Dead fish have been discovered in Al Muzoon Canal, with an initial investigation suggesting an algal bloom is to blame, the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi said.
It reported the incident on its Instagram page on Monday night and said authorities had taken measures to tackle the issue. An algal bloom is often caused by increased nutrients in the water, which can lead algae to turn toxic and become harmful to humans and animals.
The agency said the dead fish are "linked to an algal bloom in the area, which has led to a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels due to reduced water circulation".
The agency and other authorities "have begun taking the necessary measures to address the situation", including the removal and disposal of the dead fish, it said. Water and fish samples have also been collected "and continuous monitoring of the canal’s environmental conditions to ensure accurate identification of the cause", it added.
The agency is completing a "comprehensive technical assessment" and will share further updates after its analysis is complete. It called on the public to report similar incidents to the authorities.
