No further escalation of fish deaths

menindee-lakes

Hot and dry conditions are likely to pose ongoing threats to native fish over the remainder of the summer.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries researchers have reported no further escalation of fish deaths in the Menindee weir pool and neighbouring sections along the Darling River since Monday.

More than three tonnes of dead fish have been removed in the clean-up by contractors working for Central Darling Shire Council.

The majority of the fish which have been found dead were Bony Herring. In addition, approximately 1,000 adult Golden Perch have been removed. Silver Perch and some non-native carp were also killed.

Fish deaths are not unusual in summer, however DPI’s Interim Fish Deaths report, found that both fish kills which occurred on December 15, 2018 and January 6, 2019 of the Lower Darling River were likely to have been caused by several factors resulting in low dissolved oxygen levels in the river.

DPI Fisheries officers are also investigating further fish deaths:

The Murrumbidgee River

  • DPI Fisheries officers are investigating fish deaths at Redbank Weir that has affected thousands of fish.
  • The cause is likely to be related to low dissolved oxygen levels associated with the same cool weather that contributed to the recent fish deaths at Menindee.
  • Staff from DPI and other agencies are assessing the extent of the deaths and collecting water quality and other relevant data to inform the investigation.

Lake Keepit

  • DPI Fisheries officers have not observed any further small scale fish kills affecting parts of the Lake since the weekend.

Lake Inverell

  • Fisheries officers are investigating fish deaths downstream of Lake Inverell.
  • Approximately 50-100 small to large fish including Murray Cod, Golden Perch, Eel Tailed
  • Catfish, Shrimp and Carp were observed deceased.

Hot and dry conditions are likely to pose ongoing threats to native fish over the remainder of the summer.

Community members are encouraged to report fish deaths to the Fishers Watch hotline on 1800 043 536.