Residents of the Vitebsk region are asked to report signs of fish kill in water bodies

The Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection appeals to citizens to report signs of fish kills in water bodies and watercourses.

The committee noted that the established frosts contribute to the formation of an ice crust on the surface of the water body, blocking access of atmospheric air and oxygen, which can be accompanied by mass fish kills. In some cases, winter fish kills can be caused by the presence of a large amount of humic substances and ferrous oxide in the water, the oxidation of which leads to a decrease in oxygen in the water.

Among the effective measures to prevent winter fish kills is the creation of ice holes in water bodies, the department explained: "The number of ice holes depends on the area of the water body and averages 3–5 pieces per hectare. Ice holes should be located in the center of the water body and along its perimeter, where the depth of the non-freezing layer is 50–60 cm. To prevent ice holes from freezing, it is necessary to install sheaves made of reeds, cattails, and other hollow "breathing" plants in them or to hang bags of salt in such ice holes at a rate of 5 kg per bag."

Citizens who discover a fish kill are strongly urged to report it: in leased or gratuitously used fishing grounds – to lessees and users, as well as to the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora under the President; in fishing grounds of the reserve fund – to local executive and administrative bodies, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and its territorial bodies.