Scores of dead fish found washed ashore near Adayar estuary

Scores of dead fish have been found washed ashore near the estuary of the Adayar river in the city, prompting authorities to collect samples to find the exact cause of the deaths.
The dead fish was noticed by passers-by and fishermen yesterday.
Some environmentalists suspect that it could be due to sewage mixing in the river.
On the other hand, the state government said reduction of salt content in the sea water due to fresh water might have caused the deaths.
Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said the fresh water passing through the estuary might have led to the reduction of salt content in the sea water.

"It may be due to this, the fish died, he told reporters.

He said officials were directed to collect samples of the dead fish to identify the exact cause.
Noted environmentalist Nithyanand Jayaraman claimed sewage had mixed with sea water and as result the oxygen content in the water got reduced, resulting in the death of the fish.
Such incidents had occurred in the past also, he alleged.
"I was told that these kind of fish were of "Madavai" variety which normally arrive during the monsoon season," he said.