Mystery as thousands of fish killed in unsolved London park incident

Environmental investigators have been left baffled after thousands of fish were found dead in a south London park.

Thames Water and the Environment Agency are investigating after dead European eels, sticklebacks, gudgeon and stone loach were discovered in the River Pool in Bromley.

Some large coarse fish, such as chub, roach and dace, were also killed.

The impacted stretch extends from Cator Park in Beckenham down to the confluence with the River Ravensbourne, covering approximately 3km downstream.

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Investigators are particularly concerned as the European eel is critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Historically, the eels were caught in the River Thames and used in traditional cockney cuisine such as eel pie and jellied eels.

The incident has had no impact on public drinking water supplies but the Environment Agency advised members of the public and their animals to avoid the affected stretch of the river, reports the BBC.

Officers are continuing to monitor the site, keeping an eye on water quality, collecting samples, and assessing the risk of any ongoing fish mortality

Meanwhile, the fisheries team is still assessing the extent of the impact on river wildlife.

Thames Water confirmed it is "urgently investigating the pollution incident".

However, investigators from the water company have currently been unable to determine a cause.

The company has deployed aeration at key locations along the River Pool, which stretches from Catford down to New Beckenham, to increase dissolved oxygen levels and help mitigate further impacts.

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A Thames Water spokesman said tests were currently being carried out and it "understands the concerns residents will have".

Beckenham Town and Copers Cope councillor, Steven Jefferies said: "Beckenham's rivers play a crucial role in supporting the biodiversity of our area, and bring great benefits to the health and wellbeing of residents living in our community."

"I and other Liberal Democrats on Bromley Council will continue pushing the relevant authorities to ensure our parks and local wildlife get the protection they deserve."

Councillor Jefferies was quick to praise the EA for reacting swiftly to the "tragic incident".

It comes after an investigation was launched after dead fish were found floating in Stoke Lake in Gosport, Hampshire with no evidence of pollution.

The Environment Agency said declining oxygen levels and algal growth caused by recent hot weather were the most likely causes, however they were yet to confirm this.

A spokesman for Gosport Borough Council's Environmental Health team said: "Environment Agency staff and colleagues in Environmental Health have visited the site and the cause is probably a lack of oxygen in the water.

"During periods of very hot weather, oxygen levels can fall at a time when fish need it most. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to fish deaths, as we have seen here."

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