Tons of Fish Dead in Sumatra Lake, Residents Complain About Smell

jpnn.com, AGAM - Tons of fish have died in Lake Maninjau in Tanjung Raya district, Agam regency, West Sumatra, since early December 2021. 

Local residents said that the mass deaths were triggered by extreme weather conditions.

Some have complained about the unpleasant odor it has caused.

"All the way, the air in the area is not good. I feel nauseous," 38-year-old Rizki said, Sunday (2/1).

Moreover, he said, the carcasses of fish floating in the lake added to the inconvenience of residents who visited the area for tours.

Desrona (23) feared that tourist visits to the volcanic lake area could decrease if the local administration did not immediately address the problem.

"From my observation, there are no more visitors who stop by in Maninjau and Bayua," she said.

Agam Fisheries and Food Security Agency head Rosva Deswira said that on Thursday (30/12), the dead fish in the Nagari Bayua area totaled about 200 tons and in the Nagari Manijau area around 50 tons.