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Fish Die-Off in the Thames River

Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:18

photo credit UTRCA Flickr

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority was recently alerted to a large die-off of fish known as the Gizzard Shad in the Thames River.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority was recently alerted to a large die-off of fish in the Thames River.

The fish are known as the Gizzard Shad, and are prone to wintertime die-offs. UTRCA Aquatic Biologist Michelle Fletcher says the fish likely died off because of the cold temperatures.
 
"The most likely cause of the die-off is a combination of stressful winter conditions, high numbers of fish, and the presence of an infectious fish disease called Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in the Gizzard Shad population."

Fletcher says the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is aware of this die-off and does not believe it is related to a spill or environmental pollution.

"To survive the winter, thousands of Gizzard Shad will gather around warm water outputs, such as the outlets from the wastewater treatment plants or underground storm sewer network. However, while a die-off may occur near these sites, it does not mean that it is the result of something released from these sites, such as a spill or environmental pollution." 

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