Concerns Rise in Orange Walk Town as New River Overrun with Dead Fish

Tonight, residents of Orange Walk Town are concerned over the state of the New River after dead fish began to float to its surface. This morning, a local from the area posted videos of dead fish lining the river’s banks and said the issue occurred for almost two weeks. This is not the first incident, which may be why the Department of the Environment (DOE) has not dispatched a team to the area. The DOE told Love News that “the low levels of the river created an environment where the oxygen levels fall, which causes death to the fish. Generally, the instances are attributed to the dry season and the lack of fresh water making its way into the river.” The environmental concern is worrisome to residents who are unable to operate due to the foul stench being emitted into the air. Nisha Pelayo, Owner of Lamanai Riverside Retreat, spoke to Orange Walk Correspondent Stephanie Acosta about how the incident affected her.