lake in Beachmere. All of these fish recovered and were released alive back into the Caboolture River.
A HANDFUL of keen recreational fishers, OzFish Unlimited volunteers and members of the public have saved hundreds of broodstock sized sportfish from death during a fish kill in a lake at Beachmere north of Brisbane.
It has been reported that the kill started late on Friday 29th March and escalated dramatically over the weekend, resulting in the death of more than 50,000 fish of over 30 species, including iconic sportfish such as mangrove jack, estuary cod, milkfish and giant herring, as well as bream, tarwhine, flathead and whiting. It appears that the kill was due to lethally low oxygen levels which were caused by an algal bloom that may have been initiated by a period of poor flushing of the lake.
Fisho’s own Marine Biology Editor and local OzFish Unlimited program manager Dr Ben Diggles was on the scene and remarked “While its saddening to see the death of so many thousands of fish, through the efforts of Council workers and a handful of dedicated and passionate local fishos and Ozfish volunteers, many unbelieveable broodstock sized sportfish have been rescued and released back into the Caboolture River in the hope they will complete their life cycle and eventually be able to repopulate the (hopefully rehabilitated) lake with their progeny.”
By Monday afternoon eyewitnesses reported that the council had identified and rectified the problem, unblocked a pipe and re-established waterflow into the lake, but not before the loss of an estimated 99% of the fish.
OzFish Unlimited issued a press release in which they state their aim is to work with Moreton Bay Regional Council to develop a more permanent solution to repair and restore this vital (and obviously highly productive) fish nursery area and reconnect it back into natural wetlands downstream in order to improve the health of not only the fish in the lake, but also that of the wider Moreton Bay fishery.
