'Thousands' of dead fish spotted in Salford Quays
13.06.2023 - 12:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
An investigation has been launched after ‘thousands’ of dead fish were spotted in Salford Quays last night (June 12).
Multiple eyewitnesses say they witnessed a ‘huge fish kill’ yesterday evening, with videos showing deceased aquatic animals in the water. Now, the authorities have confirmed an investigation is underway.
One expert on rivers, Prof Jamie Woodward, tweeted that he believed the the deaths were due to a ‘huge flush of sewage combined with failure of aeration system’. However, United Utilities have ruled out sewage as a possible cause.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link.
The M.E.N. understands investigations from the water company’s officers have ruled out sewage as a cause, as the firm says it has ‘no assets that discharge directly into the Quays’.
A spokesperson added that ‘we have not discharged up or downstream’ of the area affected. The aeration system, which adds oxygen to the water, is managed by Peel and Salford City Council.
Now, an Environment Agency spokesperson has named a possible cause of the devastation. They said: “We have been responding to reports of fish in distress at Salford Quays from concerned members of the public. We take swift action to protect people and the environment, and our officers were on site investigating yesterday.
“We believe that this is a natural event caused by high temperatures and low atmospheric pressure as a result of thunderstorms, causing low dissolved oxygen levels. Members of the public who spot fish in distress should report this to our 24/7 incident hotline 0800 80 70 60.”
Salford City Council and Peel Ports have been contacted for comment.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT: