Algae virus suspected as cause of fish found dead in Unimas man-made lake

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KUCHING: The micro green algae virus is suspected to be the cause of thousands of dead fish in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) man-made lake.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, a check conducted on the lake revealed that all the fish was from the black tilapia species.

“Officials involved in the investigation believe that the death of the fish is be related to the virus,” he told reporters after performing the ground breaking for a new surau project at Kuching Family Park here yesterday.

Wan Junaidi, who is Santubong MP, believed that the situation at Unimas occurred in view of the residential apartments surrounding the lake and the recent heavy rain.

He said the rainwater might have seeped into the lake, exposing it to such virus.

He also reminded all that as the chemist would take some time to conduct tests on the water sample, the public should not jump into conclusion and blame the university for the Incident.

“I have directed an official from my ministry to come here and discuss the matter with Unimas, to see what we can do to solve the problem,” he assured all parties.