Response to fish deaths in Victorian waterways

The deaths of large numbers of fish are reported in Victorian waterways from time to time. The cause of the deaths often relates to environmental stresses such as low flow conditions, elevated water temperatures, or on occasions pollution. As drought conditions will provide additional environmental stress, it is likely that more fish death events will be reported.

The former Minister for Environment, John Thwaites endorsed the Waterway Incident (Fish Death) Response Guidelines (Adobe PDF file, 201KB) that provide the roles and responsibilities for responding to fish deaths by water management and environment agencies. The Guidelines provide the framework to provide improved response to fish deaths in Victoria.

Public reports of fish deaths can be made to EPA's Pollution Watch Line on 9695 2777 or 1800 444 004. Where possible, the response to any fish death event will be facilitated if the following information can be provided:

• The waterway and location along the waterway of the incident;
• time the incident occurred (recently or some time ago;)
• whether fish are dead or merely affected;
• approximate number of fish dead and whether they are fresh or decomposing;
• whether other fauna are affected or do they appear to be healthy; and
• condition of the waterway, is it flowing, colour, odour etc.

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