Another coastal waterway in distress, hundreds of fish dead near Moruya

Fish kill at Meringo Lagoon, Will Douglas, Greens candidate for Bega. Photo: Gillianne Tedder

Another coastal waterway is falling victim to dry times with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) – Fisheries investigating the death of hundreds of fish at Meringo Lagoon/Lake south of Moruya.

The marine species washing up on the shoreline include Black Bream, Gudgeons, Mullet, Luderick and eels.

“The suspected cause is related to the very low water levels at Lake Meringo and the resulting poor water quality this causes,” a NSW DPI spokesperson says.

“At these low levels, coastal lakes are very susceptible to high water temps, algal growth and low dissolved oxygen.

“Poor water quality in our coastal lakes is likely to continue, without significant rainfall.”

The fish kill was witnessed on Wednesday by Greens MP David Shoebridge and Greens candidate for Bega Will Douglas.

“I’m distressed to see thousands of dead fish covering the banks of the lagoon. It’s the latest evidence that our coastal environment is under serious threat,” Mr Douglas says.

“We can’t let this become the new normal, we need to protect the buffers around our coastal lagoons and make a serious commitment to address climate change.”

This latest fish kill comes just a month after thousands of Snapper and Leatherjackets died in similar conditions at Wallagoot Lake in the Bournda Nature Reserve, north of Merimbula.

Fish kill at Meringo Lagoon, Will Douglas, Greens candidate or Bega. Photo: Gillianne Tedder.

Fish kill at Meringo Lagoon, Will Douglas, Greens candidate or Bega. Photo: Gillianne Tedder.

Fish kill at Meringo Lagoon, Will Douglas, Greens candidate or Bega. Photo: Gillianne Tedder.

Fish kill at Meringo Lagoon, Will Douglas, Greens candidate or Bega. Photo: Gillianne Tedder.

Fish kill at Meringo Lagoon, Will Douglas, Greens candidate or Bega. Photo: Gillianne Tedder

Meringo Lagoon/Lake south of Moruya. Photo: Google Maps.

Greens MP David Shoebridge says, “Seeing these thousands of dead fish really brings home the environmental damage we are doing to the planet and the scale of the challenge before us to deal with climate change.

“We only have a short time to act. If we don’t move to 100 per cent renewable energy and rapidly reduce our carbon footprint, this will keep happening.”

DPI Fisheries says they will continue to work with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Eurobodalla Shire Council on monitoring Lake Meringo. The community can also play its part and report any observations to the Fishers Watch hotline – 1800 043 536.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.