Fish deaths at Boyapadu linked to oxygen depletion, seaweed: preliminary findings

A preliminary assessment has attributed the mass fish mortality along the Boyapadu coast in Nakkapalli mandal to oxygen depletion in seawater, likely caused by seaweed proliferation, officials said. The report has found no evidence of pollution-related causes so far, while a detailed investigation is underway.

Thousands of dead fish were washed ashore along the Boyapadu coastline on the 20th of this month, causing concern among local fishermen and drawing public attention after reports and images surfaced in the media. The sudden incident prompted the government to order an immediate inquiry.

Following the development, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Home Minister Anita directed officials to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fish deaths. A multi-agency team was deployed to the site.

The team included marine experts, fisheries department officials, and technical staff from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). On inspection, they found that fish of the same species had died along a continuous stretch of nearly 1,500 metres of coastline, extending up to about five metres inland from the shore.

Samples from the affected stretch were collected and analysed at CMFRI in Visakhapatnam. Based on field inspection and laboratory results, a preliminary report was prepared.

The report, submitted on Friday to the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board chairman and senior officials, identified oxygen depletion in the water column as the most probable cause, possibly linked to excessive seaweed growth in the coastal zone.

Officials reiterated that there is no evidence at this stage of industrial or chemical pollution contributing to the incident. They said the findings are preliminary and further scientific studies are in progress to establish a conclusive cause.