Fish ‘die-off’ under investigation in Iqaluit, Canada

Hundreds of dead fish seen near the deepsea port; Fisheries and Oceans Canada says don’t touch them

A “die-off” of fish in Iqaluit is being investigated by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

“Fisheries and Oceans Canada has received reports of what appears to be a die-off of fish that has washed up in Iqaluit, Nunavut,” said Jordan E. Charbonneau, communications director with the federal department, in an email Monday.

“The department is investigating to try to determine the cause.”

On Monday afternoon, hundreds of dead fish could be seen floating in an area near Iqaluit’s deepsea port on the opposite side of the road from the causeway.

The area, which appears to have a flow of water into it, was relatively unattended except for sealift vehicles going in and out of the port and the occasional raven picking away at some of the dead fish.

Charbonneau did not say what type of fish were involved in the die-off or offer any other explanations.

However, he warned the public not to touch the dead fish.

“As the cause is still under investigation and it is unknown how long the fish have been there, we ask the public not to remove the dead fish from the water,” he said.

“There may be health risks to handling or consuming fish that have been dead in the water for an unknown period of time, and from an unknown cause.”

Nunavut’s Department of Environment referred comment to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Located in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, Nunatsiaq News is dedicated to covering affairs in Nunavut and the Nunavik territory of Quebec since 1973. It has been a partner to ArcticToday and its predecessors since 2016.