THE Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation issued a notice to farmers to take preventive measures to mitigate the impacts of floods on fish farms. The warning states that fish farming across the country contributes to generating foreign revenue and domestic food security.

The Fisheries Department issued preventive measures to mitigate the loss from flooding. Farmers should upgrade their farm bunds with sandbags in low areas of fish ponds to increase height and capacity and prevent the banks of ponds from being washed away during floods, reinforce them with nets to prevent fish from escaping when the water level rises, fill sandbags and putting bamboo railing in fish farms that lie next to water currents, prepare fishing nets, motor boats and equipment to relocate fish if necessary and prioritize large fish in relocation.

Moreover, fish feed and equipment must be relocated to safe places. Fish farmers must keep the fish from escaping with regular feeding, and monitor inundated places that are vulnerable to flooding and the condition of fish ponds. They must be ready to inform the Fisheries Department of any unusual cases promptly.

Afterwards, fish farmers need to stay alert by listening to emergency weather warnings from state-owned radio and broadcasting agencies and reading daily newspapers for weather warnings. They are encouraged to disseminate information among themselves. They can ask for help from the nearest Fisheries Department in emergency cases, the Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation warned.

NN/KK

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