Goya Dmytryshchak
Hundreds of dead fish and eels have been found in Stony Creek at Yarraville.
People have been told to avoid contact with the water in Stony Creek twice in four days after reports of dead fish and a subsequent oil slick.
The Environment Protection Authority is investigating both incidents.
A water quality alert issued on Friday at 4.30pm stated, “EPA is investigating a fish death event in Stony Creek near the Westgate Golf Course, Yarraville“.
Another alert issued on Monday at 10.10am stated, “EPA is investigating an oil-like substance in Stony Creek near Cala Street, West Footscray. Avoid contact with the water until further notice“.
Friends of Stony Creek secretary Darren Bennetts said there was pungent smell emerging from a drain close to where the dead fish were seen.
“There are literally hundreds of juvenile fish and numerous eels that have died,“ he said.
“There is a cloudy, pungent smelling liquid coming from the drain at St Leonards Avenue. The EPA have been notified and Melbourne Water are also aware.
“So very upsetting to see our recovering ecosystem decimated again.“
The EPA attended the scene following reports of the dead fish but found no clear signs of man-made pollution.
Rainfall can cause a flushing flow that may remove or disturb deoxygenated waters, which may result in natural fish death events, according to the EPA website.
Melbourne Water’s Ben English said “fish kills occur from time to time in Melbourne’s waterways, particularly in the warmer months”.
“Fish kills are typically the result of low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water,” he said.
Suspected fish deaths should be reported to the EPA Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842.
