KOTA KINABALU: Hundreds of dead fish have been spotted floating in two rivers in the city since early Thursday (Jan 9) morning.
Witnesses reported seeing the dead fish along the Sembulan and Karamunsing rivers from around 8am, but there has been no immediate response from authorities.
It is unclear whether the Sabah Fisheries Department has launched an investigation into the mysterious fish deaths.
The Star has reached out to the department’s director for comments.
In previous similar incidents, harmful algal blooms have been blamed for mass fish deaths.
These blooms can occur in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, ponds, bays, and coastal waters, and the toxins they produce can harm both human health and aquatic life.
Harmful algal blooms are primarily caused by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.