A Fisheries and Oceans expert says fishermen at coastal cities, where several species of fish and dolphins were washed ashore over the weekend, are free to ply their trade.

Professor Francis Nunoo, a senior lecturer at the Department of Fisheries and Marine Science at the University of Ghana said the sea is not only huge but also has a natural tendency to cleanse itself.

“The outpour of the fish have stopped for now. We will say that the sea is okay. So there is whole fish out there, fishermen can go fishing. But they should catch wholesome fish,” he said.

Prof Nunoo explained that fishermen can look for telltale signs that could help them identify whether the fish caught is safe for consumption.

He said for fresh fish “the gills are red and fresh. But if the gills have some smell, as well as have some spots or they are not as red as it is supposed to be,” then they are not safe.

His comment comes after some fish were spotted dead along some coastal areas including Osu in the Greater Accra Region.

After a day some 60 dead dolphins were sighted at the shores of Axim-Bewire in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

The Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly after the incident cautioned the general public against consuming fishes that were washed up unto the shores while investigations were being conducted to ascertain the cause.

Meanwhile, Prof Nunoo said that he is hopeful the country will get some answers on what happened by the close of day Tuesday, April 6.

“My department is collaborating with IESS (Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies) of the same university, we have taken samples and as of now, we are at the lab examining them.

"The Fisheries Commission has taken samples, the FDA and others have all taken samples and various labs are really on the spot working,” he said.

Prof Nunoo, however, urged the general public against buying fishes at cheap prices following concerns some people might have taken some of the fishes. 

“We all know the normal average prices of fish. So if you see somebody selling a huge high-class fish very cheaply, you must question it. Cheap fish is dangerous. Please let us not buy cheap fish,” he said.