Heat and drought cause fish to die in Yass district

Recent high temperatures and low water levels have caused problems for trout in the Yass District with three separate discoveries of fish kill reported to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

DPI Manager Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said the fish kills occurred at a local trout farm at Sandy Creek, near Tumut, Tumbarumba Creek and the Goobragandra River.

“Fisheries officers have inspected the three sites and are completing reports. They say that while the losses are unfortunate they don’t believe that there is anything suspicious about them. 

“The combination of low water levels and high water temperatures of between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius caused the deaths because trout naturally live in cold streams,” Mr Tritton said

“The incident at Tumbarumba Creek was reported by a member of staff at the Tumbarumba Shire Council who said there were hundreds of dead fish of differing sizes in the creek.

“A third report was made by a member of the public who found a number of dead rainbow trout at the Goobragandra River. 

“There were no suspicious circumstances. Environmental conditions contributed to each incident.

“There have been no reports of fish kills affecting Australian native species which are far more tolerant to warmer weather conditions and high water temperatures than the introduced trout species,” Mr Tritton said.

Any sightings of fish kills should be reported to NSW DPI fisheries offices located at Yass (62 263867) and Tumut (69 479028).

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