A five-member investigation committee formed by the Jessore district administration has concluded that fish deaths at AF Farm in Sonamukhi Beel, Sharsha, were not caused by load-shedding. The committee submitted its report on Wednesday, two days after the incident. It found that poor management and unscientific farming practices were among the factors behind the deaths at the 41.82-acre farm.

The report said the farm had stocked about 1,500 pabda fish and 16 carp per decimal, exceeding the recommended capacity of 800 pabda and five to six carp. Water tests found elevated pH, excessive phytoplankton that turned the water green, and ammonia levels far above tolerable limits. The committee identified excessive stocking, phytoplankton growth and inadequate aeration as interconnected risks.

Only five two-horsepower aerators were operating at the farm, although at least 30 were needed, and the authorities had not arranged backup power. The inquiry found a 44-minute outage from 1:42am to 2:26am on the night of the incident. It said similar fish deaths did not occur at 12 nearby large enclosures. The farm owner was not interviewed after reporting illness and later switching off his phone.