The statement issued by the Lakes Protection and Fishery Development Authority, affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture, mentioned that fish mortality is a natural phenomenon amid climate change and record heat waves witnessed worldwide, according to Egyptian ‘Ahram Gate’ on Sunday. The statement said, “Fish are cold-blooded creatures and are therefore directly affected by rising temperatures.” It noted that marine species cultivated in Egypt, such as sea bream, sea bass, and mullet, thrive in a temperature range between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius, indicating that any deviation from this range harms their growth, adaptability, and disease resistance.
The authority pointed out that recent heat waves have raised water temperatures beyond the suitable level for these species’ survival, causing stress and mortality. It also noted that reduced dissolved oxygen, increased ammonia levels, and changes in water characteristics were factors exacerbated by the high density of fish in farms compared to their natural environment. The statement confirmed the continuation of technical support and guidance efforts for breeders to address these challenges, indicating that the Minister of Agriculture directed to intensify awareness and provide the necessary support to ensure production efficiency and preserve fishery resources.
Lake Manzala is classified as one of the largest freshwater lakes in Egypt, with an area of about 405 square kilometers and a depth of 1.15 meters. It is located in the northeastern part of the Nile Delta and connects with three governorates: Port Said, Dakahlia, and Damietta. It shares its eastern borders with the Suez Canal and is bordered to the west by the Damietta branch of the Nile River and to the north by the Mediterranean Sea.
