Kupastuntas.co, Lampung English - Thousands of fish in the Way Seputih stream in Buyut Udik Village, Gunung Sugih District, Central Lampung Regency died suddenly, allegedly because they were poisoned by a group of people.

The chairman of the Buyut Udik Fishermen's Group (KNBU), Agus Eko Susanto, said that thousands of dead freshwater Fish were discovered by local residents on Monday 5 June 2023.

Agus said the local fishermen were very disappointed with the incident. Because all this time the Way Seputih sect has been their livelihood.

"The KNBU strongly condemns the criminal act that damaged the ecosystem in the Way Seputih sect. We immediately reported the discovery of thousands of dead fish in the Way Seputih stream to law enforcement officials," he said, Thursday 8 June 2023.

He asked law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate this environmental destruction action. "The incident of thousands of fish dying in Way Seputih due to poisoning has occurred several times. Until now, we are still looking for the perpetrators, "said Agus.

According to Agus, the perpetrators usually spread poison in the river at night. Because thousands of dead fish were found in the early hours before dawn.

“The perpetrators are suspected of working in groups, more than three people. They use chemicals so the fish die. I want to cry when I see so many dead fish, especially the small ones," he said.

Local traditional leader, Helmi Ridwan, said the formation of a fishing organization in Kampung Buyut Udik aims to combat destructive fishing.

According to Helmi, fishing activities using chemicals not only damage ecosystems and environmental sustainability, but also endanger human health and safety.

"We support and hope that law enforcement officers will act firmly against the perpetrators of destructive fishing, so as to provide a deterrent effect.

The head of Buyut Udik Village, Ibnu Hajar, admitted that he had received a KNBU report regarding the presence of thousands of dead fish in Way Seputih.

"The village government continues to educate that the practice of destructive fishing is not good, it harms everyone. The community must be aware of that, if it still happens we will report and arrest the perpetrators," said Ibnu.

Meanwhile, the Central Lampung Livestock and Fisheries Plantation Service does not yet know the cause of the death of thousands of fish in Way Seputih.

The Head of the Central Lampung Bunakan Service, Krisna Rajasa said that his party continues to provide training for fishermen to develop their existing potential.

"We will continue to conduct training for aquaculture fishermen and capture fishermen in the sub-district to develop their existing potential. This is so that they can carry out activities with legal equipment," he said.

Regarding the thousands of dead fish in Way Seputih, Krisna admitted that he did not know the cause. He advised the public to report the incident to the Regional Environmental Management Agency.

"They should report to Bapedalda because it is their authority to take water and fish samples in the laboratory," he said. (*)

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