The lagoon is about 187 hectares in extent and a breeding ground for prawns, crabs, and fish. Fisher folk in 17 Grama Niladhari divisions depend on the lagoon for their livelihood. Officials of the Fisheries Department inspected the lagoon on May 2010 and promised to modify the access road to the fishery harbour to allow high tide and low tide in the lagoon. However, we have not yet heard anything from them,” he said

President of the “Arunodaya” Lagoon Management Society M. Bennet said the officials of the Fisheries Department ignored continual representations in this regard. He said the people only wanted the Department blast the rock obstructing the estuary.

Meanwhile the farmers in the area said their houses and a vast area of paddy fields often went under water during heavy rains due to the obstruction in the estuary.