22 June 2010
Executive Summary

The report concludes that the fish mortality was due to a sudden regional increase of sea water temperature which struck the Yemeni eastern cost of the Gulf of Aden between 9th & 12th May 2010, which lowered the amount of dissolved oxygen in the sea water and increased fish metabolism. This has eventually lead to the death of the particular species O. niger, which can not tolerate such sudden increase changes in temperature. Other possible factors of depletion of oxygen due to algal growth could have also contributed, to some extent, to the stress on fish.

Fishermen strongly supported the assumption of the fish kills due to the natural sudden increase of sea water temperature. The fish mortality during the month of May started on the eastern side of the Gulf of Aden region near AlMukalla city on 8th-9th May 2010 and propagated westward. This phenomenon is common in region such as the Gulf of Aden and has been reported earlier for different natural reasons, and most probably, it could happen again during the forthcoming southwest monsoon depending on the strength of the wind and upwelling during the season.

For full report, please copy and paste the below link into your browser's address bar:
http://www.yemenlng.com/ws/uploads/Fish_Die_off_Independent_Report.pdf