Dead Fish
-
UGLYSTICK9
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:25 am
-
Wall-I-Guy
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 4930
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:06 am
- Location: Kanata,Ontario
Well I too am on the waterfront just slightly in from you Flipper. My son and I picked about a 3 pound cat off the beach 2 days ago, never thought anything of it until after this news broke yesterday.
On CJOH they also mentioned some have been found in Constance Bay. On species verified so far i know of are mostly Cats but there has been one Sturgeon. Related? Maybe not, could be coincidence.
Certainly hope it isn't something too serious. MNR and the City are on it big time for obvious reasons. Samples have been sent to A southern Ontario University, hopefully know more by weeks end..
On CJOH they also mentioned some have been found in Constance Bay. On species verified so far i know of are mostly Cats but there has been one Sturgeon. Related? Maybe not, could be coincidence.
Certainly hope it isn't something too serious. MNR and the City are on it big time for obvious reasons. Samples have been sent to A southern Ontario University, hopefully know more by weeks end..
HI ALL
I just found some dead cats and perch here at work this morning...........at hull power plant........
and there was a almost but not dead carp.....whitish color,,,,shes dying,,,,,,,,,,to...
what the hells is going on.........
hope we will have some answer soon........
joco.............................realy consern
I just found some dead cats and perch here at work this morning...........at hull power plant........
and there was a almost but not dead carp.....whitish color,,,,shes dying,,,,,,,,,,to...
what the hells is going on.........
hope we will have some answer soon........
joco.............................realy consern
hi all
i just went to guive one more inspection on the dam here in hull.........
i saw full cats.................NOT DEAD..BUT BIG WHITE SPOTS ON THEM,,,,,,,,,they are swiming here very slowly,,,,,,,,,,like they are very tired....some almost 1/2 white.......
.
i never see fish gething white before they die........
i dont like this..........we need info..........right now..
people are still eathing some cats........ ...there was some people last night that did kept the cats to eat.
the mnr and all other fieldmshould warn people not to eat the fish before we no whats is wrong.
they dont say.........anaught to us.......
joco
i just went to guive one more inspection on the dam here in hull.........
i saw full cats.................NOT DEAD..BUT BIG WHITE SPOTS ON THEM,,,,,,,,,they are swiming here very slowly,,,,,,,,,,like they are very tired....some almost 1/2 white.......
.i never see fish gething white before they die........
i dont like this..........we need info..........right now..
people are still eathing some cats........
...there was some people last night that did kept the cats to eat.the mnr and all other fieldmshould warn people not to eat the fish before we no whats is wrong.
they dont say.........anaught to us.......
joco
hi all
i just went to guive one more inspection on the dam here in hull.........
i saw full cats.................NOT DEAD..BUT BIG WHITE SPOTS ON THEM,,,,,,,,,they are swiming here very slowly,,,,,,,,,,like they are very tired....some almost 1/2 white....... .
i never see fish gething white before they die........
i dont like this..........we need info..........right now..
people are still eathing some cats........ ...there was some people last night that did kept the cats to eat.
the mnr and all other fieldmshould warn people not to eat the fish before we no whats is wrong.
they dont say.........anaught to us.......
joco
i just went to guive one more inspection on the dam here in hull.........
i saw full cats.................NOT DEAD..BUT BIG WHITE SPOTS ON THEM,,,,,,,,,they are swiming here very slowly,,,,,,,,,,like they are very tired....some almost 1/2 white.......
.i never see fish gething white before they die........
i dont like this..........we need info..........right now..
people are still eathing some cats........
...there was some people last night that did kept the cats to eat.the mnr and all other fieldmshould warn people not to eat the fish before we no whats is wrong.
they dont say.........anaught to us.......
joco
Hi joco, maybe a call to the MNR hotline is needed to let them know it is down this far
The new toll-free TIPS-MNR reporting line, 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667), provides a direct line for the public to report resource violations to the ministry 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in Ontario.
The new toll-free TIPS-MNR reporting line, 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667), provides a direct line for the public to report resource violations to the ministry 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in Ontario.
Just came accross this on the Ottawa river Keeper website
Dead Fish Mystery
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Updated Information
The Ministry of Natural Resources in Pembroke have confirmed that the one dead catfish fish sent to the laboratory for testing has tested positive for a bacterial infection called Columnaris. The tested fish had high concentrations of Flexibacter columnaris. Bacteria such as columnaris are found in all natural waters and do not affect healthy fish. However, when fish become stressed, they are much more susceptible to diseases. Common stressors include unfavourable water quality conditions such as high levels of ammonia, unfavorable temperatures, or toxins. Columnaris can enter the fish through the gills, mouth, or via small wounds on the skin. The disease is highly contagious and may be spread through close populations.
PLEASE NOTE: These are very preliminary results based on one specimen only! The MNR will be doing some live sampling today.
PRECAUTIONS: For shoreline residents who are finding dead fish, please take caution when handling the dead fish. Ideally, handle the fish with gloves and bury them or put them in garbage bags for disposal.
RIVERKEEPER’S NOTES FROM THE RIVER: I was on the river yesterday with a biologist from the MNR, investigating the reach of the river from Arnprior to Chats Dam. The dead fish we found were primarily catfish, each one of them looking like they had been dead for many days. In the shallows I noticed quite a bit of algae growth, indicative of nutrients – particularly noticeable at the mouth of the Mississipi River.
It is really great to have the fisheries biologists from the MNR investigating this fish kill. These men and women know the river and its fish population better than most and they too work hard to protect the ecological health of the river.
RIVERKEEPER’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I believe this fish kill is a result of a combination of factors. Late July and early August were extremely hot days and water temperatures in the shallows soared. Rain events over the week kept soil conditions fairly saturated. On the evening of August 2nd there was a big storm up the valley and rainfall was extremely intense (large amounts fell in a short time period). As a result of the intense rain, there were several sewage spills into the river as well as stormwater runoff. Given that the ground was already fairly saturated (wet), most of this rainfall would have run right off fields, roads, etc. and into the river. The runoff into the river would give the river a blast of nutrients. Breaking down or decomposing these nutrients uses oxygen. Oxygen may have already been low given the high temperatures. Add a dam release of August 6th to this complicated puzzle, perhaps futher affecting oxygen levels.
MORAL of the STORY: Our actions have direct impacts on the aquatic life in the river. While some conditions are difficult to control (rain events), other factors we can control. The input of nutrients into the river is something we can control. Better wastewater treatment plants with the ability to handle volumes from intense storm events, vegetated buffer strips along the length of the river to reduce the nutrient runoff during rain events, reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides that we know will end of in the river eventually, maintain your septic systems and pump them every two years. Every little bit helps.
Dead Fish Mystery
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Updated Information
The Ministry of Natural Resources in Pembroke have confirmed that the one dead catfish fish sent to the laboratory for testing has tested positive for a bacterial infection called Columnaris. The tested fish had high concentrations of Flexibacter columnaris. Bacteria such as columnaris are found in all natural waters and do not affect healthy fish. However, when fish become stressed, they are much more susceptible to diseases. Common stressors include unfavourable water quality conditions such as high levels of ammonia, unfavorable temperatures, or toxins. Columnaris can enter the fish through the gills, mouth, or via small wounds on the skin. The disease is highly contagious and may be spread through close populations.
PLEASE NOTE: These are very preliminary results based on one specimen only! The MNR will be doing some live sampling today.
PRECAUTIONS: For shoreline residents who are finding dead fish, please take caution when handling the dead fish. Ideally, handle the fish with gloves and bury them or put them in garbage bags for disposal.
RIVERKEEPER’S NOTES FROM THE RIVER: I was on the river yesterday with a biologist from the MNR, investigating the reach of the river from Arnprior to Chats Dam. The dead fish we found were primarily catfish, each one of them looking like they had been dead for many days. In the shallows I noticed quite a bit of algae growth, indicative of nutrients – particularly noticeable at the mouth of the Mississipi River.
It is really great to have the fisheries biologists from the MNR investigating this fish kill. These men and women know the river and its fish population better than most and they too work hard to protect the ecological health of the river.
RIVERKEEPER’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I believe this fish kill is a result of a combination of factors. Late July and early August were extremely hot days and water temperatures in the shallows soared. Rain events over the week kept soil conditions fairly saturated. On the evening of August 2nd there was a big storm up the valley and rainfall was extremely intense (large amounts fell in a short time period). As a result of the intense rain, there were several sewage spills into the river as well as stormwater runoff. Given that the ground was already fairly saturated (wet), most of this rainfall would have run right off fields, roads, etc. and into the river. The runoff into the river would give the river a blast of nutrients. Breaking down or decomposing these nutrients uses oxygen. Oxygen may have already been low given the high temperatures. Add a dam release of August 6th to this complicated puzzle, perhaps futher affecting oxygen levels.
MORAL of the STORY: Our actions have direct impacts on the aquatic life in the river. While some conditions are difficult to control (rain events), other factors we can control. The input of nutrients into the river is something we can control. Better wastewater treatment plants with the ability to handle volumes from intense storm events, vegetated buffer strips along the length of the river to reduce the nutrient runoff during rain events, reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides that we know will end of in the river eventually, maintain your septic systems and pump them every two years. Every little bit helps.