The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) says that results from water sampling show that a “natural event” was the most likely cause of hundreds of fish dying in Wyee Bay on Lake Macquarie.
Locals at Mannering Park started noticing large numbers of dead fish of various sizes and species washed up on the shoreline on Wednesday, August 3.
Officers from the EPA, Central Coast Council and NSW Fisheries started collecting water and fish samples over the weekend from Friday, August 5 when the incident was reported.
An EPA spokesperson said that a toxic discharge was unlikely to have killed the fish, as evidenced by the latest water sample results.
Laboratory analysis of the fish samples is expected to be finalised by next week.
“The results of a direct toxicity test show that the water samples are not acutely toxic,” the EPA says.
“The Department of Planning and Environment labs tested for a full suite of metals and found levels below the Australia and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council marine water quality guidelines (where guideline limits are specified).
“Water results for pesticides were also measured at below the laboratory limit.
“Levels of pH and electrical conductivity are within normal ranges for a saline lake.
“The sampling results for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus are above the guideline values, which may indicate that disruption of sediment has occurred.
“These water results indicate that the most likely cause of the deaths was from a natural event, however the investigation is continuing.”
The EPA said that the dead fish of various species and sizes had greying around the gills which suggested possible oxygen depletion.
“A decrease in oxygen content in water can be a natural event that can cause rapid fish deaths,” an EPA spokesperson said.
Central Coast Council has removed the dead fish and disposed of them at a landfill that can lawfully receive the waste.
The investigation remains ongoing. If the community has any further information that may assist with the EPA’s investigation phone 131 555.
Detailed results from the water sampling are available on the EPA website at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/news/mannering-park-lake-macquarie-fish-kill
Sue Murray
What was the ‘natural event’ that caused the huge fish kill? Even if the EPA knew the truth wouldn’t be revealed. Its all about obfuscation & cover up. The EPA is an apologist for the authorities.