Red tide at the mouth of the Aposelemi – What do the data of ELKETHE show for the dead fish

The results of the analyzes showed Red Tides for the estuary of Aposelemi, reports cretapost.gr.

Dr. Pantelis Katharios, Research Director at the Laboratory of Aquaculture Microbiology at the Hellenic Center for Marine Research, summarizes in his message to the Region of Crete and the Municipality of Hersonissos the following:

“On Monday, May 9, 2022, after a telephone communication with the Region of Crete, we went to the mouth of the river Aposelemi in the area of ​​the Ascension of the Municipality of Hersonissos to investigate an incident of mass mortality of fish.

The color of the river water was intense brown with no odor. A large number of Mugil cephalus (mullet) fish of various sizes were dead and had already been collected by municipal crews. A water sample was taken as well as five people from the dead heads for laboratory tests at the Laboratory of Microbiology of Aquaculture of the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture of ELKETHE. “

Because the fish died

He also explains that “the examination of the dead fish showed that the mortality was due to local flowering of the fish-toxic microalgae, Chattonella sp. Which was found in large numbers in the gills of all examined fish. Chattonella species belongs to the class Particularly toxic to fish when there is an increase in its population, a phenomenon known as red tide.Mass mortality of fish and other aquatic organisms due to this phenomenon have been observed around the world and in Greece.

In 2009 this microalgae caused massive mortality in the Gulf of Malia.

In addition to the microscopic examination of the fresh preparations, gill samples were taken for histopathological examinations but also for molecular identification of the pathogenic algae. The results of these analyzes are expected in about a month.

The red tides, which are part of the harmful phytoplankton outbreaks (Harmful Algal Blooms) are favored by the increase of the water temperature but mainly by the increased presence of nutrients (phosphates and nitrogen salts). Nutrient sources can be either natural or man-made (fertilizers, wastewater, etc.). Chemical analysis of water should be performed to investigate the presence of nutrients. These fish should also not be eaten as there is a serious risk of food poisoning. “

Photos by Aposelemi M.T- Cretapost.gr

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