Environmental disaster in New Zealand: thousands of eels died for an unknown reason
Environmental organization Southland is investigating the mass death of eels in the Low Burn River near Mataura in New Zealand. Since last Thursday, residents have been finding thousands of dead fish along a 10-kilometer stretch of the river.
Environmental Compliance Manager Donna Ferguson says the number of dead eels is increasing daily. According to News Hub, Southland employees are working around the clock to find out the cause of the environmental disaster.
Scientists communicate with locals, collect water samples, and remove dead eels from the river.
"The team has spent a significant amount of time walking the waterways, talking to landowners, and property owners in the area. We're just looking for any causes of death that we can find," Ferguson said.
Currently, environmentalists believe that the cause of the eels' deaths was water pollution, not infection.
Final confirmation of the cause may take some time, as the results of the water tests will be ready only seven days after the investigation begins.
According to Ferguson, the source of the pollution could be anything, as there are livestock farms, factories, and a meat processing plant near the river.
"Southland is urging people not to come into contact with the water of the Low Burn River and to report any new eel deaths.
As previously reported by TravelWise, cameras will be installed on New Zealand fishing vessels, allowing the country to better control whether fishermen hunt mammals.
