AN investigation has been launched to find the cause of why hundreds of fish have been found dead along the River Mersey in Warrington.

Environment Agency manager Mark Easedale gave an update on the ‘tragic’ developing incident from outside Warrington Rowing Club, noting the sight of ‘hundreds of dead fish’ along the stretch of canal.

In a statement addressing the ongoing incident, he said that the change in temperatures and frequent thunderstorms have resulted in low atmospheric pressure.

Warrington Guardian: Resident Zoe Cohen witnessed the shocking sight as many of the dead fish had floated to the surface of the water Resident Zoe Cohen witnessed the shocking sight as many of the dead fish had floated to the surface of the water (Image: Newsquest)

However, the Environment Agency is looking into further possibilities of the cause of the widespread issue.

“We are not relying solely on the fact that this is an atmospheric and a natural situation,” Mark said.

“We are out taking samples, investigating pollution, and if any members of the public do see anything they feel suspicious, anything coming from a pipe or a side water course into a river, please report it to our emergency hot line.”

Meanwhile, the shocking sight of fish ‘gasping for breath’ extends wider than just the River Mersey, to other rivers around the north west.

“This really is a tragic sight, and this is not just isolated to the River Mersey. In Salford Quays we are seeing a similar situation,” Mark added.

“On the Trent and Mersey canal and also on Sutton Mill Dam in St Helens, as well as a number of private fisheries, the fish are struggling.”

Reports of the incident came through on Monday morning, when local resident Zoe Cohen was out walking across Howley Suspension Bridge when she noticed ‘what appeared to be fish coming to the surface of the water, looking like they were gasping for breath.’

“It was literally heaving with hundreds dead and dying fish, of all shapes and sizes," she said.

"I burst out crying, knowing that these fish most likely died of asphyxiation because of the reduced oxygen levels when water heats up. 

“They probably literally could not breathe and suffocated. No wild animal should have to suffer that.”

 

A spokesman for the Environment Agency provided a statement on Monday which said: “We continue to investigate a significant number of fish deaths and fish in distress incidents across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. 

“We believe that many of the problems we are seeing are as a result of low dissolved oxygen due to a combination of the high temperatures we have experienced recently, and the low atmospheric pressure caused by the thunderstorms.

"However, our officers are investigating at multiple locations to rule out any other causes such as pollution. 

“It is important that members of the public who spot fish in distress report it to our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 so that our officers can investigate.”