In order to be proactive in the approach to addressing fish die off or hypoxic or events and in order to warn the community of the possibility of another fish die-off event such as the one that was experienced in March 2013, the Nature Foundation conducted water quality tests in order to determine quality levels in the Great Salt Pond. Based on the executed field tests there is an increased probability, close to 65%, of another fish die off occurring if water levels and oxygen levels do not change in the Great Salt Pond. This information will be forwarded to the necessary departments and consultations will be conducted.
There have already been fish reported as having died in the Great Salt Pond, especially on the 25th and 26th of April. Tilapia are an introduced species in St. Maarten, having established themselves over the last ten to fifteen years in the Great Salt and Fresh Ponds. The presence of Tilapia has to be closely studies for the effects on the Native Fish population, however the die-offs of a tolerant species such as Tilapia has to raise concerns about the water quality of St. Maarten.
Since January 2013 the island has been experiencing very little rainfall and hot and on occasion calm weather. This, together with land reclamation activities in the Great Salt and Fresh Ponds has resulted in poor water circulation and a drop in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the ponds. The Drop in DO has resulted in oxygen depleted water (a DO level close to 1 part per million is essential oxygen depleted compared to a normal level of 7 ppm) which in turn results in fish die offs. The worry is that Tilapia will be the first species to die, followed by Tarpon, Mullets and other native fish species.
The Nature Foundation would like to echo Government's previous advice not to eat the fish; doing so might have some significant health consequences.
The Nature Foundation recommends that the levels of the ponds be continuously managed in order to reflect meteorological conditions in order to avoid further die offs.
The Nature Foundation will monitor the situation closely as it continues.
