Hundreds of fish die in heat (From Stroud News and Journal)

Hundreds of fish die in heat

MORE than 100 fish died and many more were left gasping for breath in Stratford Park's lake due to a sudden drop in oxygen levels this week.

Alan Churchill, chairman of Stroud Angling Association told the SNJ how he made the grim discovery of dead roach, bream and eels which usually thrive in the park's lake.

"I first noticed that the fish were having problems and they were very distressed on Sunday, June 1" he said.

He recounted how the next day a lot of fish seemed to be gasping and fighting for air. Within days more than 100 were dead and floating on the lake's surface.

The council was called in by Mr Churchill to assess the situation and officials suggested the fire service should be summoned.

On Wednesday, June 4 officers from Stroud Fire Service started pumping thousands of gallons of water from the adjoining Painswick stream to oxygenate the water.

"The problem has been down to the lack of rain which has forced the oxygen level to drop dramatically. It took us all by surprise," explained Mr Churchill.

And he added: "This has all been very distressing. It couldn't have happened at a worse time as the fish are spawning at the moment. They have been chasing around the lake and have become exhausted - combined with no oxygen that has just been a disaster."

On Monday Mr Churchill said the situation looked as though it was improving although the fish were still looking quite agitated.

"We are still using a water-pump and it will be kept on until Wednesday. Several more fish died on Sunday but yesterday, Tuesday Mr Churchill said he was hopeful the worst was over.

"I checked the lake this morning and the situation seems to be calmer now. I am very, very relieved," he said.

Although the loss of fish is a common occurrence after a hot spell, Mr Churchill said this was the first time that such a large quantity had died.

"We normally lose a few but never this amount. This has been devastaing. Very distressing indeed.

"We don't like to lose fish as we are conservationists, " said Mr Chruchill. "We never kill the fish and we always put them back after catching them. Let's hope this is the end of it now."