Pictures: Second major fish kill in Parramatta River in as many months confuses and angers locals

A second major fish kill in Parramatta River in as many months has left locals confused and angered that more dead river life has washed ashore. See the pictures and video below.

A second major fish kill in the Parramatta River in as many months with dead fish and oysters washed ashore on Sunday around the Rhodes riverbank has horrified local residents.

Fishermen spotted the most recent kill on the weekend when they found more dead fish in the water and along the foreshore.

Jennifer Dixon, a long-time resident of Rhodes, was one of the many left horrified by the previous fish kill and was again left in a state of shock over the weekend.

The stench of the dead fish has been reported as strong and pungent along the Rhodes foreshore of the Parramatta River. Picture: Supplied

“Myself and my husband wandered down after hearing reports to see if there was anything down there,” Ms Dixon said.

“And sure enough there were all these dead fish on the banks and the water.

“We went down at around 8am today and there was a really horrible stink to the water and loads of dead fish and oysters everywhere, but the tide kept washing them back away.”

Residents were rocked last month when a large fish kill took place in the river.

A dead fish on the banks of the Parramatta River. Picture: Supplied

Between February 3 – 7 thousands of dead fish were spotted on the banks of the river, stretching from Rhodes in the east to Parramatta in the west.

The EPA investigated the matter and concluded that low dissolved oxygen levels in the river led to the fish kill due to an influx of leaves and organic debris.

Ms Dixon said the latest kill was another tragedy for the river’s wildlife.

Dead oysters found on the foreshore of the Parramatta River. Picture: Supplied

“It‘s inexplicable what is going on,” she said.

“It’s horrific to see it happen once but to happen twice in such a small amount of time, it’s just devastating.

“I’ve lived here for over 20 years and last month was the first large-scale fish kill I’ve seen, and for it to happen again so soon is terrible.”

Labor councillor on the City of Canada Bay Council, Andrew Ferguson, was left concerned about the first kill and remains so with these latest developments.

Failed sediment control practices around Rhodes, leading to an influx of sediment and debris contributed to the first kill on the river last month. Picture: Supplied

Sediment and debris being washed into the water system contributed to low dissolved oxygen levels in the Parramatta River. Picture: Supplied

“I’m concerned with the reports of a second fish kill,” Mr Ferguson said.

“The last fish kill was determined to have been caused by natural factors, and I look forward to the findings of the EPA in respect of the current event.

“However, it needs to be understood that the natural cause is partly ‘man made’ – state and local governments need to do more to improve storm water infrastructure along the river, sediment control and housekeeping in local areas to stop organic waste in our river system.”

The EPA is aware of fish deaths in Haslams Creek and the Rhodes and Wentworth Point areas.

“Earlier monitoring in the Parramatta River indicated a recent and significant drop in dissolved oxygen levels associated with continuing wet weather,” a spokeswoman said.

“Further monitoring is being conducted.”