Latest news with #fishdeaths
Times
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Times
Warm rivers passing 20C has been ruinous for fish
The UK's hottest and driest spring on record has overheated rivers around the country, leading to concentrated water pollution, low flows and more fish deaths, according to the Angling Trust. River temperatures in England and Wales from March 20 to June 21 were the hottest since the trust's major citizen science project to monitor water quality started three years ago. In 2025 there have been 87 confirmed incidents of fish kills — meaning a sudden spate of localised deaths — which is higher than at this stage in any of the past three years. While those include deaths caused by natural factors, 36 were due to low flows which concentrate pollution from farms and sewage — higher than at this point in 2023 and 2024. Fish rescues have already been needed on the River Teme in Wales and River Redlake in Shropshire.
Malay Mail
28-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Thousands of dead tilapia found floating in Melaka River, pollution probe launched
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — More than two tonnes of dead freshwater tilapia have been found floating in the Melaka River near Taman Rumpun Bahagia Bachang since Thursday, according to authorities. The Melaka Water Regulatory Body (BKSA), in a statement yesterday, said investigations are under way to determine the cause of the mass fish deaths. The probe includes allegations that the incident may have been triggered by an oil spill or chemical odour, based on complaints received on Thursday night. 'Investigations to trace the source of the pollution are actively being carried out from the Batu Hampar area through nearby industrial zones upstream along the Melaka River. 'Emergency clean-up operations have also been activated, in collaboration with the Melaka River and Coastal Development Corporation (PPSPM),' BKSA said. BKSA said it views the incident seriously and urged the public to report any suspected discharge of pollutants by individuals or companies. 'If we are able to identify those responsible, legal action will be taken under the Melaka State Water Resources Enactment. 'Stern action, including compounds, fines or prosecution, may be taken for offences involving pollution of the state's water sources,' it said. PPSPM, in a separate statement, said 30 personnel were deployed to the site to remove the fish carcasses. As of midnight yesterday, about 2,000kg of dead fish had been collected, with clean-up work still ongoing. 'The clean-up is being prioritised as the Melaka River is home to the Melaka River Cruise tourism service,' it added. Similar incidents have reportedly occurred almost annually, believed to be due to the mixing of saltwater and freshwater near sluice gates, which can lead to fish deaths.
Malay Mail
13-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Thousands of dead fish found in Perak; Bagan Datuk belacan factory under probe
IPOH, June 13 — The Perak Department of Environment (DOE) has seized a boiler from a belacan (shrimp paste) processing factory, following the discovery of thousands of dead fish floating in drains in Kampung Sungai Payung and Kampung Sungai Tiang Baroh, Bagan Datuk, on June 10. Perak Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the factory was believed to have discharged untreated water into nearby drains and rivers. 'Further checks inside the factory found traces of reddish stains on the floor beneath the boiler, which is used to produce steam for heating and cooking shrimp before it is processed into belacan. 'For investigation purposes, the boiler has been seized as it is believed to be the source of the reddish, untreated wastewater discharged into the drain, which resulted in the death of the fish,' he said in a statement to Bernama yesterday. Earlier, the Perak DOE, in a statement, said an investigation into the incident was underway following a public complaint received at 12.50 pm. Teh said the case was being investigated under Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act (Amendment) 2024. Meanwhile, he said the Perak DOE did not rule out the possibility that the mass fish deaths were also due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, which ranged from 0.13 to 0.78 milligrams per litre (mg/L), compared to the normal level of around 6.5 mg/L and above. 'The DOE will also obtain information on the cause of the fish deaths based on the analysis of fish samples taken by the Fisheries Department for confirmation,' he said. — Bernama
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sad discovery at popular Aussie river sparks concern amid 'disturbing' trend
"Disturbed" locals have reported that hundreds — and possibly thousands — of small dead fish are washing up ashore along a popular Australian waterway in the country's south. Numerous dead fish have been spotted floating along the River Derwent in Tasmania over the weekend, sparking an investigation by environmental authorities. The fish, believed to be pilchards or sardines, were seen strewn along the water and beaches between Crayfish Point in Taroona and Long Beach in Sandy Bay on Saturday. The sight alarmed local residents, many of whom shared their concern on social media. Initial testing by Biosecurity Tasmania and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) detected the presence of pilchard orthomyxovirus (POMV) — a virus known to naturally occur in several fish species found in Tasmanian waters — in samples collected over the weekend, Pulse Tasmania reported. The virus belongs to the same broader family as influenza but only infects aquatic species, with Atlantic salmon and Australian pilchards being particularly vulnerable. While it often exists in the environment without causing major issues, outbreaks can occur when fish are stressed due to environmental factors like warm water temperatures, low oxygen levels, or handling. These outbreaks can lead to symptoms such as lethargy, unusual swimming behaviour, reduced appetite, and, in severe cases, large-scale fish deaths. In recent months, mass fish deaths have been reported along Australia's coast. In March 2025, thousands of juvenile leatherjacket fish washed up on beaches stretching over 300 kilometres from Stanwell Park to Bermagui in New South Wales. Similarly, in South-East Queensland, reports emerged of leatherjacket fish washing ashore, with environmental factors such as changes in water temperature, pollution, or natural events like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred potentially contributing to the strandings. In South Australia, a toxic algae outbreak was responsible for the deaths of numerous marine life. Among them were different species of fish, octopus and cockles (also known as pipis). The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania confirmed that tests for illnesses typically associated with farmed salmon, including Tasmanian rickettsia-like organism (TRLO) and P. salmonis, returned negative results. Locals 'not happy' as mysterious 'foul-smelling chunks' wash up Senator slammed for car park claim after salmon disease outbreak 'Disgusting' photos of popular Aussie food spark furious debate While the current fish kill appears to be localised, further testing is now underway to determine whether other contributing factors may be involved. Officials are also monitoring nearby marine environments to assess the potential impact on other species. Environmental scientists said it's still unclear whether the event was an isolated incident or could indicate deeper ecological issues within the Derwent Estuary. In early 2025, Tasmania experienced a significant environmental crisis as large numbers of dead salmon and oily fish waste began washing up on beaches in the state's southeast, including Verona Sands and Bruny Island. These incidents were linked to a mass mortality event in nearby salmon farms, where over 5,500 tonnes of fish died in February alone—approximately six per cent of the industry's annual production. The primary cause of the die-off was an outbreak of Piscirickettsia salmonis, a bacterial infection exacerbated by rising water temperatures. As the infected fish decomposed, congealed fish oil and fatty, "foul-smelling" deposits formed, which then drifted ashore. Preliminary testing by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed that these greasy "chunks" were composed of fish oil mixed with sand. Despite the decline in fish deaths, the incident has raised ongoing concerns about the sustainability and environmental impact of salmon farming in Tasmania. Calls for increased transparency and stricter oversight continue as the community seeks to prevent similar events in the future. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Scientists suspect lethal virus behind countless fish washing up dead in Lake Huron
Scientists suspect a deadly virus is behind an unusually large number of fish deaths in Lake Huron this spring, where thousands of carcasses have been washing up on Ontario beaches and shorelines from Ipperwash to the Bruce Peninsula. People living in coastal communities have been posting pictures of the dead fish on social media, showing pale and ghostly carcasses, some of them with bloody lesions, half-buried in sand on beaches, or floating among the debris at marinas and docks along the coast. While the bulk of the deaths are gizzard shad, a species known for large natural seasonal die-offs, there are also dead rainbow smelt, rainbow trout, yellow perch, log perch, northern pike, longnose gar, largemouth bass and even mudpuppies — a species of salamander that isn't known for die-offs associated with temperature changes in the spring. Federal authorities said the deaths are likely natural and part of a routine spring die-off, but biologists who study Great Lakes marine life said the sheer volume of dead fish and the breadth of species affected raises the alarm over a possible outbreak of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. 'Nasty fish disease' "[This is] a really nasty fish disease," said Jennifer Powell, a University of Toronto PhD candidate who studies endangered fish on the Ausable River near Grand Bend. "It can wipe out a huge number of fish." First reported in Lake Ontario in 2005, VHS has since spread to Lake Huron, including Georgian Bay, Lake Erie and Lake Simcoe. While the virus is deadly to fish, it cannot infect humans or other mammals, even if they eat fish infected by the virus. Powell said concerned citizens have been sending her pictures of dead fish since late April and the reason she suspects VHS is behind the fish die-offs is because many of the images show fish, particularly gizzard shad, that are bleeding on their sides and mouths. "It's consistent with some of the hemorrhages that can be seen with VHS. These spots don't show up all the time but they can be a sign," Powell said. "Most of the residents I've spoken to in the Lambton Shores area say they've never seen it this bad," she said. "The sheer volume of it this year is quite unusual." 'Perceived lack of action' by governments What's also unusual, according to scientists, has been the response to the outbreak from provincial and federal governments, which have yet to confirm whether VHS is responsible for the unusual number of dead fish this spring in coastal communities on Lake Huron. "I know that VHS is what is known as an internationally reportable disease, that is, if it occurs in your country, you have an obligation to report it to an international agency," said Nick Mandrak, a professor of biology at the University of Toronto who studies fish conservation. Mandrak, who lives in Grand Bend, Ont., said provincial and federal governments have an obligation, to not only test for and report the disease, but also to inform the public, who are left with little information about the cause of an unusual number of dead fish that have been washing ashore since late April. "There's quite a few concerned members of the community here," Mandrak said. "They're concerned for, 'is this a human health issue? Can my dog be impacted by this if they were on the beach and played with dead fishes? Is it a water quality issue?' These are questions people are concerned about. "The perceived lack of action is only magnifying these concerns." A spokesperson from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency could not immediately respond for a request for comment Wednesday. In an email, a spokesperson from Fisheries and Oceans Canada said it was notified of a fish kill event on Lake Huron near Kincardine on April 26. "DFO reviewed the available information and at this time we believe the incident is due to natural causes and consistent with other fish kill events that routinely occur during the spring in Ontario." The Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks said in an email Monday to CBC News that it "has not had any reports of spills or observations of smells or water conditions (ie rainbow sheens, unusal cloudiness or colour, etc)."
