5 Tons of Fish Dead in Chernihiv Region: Mass Die-Off of Silver Carp and Common Carp Hits Local Waters.

Mass Fish Kill in Mena Community

According to TSN.ua: In the Chernihiv region, the Mena community has witnessed a devastating die-off of fish in Lake Mena and the Dumnitsa River, with approximately 5 tons of fish lost. The dead include silver carp, common carp, bighead carp weighing up to 20 kg, and crucian carp. Nearly 4 tons of dead fish were collected from one lake in the town of Mena itself, while around a ton of crucian carp perished in the village of Stolne.

This ecological crisis has alarmed both local residents and environmental experts. Ice thickness on the water bodies reached 60 centimeters, a factor that may have contributed to the fish deaths. The Dumnitsa River runs for 10 kilometers along the affected area, highlighting the scale of the disaster. In response, locals have already raised 13,000 hryvnias to fund restocking efforts.

“Crucian carp are quite hardy, but a few years ago there was no water here at all, so everything was overgrown with weeds,” said local resident Yuriy Andriychenko.

Ecologists point to fish sensitivity to environmental changes. Olga Shedko, a representative from the environmental service, reported: “At the time of sampling, dissolved oxygen levels in the water were within normal range, with no critical drop detected.”

Urgent Action Required

The scope of this environmental catastrophe in the Mena community demands immediate intervention from local authorities and environmental organizations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The situation calls for thorough analysis and decisive measures to restore the ecosystem of these waters and avoid future tragedies. This is not only a threat to local biodiversity but also a potential blow to the region's economy, as fishing provides a vital income source for many community residents.