15/07/2005 - More than
150 fish have been killed following a pollution
incident on the Bourne Stream in Poole. The
fish, mostly roach, were found in a pond near
Scott Road on Tuesday morning.
Environment Agency investigators were quickly
at the scene after concerned local residents
alerted Poole Borough Council. The pollution
is believed to have been caused by a chemical
spill – probably a detergent.
The dead fish were found in one of a series
of on-stream ponds in the Bourne Valley and
within a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI). It is thought the pollution occurred
the previous day. Local residents reported
seeing soap suds spilling over a nearby weir.
Environment Agency staff will be on site
today taking biological samples to ensure
there has been no long-term damage to fish
and animal life in the stream.
Strangely, not all fish were affected by
the pollution. By far the highest casualties
appear to have been roach. Investigators believe
they have pin-pointed the source of the spill,
but will continue their investigations and
gather further information.
The pollution occurred within an area covered
by the Bourne Stream Partnership that has
carried out a number of environmental projects
on the stream and worked closely with the
local community to improve water quality,
fish stocks and wildlife habitats. The Environment
Agency is a partner in the scheme.
"We appreciate the assistance we have
received from local people who clearly value
the Bourne Stream and were very upset to find
dead and dying fish in one of the ponds. We
would urge members of the public to call the
Environment Agency’s free 24 hour hotline
0800 80 70 60 as soon as possible should they
discover a similar pollution incident,"
said Mark Collett for the Environment Agency.
