Understanding the Fish Stranding Incident on Agadir Beach
In recent days, social media has been flooded with distressing images and videos depicting a large-scale stranding of fish, particularly "Lbouri" mullets, along the shores of Agadir. These alarming visuals prompted many to speculate about a potential spike in pollution or an environmental anomaly affecting the bay. However, the reality behind this incident has been clarified by the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH).
Salah Eddine El Ayoubi, the head of the INRH's regional center in Agadir, which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, has categorically dismissed the pollution theories. In a statement to SNRTnews, he explained that the presence of these fish on the coastline was a direct result of an unexpected maritime incident that occurred earlier in the week.
The incident unfolded as follows: A fishing vessel, specifically a tuna boat, was returning to Agadir after a fishing expedition in the southern waters when it experienced a significant technical failure, resulting in a leak that nearly led to its sinking. To stabilize the vessel and ensure the crew's safety, maritime authorities coordinated a rescue operation. A second fishing boat was dispatched to the scene to urgently transfer part of the cargo and lighten the distressed ship.
During this critical maneuver, a substantial quantity of fish, predominantly mullets, was accidentally released into the water. Carried by the currents and waves, these deceased fish eventually washed ashore on Agadir beach. Following the report of the stranding, local authorities promptly initiated a public health operation to collect the specimens and transport them to the municipal landfill, in accordance with health and environmental protocols for such situations.
The claims linking this fish stranding to marine pollution in the bay of Agadir are entirely unfounded and are characterized as an isolated operational incident that was purely accidental. There is no connection to any degradation of water quality or suspicious ecological phenomena, as emphasized by the INRH official.
As reported by snrtnews.com.
