TESTING of dead barramundi from a fish kill in Queensland’s Gladstone Harbour has revealed the identity of a disease affecting the fish, but not the cause.
As Fisho reported last week the harbour’s pollution is believed to have been caused by dredging works releasing contaminants in to the waterway.
On ABC radio over the weekend, management involved in the construction of a liquefied natural gas plant in Gladstone Harbour refuted claims dredging was responsible for the widespread contaminants plume which has indefinitely closed fishing in the harbour.
Red-spot disease and another parasite have been identified as affecting the tested fish from around Gladstone Harbour.
The Gladstone Observer reports Fisheries Queensland has said red-spot disease was endemic and seen in Queensland waters occasionally.
“In Queensland, red-spot disease usually occurs either during winter months when the immunity of the fish is lower, or following the first heavy rainfall of the wet season,” said Dr John Robertson of Fisheries Queensland.
“It is typically caused by a fungus and often occurs in fish when they are under stress.”
He said there was still no clear answer as to what was causing the current outbreak of red-spot disease. The separate parasite remains unexplained.
Testing is being done on new samples of other fish species, pawns and mud crabs.
Those results are not expected for several weeks.
The Observer also reports that 15 people have displayed side effects caused by contact with diseased fish.
