100 fish found dead in Ilford’s Valentines Park after being starved of oxygen
Dead fish in the lake at Valentines Park, Ilford - Credit: Archant
Another 100 fish have been found dead in Ilford after being starved of oxygen in a park lake.
Rashpal Bhattha, 69, of Empress Avenue, caught sight of the latest victims in Valentines Park, Cranbrook Road on Friday.
“There were between eight and 10 big dead fish floating on the water, about 12 inches long,” said Mr Bhattha who has walked his dog in the park for the past 18 years.
Redbridge Council confirmed on Monday the number of dead fish had exceeded 100.
A council spokesman said: “Some fish at Valentines Park appear to have died due to de-oxygenation of the lake following the recent storms.
“The Environment Agency will be performing tests on the water to confirm this and will also check the water conditions.”
“The Environment Agency has informed us that this is an issue throughout London and they are continuing to monitor the water at the affected sites.”
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Pumps were installed in the lake on Thursday and Friday to circulate the water and replenish oxygen levels.
As reported in the Recorder, around 100 freshwater fish died in a lake at Ilford’s South Park in South Park Road earlier last week because of low oxygen levels.
Gordon Bullock, owner of Redbridge Lakes in Salix Lane, Woodford Green, monitors the oxygen levels in his fishing lakes every morning and evening.
“We haven’t had a problem,” said Mr Bullock. “I’m on the case all the time.”
A dead carp spotted in the main lake last week at Fairlop Waters, Forest Road, Barkingside, was not caused by oxygen deficiency but spawning, Redbridge Council has confirmed.
