Massive fish death in Sebou river due to lack of oxygen
Morocco, Environment, 3/6/2004

The massive death of fish in Sebou, one of Morocco's major rivers, which was reported lately, is due to the lack of oxygen and high concentration of phytoplankton, studies conducted by the national sea research institute (INRH) revealed.

Analysis of water and fish samples showed there are no abnormal chemical tracks while the rate of dissolved oxygen is very low and salinity too high, due to the immixing of sea water, the institute said in a report, adding that fish death reported at the level of the town of Sidi Allal Tazi (north of Rabat) may be due to the propagation of a phytoplankton or the industrial waste of the plants surrounding the river.

The Sebou river suffers massive pollution, caused by populations and by flanking cities and factories, mainly sugar and paper plants. Another source of pollution is the Oued Fez river that carries waste produced by the city's traditional leather and olive oil plants.

Authorities in the city of Kenitra (40km north of Rabat) had announced emergency measures in mid-February following the surfacing of large numbers of dead fish on the banks of the river.

A committee made up of veterinarians, port authorities, firemen, county police and experts from the water and forests department was set up to assess the situation and take preventive measures against the consumption or marketing of the dead fish.

Previous Stories:
  Authorities take emergency measures following massive death of sebou river fish   (2/14/2004)
  Morocco projects to reforest 37,000 hectares in 2003-2004   (12/9/2003)
  Al Alam: environment degradation endangers over 2,000 animal, vegetal species in Morocco   (12/5/2003)

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