Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has received test results indicating the fish death incident at Lake Meran last week was due to natural causes.
EPA received a report from a member of the public on Monday, 9 January 2017 that thousands of red fin fish about 10-15 centimetres in length, carp and a few yellow belly and cod had died.
EPA North West Acting Manager Danny Childs said an EPA officer collected water samples at the site last week, which were sent off for analysis.
“The results show no chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides, have been detected in the samples which indicate low oxygen levels as the most likely cause of the fish deaths,” he said.
“Clean-up of the site is nearing completion and EPA will continue to work with its partner agencies to conduct further water quality monitoring of the lake.”
“Water quality readings so far have shown improvement in the oxygen levels in the water.”
The community is encouraged to report any pollution to EPA’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).