Fish at Blackburn Lake left gasping for air at water’s surface

HEAVY rainfall is likely responsible for the distressing sight of fish appearing to struggle to breathe at Blackburn Lake.

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HEAVY rainfall is likely responsible for the distressing sight of fish gasping for air at a Whitehorse lake.

A passer-by alerted the Whitehorse Leader to a number of carp and goldfish gasping at the water’s surface at Blackburn Lake on Wednesday, March 28.

Fish were left gasping for air at Blackburn Lake.

Environment Protection Authority (EPA) metro region acting manager Jeremy Settle said officers visited the lake that day and water meter readings confirmed a very low dissolved oxygen level.

Aquatic organisms such as fish need dissolved oxygen to respire, much like humans need air to breathe.

“Low dissolved oxygen level events can occur naturally, and can result from increased decomposition of organic matter that is washed into water bodies during rainfall events,” Mr Settle said.

“The water did not have any odour, but was slightly discoloured.”

When the EPA visited the lake they didn’t find any dead fish.

Whitehorse Council officers visited the lake while Melbourne Water has been notified as the responsible authority for the lake.

According to the EPA, deaths of large numbers of fish in Victorian waterways can occur due to environmental stresses such as low flow conditions, elevated water temperature or pollution.

The organisation has previously flagged extremely dry seasonal conditions as a cause for fish deaths in Victoria.

Members of the public are urged to contact the EPA’s pollution hotline on 1300 372 842 if they see large numbers of fish, crustaceans and/or eels that appear to be dead or struggling.

Public reports must include the location and time of the incident, the condition of the waterway and the approximate number of affected fish.

Photographs of incidents are encouraged.