Brisbane River Fish Kill

[Member]

Here is some video showing dead catfish in the Brisbane River, video shot at Harpeng Rd.

Video shows dead catfish.

Claims being bantied around the local gossip vine from a one local are that these fish were killed and dumped by those competing in the kayak fishing event last weekend.

EPA, SEQWater and Somerset Regional Council were aware of this last thursday, the fishing comp started on Saturday, and catfish were not targeted or caught in the event.

And the catfish are being found dead both upstream of Harpeng Road and well downstream to Kholo. How a fish can float against the current is beyond reckoning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADR3CpqgJc

[Member]

Pitiful excuse for a man.  He seems to have bluffed the Council though.

[Member]

Any ideas as to why it is only the catfish dying?

[Member]

High oxygen levels look like the cause.  Similar to what happened in the Boyne River.

Expect some heavy Karma to come from this.  SEQWater can't put their boats in at Harpeng Road, and They and the Council may be calling for help to clean up the river. 

[Member]

Just checked that a 50ltr nally bin fits in the back of the Quest 11.

Am available after lunch tomorrow to assist rounding up dead fish if need be.

[Member]

Somerset Regional Council contacted me this afternoon asking for volunteers to assist with river cleanup. If anyone is able to assist with removing the hundreds of dead forties from the river where SEQWater, council and EPA cannot get their boats to.

You can register as a volunteer by calling Somerset Regional Council by calling their switch board. You will be covered under council insurance.

[Member]

Can help out friday after lunchtime and saturday morning Fitz.Might give the Scrambler a swim.
Will call Somerset council tomorrow and register.

[Member]

If this was a few years ago I could have launched my boat at Harpeng Road and helped with the cleanup.  Now that the local Council have given the property over to the local to fence off that is no longer possible.  I guess he'll have to tidy up those fish that are in his pump hole that he says the kayakers put there.

[Member]

Thanks for the info Dale

Will rind Somerset councill this morning.

Have been granted "community" leave for this afternoon from my boss to assist.

[Member]

Hi,

I just read this about the Fish Kill in Brisbane River, I know, I'm late. Did anyone notice if any lungfish was amongst the kill? If so, how many and whereabouts?

Cheers, Bondy

[Member]

Hi,

I just read this about the Fish Kill in Brisbane River, I know, I'm late. Did anyone notice if any lungfish was amongst the kill? If so, how many and whereabouts?

Cheers, Bondy

G'Day Bondy,

The fish kill was fairly species specific, 99% of dead fish found were fork-tailed catfish (Arius Graffei) . We did not note any dead lungfish during the cleanup.

All good now it appears. Took the kids swimming yesterday at Twin Bridges; not a dead fish to be seen.

I noted a couple of quite fat Brahminy Kites perched up in a gum tree....

[Member]

Should have taken a few and chucked them above the wall, just in case it was a forkie specific disease that killed them!      

[Member]

Thanks Sweetwater,

Forked tail catfish hey, hmmm, mind boggles.

I have read a post where someone stated could be excess oxygen in the water, if that was the case I would have thought other fish would also succumb. Catfish are a hardy fish but not as devestating as the mongrel carp.

Good to know the problem has fixed itself, birds of prey that are fat is usually a good indicator of the health of that area.

Cheers, Bondy

[Member]

It turned out to be a fungal infection & parasite.

[Member]

Sweetwater,

Many thanks for that, that makes sense, I'd thought it would have to be something more specific that was causing the forktail catfish to curl over.

Cheers, Bondy