City removing fish in section of Zeekoevlei

Published 6th March 2016

City of Cape Town staff are collecting thousands of dead carp in one section of Zeekoevlei. The City warns residents not to eat the fish and urges members of the public to stay clear of the area while the fish are being collected. Read more below:

It is estimated that approximately 5 000 individual fish or 6 to 7 tons of fish have died of suspected natural causes. More bodies are being discovered as the fish bloat and rise to the surface.

Fish kills, which refer to a localised die-off of fish populations, often occur at this time of the year with the change of seasons when water levels are low and temperatures are high. Fish sometimes become stressed during breeding and they may pass on infectious disease due to the grouping of large numbers of adult fish together.

The cause of the kill is being ascertained but natural causes are suspected. Lab results today of samples taken yesterday indicate low traces of algal toxins well below the guideline limits in the affected area.

Samples taken this afternoon indicate no toxins present in the affected area.

The fish bodies are being transported to the City’s Vissershok landfill site.

There has also been a fish kill reported on another unconnected system (Keysers River/Westlake/Zandvlei area).