29/4/2002

Environment Agency Wales is investigating a serious pollution incident on a tributary of the River Dee which has killed thousands of young fish at its hatchery at Maerdy, Corwen.

Investigations have revealed that the pollution originated upstream of the hatchery and contaminated the hatchery’s water supply from the Afon Ceirw, a tributary of the Dee. There is no evidence of pollution of the main river Dee and no dead fish have been found in the river.

Salmon are reared in tanks at the hatchery to replenish stocks in the Dee catchment. Some fish have been saved but initial estimates suggest that up to 150,000 young salmon have died.

The incident will have a significant impact on stocks of juvenile fish, and it has also depleted the adult stock fish which provide the future fish population for the rivers Dee, Alwen and Tryweryn.

Environment Protection Officers from the Agency conducted a detailed investigation and are satisfied that they have identified the source and cause of the pollution, subject to confirmation by laboratory analysis.

An Agency spokesperson said “Once we have confirmation of the cause of the pollution we will consider pursuing formal enforcement action, including the recovery of costs, against those responsible. It is essential that all those who keep potentially polluting materials in this catchment do so in such a way that they cannot cause pollution. The Dee and its tributaries are an extremely sensitive and important environment and we will not hesitate to take action against those whose actions or inaction result in its pollution.”

Source:	Environment Agency Wales
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