Authorities in Suriname Investigating Cause Behind Dead Fish and Sea Turtles Washing up on Beaches

PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Suriname environment officials are investigating the cause responsible for the hundreds of dead fishes and sea turtles washing up on the beaches near the Amerindian village Galibiat in the Marowijne District.

Hundreds of dead fish wash up on the beach of Galibi.Ministry of Spatial Planning and the Environment said that an investigation is ongoing and that a statement on the issue should be issued as soon as possible.

Media reports said that for more than two weeks, the residents of Galibi and the surrounding area have had to deal with the stench, caused by dead fishes washing up from the sea. The nesting beaches of sea turtles are also littered with dead vertebrates.

“We have never known this before. Since climate change has occurred, we have noticed a lot of strange things in the environment and nature,” said the captain of the Amerindian village, Ricardo Pané.

He said he is concerned that the environmental problem could lead to economic, health, food security for the village, noting also that local fishermen have not been able to conduct their trade for the past two weeks.

Pané said he has no idea what is causing the current situation and that this is the second time such a situation has occurred in the village, recalling the problems with the sargassum weeds.

Local authorities said the neighboring French Guiana is also experiencing the same problem.