Mass deaths of valuable saltwater fish might have occurred off Jibei Islet (吉貝) in Penghu County amid the cold spell that struck the nation on Sunday and Monday, local fishers said.
Fishers reported spotting dead fish on the water as sea temperatures around the islet plummeted to a low of 13.6°C, the coldest so far this year.
Fish injured by the cold water including parrotfish, damselfish, clownfish and shrimp that are sought after by both aquarists and gourmets could be seen being scooped up by local residents on beaches throughout the islet.
Although local fish farmers have yet to report their