Eels begin their life in the ocean, spend most of their lives in fresh inland water or brackish coastal water, before returning to the ocean to spawn and die
Eels begin their life in the ocean, spend most of their lives in fresh inland water or brackish coastal water, before returning to the ocean to spawn and die
A large number of fish died in an as-yet unsolved pollution incident in a Bromley waterway last weekend, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.
The EA and Thames Water are investigating after dead European eels, sticklebacks, gudgeon and stone loach were discovered in the River Pool.
Some large coarse fish, such as chub, roach and dace were also killed.
The affected stretch extends from Cator Park down to the confluence with the River Ravensbourne, covering approximately 3km downstream.
European eels are the ones used in the traditional London food, jellied eels
European eels are the ones used in the traditional London food, jellied eels
The European eel is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as juvenile populations (glass eels) have dropped by up to 95% since the 1980s.
The now elusive species was once common and frequently caught in the River Thames to make eel pies and jellied eels.
The incident has had no impact on public drinking water supplies, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said, but the EA advised members of the public and their animals to avoid the affected stretch of the river.
The agency’s environment officers are continuing to monitor water quality, collect samples, and assess the risk of any ongoing fish mortality, while its fisheries team is assessing the extent of the impact on river wildlife.
The stretch of river is home to European eels, an endangered species
The stretch of river is home to European eels, an endangered species
Thames Water, which operates the local drainage network, said it was “urgently investigating the pollution incident” but its cause is yet to be determined.
The company has deployed aeration at key locations along the River Pool to increase dissolved oxygen levels and help mitigate further impacts.
A Thames Water spokesperson said tests were currently being carried out and it “understands the concerns residents will have”.
Beckenham Town and Copers Cope councillor, Steven Jefferies, praised the EA for reacting swiftly to the “tragic incident”.
He 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.”
The dead fish were found in a waterway in Cator Park, south London
The dead fish were found in a waterway in Cator Park, south London
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