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‘Unprecedented number’ of fish deaths across Cheshire shows ‘appalling abuse’ of rivers
An “unprecendented number” of fish kill incidents across the country shows “appalling abuse” of rivers, according to the Angling Trust. Large numbers of dead fish have been have been reported across the region, including on the River Dane in Northwich, Vale Royal Locks on the River Weaver in Winsford, and on the River Mersey in Warrington.
The Mersey saw multiple incidents designated ‘Category 1’ by the Environment Agency, a category reserved for the most serious environmental incidents. Category 1 incidents involve large numbers of fish, often in the hundreds, or protected species.
The Environment Agency continues to aerate water across Cheshire. Canal and River Trust operatives were seen attempting to increase the oxygen level near the Anderton Boatlift in Northwich on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
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Environment Agency Manager for Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, Mark Easedale, described the “tragic sight of hundreds of dead fish on the River Mersey,” at Warrington Rowing Club on Wednesday, June 14.
“We believe this is a result of the high temperatures that we’ve been having for over a week now, and also storms over the weekend and into Monday. This has caused an oxygen crash in many of our water bodys, resulting in fish gasping or dying.
“We’re not relying solely on the fact that this is an atmospheric and a natural situation. We are out, taking samples, and investigating potential pollution.”
The Canal and River Trust said in a statement that low oxygen levels were being “exacerbated by silt-laden surface water run-off entering waterways as a result of the storms as well as any water treatment overspills entering the network.”
A statement released by the Angling Trust claims it is “complacent” to blame the fish kills solely on the hot weather. The statement reads: “These fish kills are yet more evidence of the appalling abuse our rivers face daily. As our climate changes, our rivers simply do not have the resilience to function in anything like a natural freshwater ecosystem.
“Through poor water quality, pollution and, in places, over abstractions and low flows, we have left our rivers unable to cope. The fish suffer because not one of our rivers is in a good chemical state and only 16 per cent are in a good biological state.
“Water companies continue to pollute, too often pouring raw sewage into them after some rain, adding to the pressure our rivers already face from the continuous chronic discharge of pollutants, such as phosphates, from some sewage treatment works and agricultural runoff.
“When the downpour comes, the situation is made worse as the pollutions from roads, hard surfaces and drains all wash into our rivers. A period of hot weather and thunderstorms is a tipping point, it is not the cause.”
Cllr Sam Naylor, Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester’s Places Scrutiny Committee, which spent a year looking at pollution and water quality in the region, said: “When it rains, you would be amazed by the stuff that flows into rivers. Agricultural fertilisers, animal manure, sewage when you get heavy rain and the drains can’t take it. We need to know a lot more about what goes into rivers.”
Mr Naylor, councillor for Northwich Witton, added: “There was a problem with sewage in the Dane well over fifty years ago. We’ve not progressed. We’re the fifth richest economy in the world, but a lot of the waterways across the country are not up to standard.
“It shows a complete lack of investment. All the water is in the hands of private companies and there’s not been any real heavy investment. And, at the same time, as Feargal Sharkey indicated recently, United Utilities has paid out billions in dividends to shareholders. We need to get a grip of it.”
United Utilities declined to comment, but the firm was keen to point out it has invested £20.5 billion in water and waste water improvements since privatisation. It added that storm overflows were necessary during heavy rain to stop water flooding in people’s homes, and have been reduced by 40% following a £250 million investment.
John Ellis, national fisheries and angling manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Canals are vital habitat for wildlife, with fish and other aquatic life forming a vital part of the canals’ ecology. The recent hot weather and heavy storms have caused an unprecedented number of fish in distress across the canal network, including at Barnton.
“We are doing all we can, as the nation’s canal charity, to support the regulators in England and Wales, including installing emergency aerators and pumps to put more oxygen into the water.”
Nigel Glasgow Environment Manager at the Environment Agency said: “We continue to investigate a significant number of fish deaths and fish in distress incidents across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.
“Our officers have deployed aeration in a number of locations to help improve dissolved oxygen levels. We are starting to see an improvement in a number of watercourses.
“It is important that members of the public who spot fish in distress report it to our 24/7 incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 so that our officers can investigate.”
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