Mystery Fish Kill Prompts Environmental Investigation in Belize River Valley

Officials from the Department of the Environment are working to determine the cause of a significant fish kill affecting two communities in the Belize River Valley. Hundreds of dead fish have been found floating in the waterways and washed onto the riverbanks near Isabella Bank and Scotland Half Moon Villages, raising growing concerns among residents about possible contamination and the safety of the water. Residents say the affected fish include several saltwater species, along with species that are typically only seen at night, making the incident even more unusual. The discovery has sparked concern throughout the area, 

Love News contacted the Department of the Environment, which confirmed that a team has been in the affected area conducting water quality tests since early this morning. Officials say the results are expected to determine what caused the fish to die and whether the water poses any risk to residents, livestock or wildlife. At this time, authorities have not established whether the fish kill is linked to pollution, agricultural runoff, changes in water conditions or another environmental factor.Area resident Ernie Baeza believes the water has been poisoned a claim that has not been scientifically confirmed, as the department’s investigation remains ongoing.

Ernie Baizar, Concerned Resident: “I think some kind of poison is in our water because we have fish that we don’t normally see in the day, we see them in the shoal. We only see those at night and they’re trying to catch oxygen. I’ve seen Jack, Black Snapper, Malantee fighting for their lives trying to catch air. So I don’t know what’s happening. We need somebody to come and test the water to see what’s wrong with the fish. From this morning till now I can say probably a thousand fish or more already floated down this river. If you could go close to the water you will see all the fish fighting for air. Probably like ten years ago it happened it killed all the lobsters and it just made a comeback but they’re gone again.”

Reporter: From the ten years ago that it happened, did you guys get to find out why it happened ? 

Ernie Baizar, Concerned Resident: “No. No answers from then. Nobody told us what happened to the fish. All I could say is we can’t eat any fish. We can’t fish because there is none. And the couple you see here they are not good to eat right now. I’ve never seen so many fish floating in the river yet. I’ve never seen so many fish and it looks like the cat fish is the more vulnerable one because they are the ones that are floating up more than the other fish. We’ve seen a couple Manatees floating on their side this morning like something was wrong with them. I don’t know what to say. The village is trying to call people but nobody has come and said anything.”

As of news time, the Department of the Environment had not released the results of its water quality tests or provided an official explanation for the fish kill. Hundreds of dead fish remain scattered throughout the affected waterways and along the riverbanks, while residents continue to await answers about what triggered the incident and whether the water is safe. Until the findings are made public, authorities are urging the public not to collect, handle or consume fish found floating in the river or washed ashore, and to exercise caution when using the affected waterways. Love News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available./