Mass death of clams reported in Ann Twsp

By Admin 21 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
21 April 2023, Ann

Clams appear to be dying en masse in Ann Township, Arakan State, with the dead mollusks reported on the shores of rivers and creeks in the area, according to residents.

Dead clams have been spotted regularly along the shore of Kyar Ohe Creek in Ann since March, said Ko Myo Lwin from Ann Regional China Pipeline Watch.

“There was no heavy rain or water pollution, so we don’t know the cause of the die-off,” said Ko Myo Lwin.

Catches of fish, prawn and crab have steeply declined alongside the reports of clam deaths, said residents.

Crabber Ko Myo Maung from Ann Township said he has been struggling to support his family as he has been unable to find crabs for more than a month now.

“We can hardly find crab, prawn, and fish now,” said Ko Myo Maung.

The Arakan State Fisheries Department said it has not yet received a report from its branch in Ann Township about the mass death of clams, and is therefore not taking any action so far.

Though the exact cause of death is still unknown, water pollution and harsh weather conditions are typically the major factors, said U Tun Thein, acting director of the Arakan State Fisheries Department. 

“We can conclude that it is because something is wrong with the water source. If water is contaminated, fish and prawn stocks can decline. If the concerned township department reports to us, we will carry out a lab test on the water,” said U Tun Thein.

Millions of clams died in 2018 because of water pollution in the Thanzit River near Maday Island in Kyaukphyu Township, site of a China-backed deep-sea port and other major infrastructure projects.

The gradual depletion of marine sources in Arakan State is posing serious challenges to a large part of the population whose livelihoods are dependent on water resources.