Sardines ‘choke’ to death in Sidab

By Zainab Al Nasseri — MUSCAT: May 2 - A number of dead sardines were found on the shores of Oman Royal Coast Guard’s port in Sidab area on Monday. The fish had choked to death due to shortage of oxygen in the sea water, according to specialists from the Marine Sciences and Fisheries Centre, affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. After investigating the samples of fish collected there, experts said the oxygen shortage was caused by the excessive growth of plankton, which is scientifically called prorocentrum arcuatum. Oxygen levels had dropped sharply to 1.2 mg/l, according to them. The sardines had got stuck in the port’s basin, which is partially closed, and seemed to offer insufficient oxygen to the marine creatures. Residents of Sidab, many of whom depend on marine life for their livelihood, appealed to the ministry to take steps to prevent such incidents.