Environment Canada says no way of knowing what caused fish kills
16 October 2007PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND - There is no way of knowing what killed thousands of fish last summer in two of Prince Edward Island's most pristine rivers, an Environment Canada official said Monday.
David Aggett , enforcement director with federal department, said an extensive analysis of water and sediment taken from the Dunk and Tryon rivers showed higher-than-acceptable levels of some pesticides, but not enough to account for the fish kill.
"We can't act on this one," Aggett said in an interview. "We cannot charge anyone for this one because we just don't have the evidence."
He said that if chemical contamination was a factor, too much time had passed by the time the dead fish were discovered to find any traces. He said the chemicals break down in decomposing fish.
The Tryon River fish kill was reported two days after it took place, and the Dunk River fish kill was reported three days after it occurred. The fish kills occurred in July following heavy rains.
Although no farmers were directly linked to the fish kill, several farmers were cited for violating P.E.I. environment rules.
Source: TheCanadianPress
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