19/04/2005 - Environment
Agency officers were out in force today after
hundreds of salmon and sea trout were killed
by pollution on Cornwall’s River Fowey.
At least 8 kms of the Fowey – one of the
region’s top salmon rivers – have been hit
by the pollution leaving the river littered
with dead fish. The Environment Agency immediately
sent teams of environment officers to investigate
after being alerted by an angler early this
morning.
Worst affected is the mid-reach of the Fowey
between Golitha Falls and Trago Mills. Environment
Agency officers have taken samples and are
trying to trace the source of the pollution.
As a precaution the Agency has alerted South
West Water and environmental health officers
at Fowey and Restormel Councils to safeguard
abstracted water supplies and local shellfisheries.
Local angling groups and the police have also
been notified.
Levels of dissolved oxygen remain high indicating
the pollutant is likely to be a biocide or
pesticide. The dead fish are mainly juvenile
salmon and sea trout, but the casualties also
include adult salmon up to four pounds. A
number of eels are also reported to have died.
Samples of dead fish have been sent to an
Environment Agency laboratory for analysis.
Biological samples will also be taken over
the coming days as part of the investigation.
Environment Agency officers are concentrating
their search for the mystery pollutant on
the upper reaches of the affected stretch
of river.
"This is a significant fish kill on
one of our most important salmon rivers and
is being treated very seriously by the Environment
Agency. We have deployed a number of officers
to examine various sections of the river in
a bid to identify the pollutant and pinpoint
the source," said Geoff Boyd for the
Environment Agency.
The importance of the River Fowey as a salmon
and sea trout fishery is reflected by the
fact it is one of very few rivers in the South
West with a healthy population of salmon that
are returning each year to spawn in sufficient
numbers to maintain a healthy stock of fish.
The fishery also brings economic benefits
to a rural economy by attracting visiting
anglers and locals alike who spend money in
the area.
