Temperatures in the far west of New South Wales are expected to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius this weekend, which has sparked concerns of further ecological harm to the river system. Millions of dead fish are already clogging the waterways of the lower Darling-Baaka River near Menindee due to low dissolved oxygen levels caused by recent floods and hot weather. The current fish die-off is predicted to exceed the 2019 event, where one million fish died due to a 40-kilometer algal bloom. Urgent action is needed to remove the dead fish and prevent an ecological disaster. Politicians are calling for the removal of the dead fish, and suggestions have been made to dispose of the fish using methods from the National Carp Control Program. The situation is a catastrophe, and there is a need for urgent action to prevent further harm to the environment.
Urgent Removal of Dead Fish Needed in Menindee
Millions of dead fish are clogging the waterways of the lower Darling-Baaka River near Menindee, in the far west of New South Wales. This has prompted politicians to call for their urgent removal to prevent further ecological disaster.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment stated that recent floods and hot weather led to extremely low dissolved oxygen levels in the river, causing the die-off of mostly bony herring earlier this week. The recent extreme temperatures have further worsened the situation and will likely cause more fish to die in the coming days.
Locals are complaining of a terrible smell from the rotting fish and videos on social media show thick layers of fish floating on the water. The river has turned a shade of bright green in some sections, exacerbating concerns.
The federal opposition spokeswoman for Water, Perin Davey, suggests disposing of the fish through methods from the National Carp Control Program, which was created after six years of research into Carp biocontrol strategies. She believes this is an opportunity to test the clean-up options that scientists have previously considered.
Senator Davey said, “The current event is too urgent to go back to the drawing board. We need urgent action.”
The NSW Greens water spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann calls for the fish to be removed as soon as possible before they decompose and cause an ecological disaster. She believes the NSW and federal governments should work together to prevent further harm to the system and the quality of the water.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment assured the public that they would continue to monitor the situation closely and keep the community informed. However, politicians believe that urgent action is required to prevent further harm to the environment.
Temperatures to Reach 40 Degrees in Far West of NSW This Weekend
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts temperatures in the far west of New South Wales to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius this weekend, with unseasonal autumn heat hitting much of the east coast of Australia.
A 40-kilometre algal bloom was responsible for the death of one million fish in the same part of the river in 2019. The event occurred during high temperatures and drought conditions.
This week’s fish die-off is anticipated to surpass the 2019 event, which highlights the urgent need for action to prevent further harm to the river system.
- AAP
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