Environment investigates deaths of brown trout

Environment protection and fisheries officers from Environment Agency Wales are investigating the deaths of brown trout in the River Syfynwy upstream of Llys y Fran reservoir in Pembrokeshire.

Reports of dead fish in the river were first received by the Agency late yesterday afternoon. Investigations were undertaken throughout the evening, during which time the believed source of the pollution was identified. Further investigations have been carried out today, and these suggest that hundreds of fish may have been killed. Speaking on behalf of the Agency's South West area Shane Evans, environment protection officer said: "We have taken water samples and dead fish and these are being sent to our laboratories in Llanelli for urgent analysis. It is too early for the Agency to determine if legal proceedings will follow from this incident but the samples taken may well be important evidence. The extent of the fish kill is still being assessed, although we do not currently believe that there has been any impact on fish in Llys y Fran reservoir itself".

The incident reinforces the Agency's warning that fish are very vulnerable at this time of the year when river levels are low, flows sluggish and temperatures warmer. Despite recent rainfall, river levels remain relatively low and any spillages or discharges of pollutants can severely reduce oxygen levels, effectively suffocating fish. The Agency is appealing to all operators of farms, industrial and commercial sites and holiday sites with their own sewage treatment facilities to take extra care over the summer months.

Members of the public can report pollution incidents, fish in distress, poaching, illegal tipping of waste and danger to the natural environment by contacting the Agency's emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.