Environment Agency investigating mass death of fish reported on River Mersey

UPDATED: THE environment agency is continuing to investigate a significant number of fish deaths and fish in distress incidents on the River Mersey at Warrington, recently identified as the “most polluted” river in England.

Local resident Zoe Cohen spotted large numbers of dead and dying fish on the River Mersey near Warrington Rowing Club during a morning walk.

The Environment Agency have been on site taking water samples.

Zoe, who alerted Warrington Worldwide to raise the issue via twitter posted:“I’m on a bridge over river Mersey in #warrington & I’m seeing #fish swimming at the surface putting their mouths right out of the water. Is this normal behaviour for some species or sign of not enough #oxygen?
“There are more dead fish floating on the surface of #rivermersey every few steps I walk, as well as the many others appearing to gasp for air..This is horrifying, heartbreaking and terrifying.. Watching a river die in real time!”
She added: “It’s June! If this #fish #death and fish gasping is about the #rivermersey overheating then that is hard to put into words…
I’ve lived near this river at various points for most of my life…To see this death and suffering in front of me makes me so angry, heartbroken and terrified.

It follows on from recent reports from Wildlife and Countryside Link and The Rivers Trust that the River Mersey in Warrington is the “most polluted river” in England.(see below)

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We continue to investigate a significant number of fish deaths and fish in distress incidents across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.
“We believe that many of the problems we are seeing are as a result of low dissolved oxygen due to a combination of the high temperatures we have experienced recently, and the low atmospheric pressure caused by the thunderstorms. However, our officers are investigating at multiple locations to rule out any other causes such as pollution.
“It is important that members of the public who spot fish in distress report it to our 24/7 incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 so that our officers can investigate.”

Here is Environment Agency Manager Mark Easedale with an update on fish in distress incidents across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. pic.twitter.com/jfm99efS2P

— Env Agency NW (@EnvAgencyNW) June 14, 2023

Question for #naturetwitter pls
I'm on a bridge over river Mersey in #warrington & I'm seeing #fish swimming at the surface putting their mouths right out of the water
Is this normal behaviour for some species or sign of not enough #oxygen?
Seems to be 1 or 2 dead/dying fish too pic.twitter.com/xS1OG91Y71

— Zoe Cohen (@ZoeatShine) June 14, 2023