Arrowe Park Lake fish killed by mystery pollution

Sep 30 2009 Birkenhead News

INVESTIGATIONS are underway following the death of “thousands of fish”, anglers estimate, from a mystery source of pollution in Arrowe Park lake.

The Environment Agency (EA) installed oxygen pumps at the site on Thursday after receiving upwards of 40 calls from concerned people who witnessed fish gasping for air, and floating dead on the surface.

Those pumps were due to be removed yesterday, but significant damage has been done.

Malcolm Gillies, chairman of the Association of Wirral Angling Clubs, said: “We’ve never had a case as bad as this.

“We’ve lost prime fish, some will be more than ten years old and it takes a long time to bring back to full potential.”

Carp, bream, pike and tench have all been discovered, among “thousands” of others, Mr Gillies estimates.

At present the source is unknown, but speculation points to a possible over-run of potent slurry from a farmer’s field.

EA fisheries technical specialist, Kevin Nash said: “We will be carrying out a full investigation to identify the source of the pollution.”