Crucian carp are dying in mass numbers in the upstream area of Soyangho Lake in Inje County, South Korea.
The environmental crisis has halted local fishing operations, forcing residents to collect dead fish instead of harvesting for sale. Because the die-off affects the local economy and food chain, fishermen fear a permanent loss of buyers for their remaining stock.
Local fishermen said that the deaths have been occurring for approximately two months [1]. Other reports indicate the phenomenon has persisted for over one month [2]. The scale of the die-off has reached a point where the primary activity for some workers is now the removal of carcasses from the water.
Investigators said the cause is suspected to be hydrogen sulfide released from sediment at the bottom of the lake [1]. This toxic gas can create lethal conditions for aquatic life when it reaches the water column, leading to rapid mortality in species like the crucian carp.
Park Sang-kwon, a local fisherman, said that there is effectively no one looking to buy fish now. He said that people may think other fish are also affected or that the overall quality has become poor.
The situation in Gangwon Province has left many residents without a reliable source of income. While authorities continue to monitor the water quality, the lack of a definitive solution for the sediment release leaves the fishing community in a state of economic instability.
“The die-off has been occurring for approximately two months.”
The event highlights the vulnerability of freshwater ecosystems to chemical shifts in benthic sediment. When hydrogen sulfide is released, it can trigger a collapse in local biodiversity and create a secondary economic crisis for artisanal fishing communities who rely on a reputation for purity and safety to sell their catch.
